Is it normal to feel really tierd and to... - Early CKD Support

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Is it normal to feel really tierd and to have itchy skin with newly diagnosed CKD stage 3

mathair profile image
20 Replies

I had one kidney removed about 2 months ago for a kidney stone and since then I have been told I have stage 3A CKD. Still trying to get my head around all thats happening .

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mathair
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20 Replies
thebowler profile image
thebowler

yes both symptoms i aIso have mathair.The tierdness could be a sighn of anemia,so get your bloods done ,my itchy skin is mostly my legs but also round my waist. Try non scented soaps

mathair profile image
mathair in reply to thebowler

Thanks to everyone for your replies and suggestions. I will certainly try the E45. thanks

phillen profile image
phillen

yes my husband used to itch terrible when he was stage 3 & 4 & the tiredness is common he had injections for anaemia but felt not much better the itching is caused from the imbalance of electrolytes & increased urea in your blood he feels less itchy since being on dialysis strangely enough! he has tried lots of things for the itching but the best he finds is E45 itch relief (not the dry skin one) expensive but helps (currently on offer in superdrug if thats any help) he stayed in stage 3 for a good few years so you may be ok for a while but yes the symptoms you prescribe are exactly how my husband felt.

Roo_Morgue profile image
Roo_Morgue

My GP says I am stage 3 and I have itchy ankles and always tired. GP says its my CKD, but my last renal consultant says I blame CKD for everything. He says non of my symptoms are due to CKD!! So you might need to speak to your consultant and your GP?

nikityler profile image
nikityler in reply to Roo_Morgue

Roo_Morgue this sounds so familar, my specialist keeps telling me my symptoms too are nothing to do with my Stage 4 PKD!

Being tired is a symtom and will be worse if you are anemic. Itchy skin is also a symtom, when my mum was alive she took garlic capsuls for this, I have yet to try as I only itch when I have an infection. I also have heard E45 itch relief is good.

lemonpaws profile image
lemonpaws

I am also stage 3 and was suffering badly until a couple of days ago. As already said you need to check your iron levels.....I'm on EPO. I have found the best treatment to be cornflour rubbed in the skin or pure coconut oil. A few days ago I went dairy and gluten free and my itching has been gone for 2 days so far.......

damson profile image
damson

Hi mathair

As far as i understand, itching may be due to a build up of phosphates. So it may be good to try and control your diet if you are not already doing so. You may need advise from a renal doc or dietitian. You can also get phosphate binders from the doc. A blood test will reveal whether you have high phosphate levels.

I exercise a lot ( 4 times a week) and feel it helps when i sweat out through my skin. I notice that about 10 mins in to a session, at the stage of starting to sweat, i get very itchy. by the end of a good aerobic session i not only feel better, but it seems to control itching, as i am not very itchy at all, and nearly at end stage renal failure. It seems to me that dietry control is one of the things you can do for yourself. The less work load you put on your kidneys the better.

I hope this helps. Take care. damson

weesprout profile image
weesprout

ive been using eucerin bath and shower with 20% omega and it has really helped with the itching, and it has given me baby soft skin, the down side is it smells like cod liver oil

phillen profile image
phillen

it is so annoying when some consultants say these things are nothing to do with kidney failure when they clearly are my husbands home care nurse said itching is a big problem & tiredness! there are many other symptoms also too numerous to mention so don't let them fob you off by saying they're not!

murdoc04 profile image
murdoc04

urseo deoxy cholic is good for itching it helps distribute the billerubin in the blood which is sometimes the cause but check with your consultant first as its just a thought and may be of help and unsure if it would affect any other meds u may be on, but worth asking at least . hope it helps .

sharonlyn profile image
sharonlyn

i was having heavy itching all over...i was extremely tired all the time...i was barely urinating...no one told me i had poor kidney function...or that i was in danger...i had to see my labs before i saw what was truly happening to me...i self diagnosed my condition by by gfr of 35.12...which would be stage 3b kidney disease...i have seen 3 doctors in the past 10 months and no one warned me...at all...so i went vegan...in the past month and one week i have lost 29.5 pounds...i drink only water...no salt...no sugar...no processed food...no animal products...only low potassium and phosphorous foods...i am not counting of as yet and i will probably have a more stablized diet but so far...i have a huge amount of energy...no itching...i have mental clarity...i only eat when i am hungry...i am urinating more...i don't know where i stand in gfr right now...because i have dropped two of the doctors and i just recently made a new appt with an internal doc...he will have to renew my referrals...i had to call the other gp to make a referral to a kidney specialist as he didnot...pathetic huh...i have made complaints about these doctors via yelp and online but i am planning to make a formal complaint against them to the medical board...i think this is truly appalling that doctors don't guide patients on what to do...why do i need insurance or even the doctor...i have taken the reins back and i won't ever release them again...screw them..:)

sharonlyn profile image
sharonlyn in reply to sharonlyn

also i have got off my blood pressure meds for the most part and even my blood sugar meds...neither of which are good for you...i am still researching all of this..but you can find ways to help you on youtube and the medical journals...which alot are posted online...i wish everyone luck..and trust your gut & intellect before you trust a doctor...which are only expensive technicians...

itzmich profile image
itzmich in reply to sharonlyn

I agree with you. I also had the same experience but listened to the things I read in this forum and change my diet. It took 6 months to change my numbers but went from 36 to 55. Very happy that I changed my eating habits. Even if my numbers didnt change I feel a whole lot better. Good luck on your journey.

Ofuru profile image
Ofuru in reply to itzmich

Hello Itzmich, can I ask how you're doing now? My last GFR was 54, and my legs are currently very itchy. Did a rise in your GFR also improve your overall symptoms? Could you please guide me on the very dietary changes you made? Thank you.

aj2581 profile image
aj2581

I don’t feel tired but I get really itchy.. mostly my back and neck. I am also in stage 3 and I was just diagnosed last year so I know it’s a lot and worry some. Good luck with everything!

hobbyman profile image
hobbyman

Hi

Having downloaded a diet sheet what to eat or not. One of the points that came up is that too much phosphate in your diet can cause itching. It also reduces your calcium level and that can weaken the bones. Your Doctor should have a healthy eating and diet sheet on his/her site. There is probably one on this site.

Chicago919 profile image
Chicago919

I had a kidney removed last year due to a kidney stone as well! And after that they found my other kidney is now in stage 3 CKD. It's been as low as 32 but stabilizing for now at 47. I've been reading and googling everything I can about the diet for CKD, but still not clear on how much animal protein I should have. I know it's very limiting, but want to know specifics! I finally made an appointment with a nutritionist, but can't get in until November. What do you know about this? Thank you!

seabreezegirl profile image
seabreezegirl in reply to Chicago919

Small amount of protein, chicken and fish are good . Some beef . Just a small amount that will fit in palm of your hand for every 24 hours . Most people kidney disease or not eat way too much protein.

Mgt8 profile image
Mgt8

Yes it is, and don't let anyone tell you that it isn't. I got so many consultants telling me I shouldn't be having any symptoms yet, for me to reply, " Well I have, so what can we do about it?"

When I had itchy legs because of my PKD/CKD, I was told by my nurse that it was due to the toxins building up in my body. She recommended drinking more water. (This was before I was on dialysis.)

It was worse at night so I got in the habit of having a bath before bedtime, giving my legs a good rub with an abrasive sponge, patting them dry and using a really plain moisturizer. This resulted in a much better night's sleep.....

Hope this helps..

Mgt

seabreezegirl profile image
seabreezegirl

Make sure you get diet teaching so you know what foods to eat and what foods not to eat . This will really help protect your kidney and slow the disease way down.

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