Hi all during a recent CAt scan to check for fibroids.The doctors discovered that I had a lot of cysts literally all over my kidneys and some also covered my liver.I havnt seen a nephrologist yet but the surgeon who saw me said it is something I have had for long.So won't be seeing nephrologist for another three months.I have had pain in my right side for almost twenty years now.Recently pain started on the left too.I have heart palpitations sometimes.I have been diagnosed with high cholesterol and high blood pressure.The doctors havnt put me on any mess yet.I am 41 female and have three children.My kidneys seem good on paper.Doctir says kidney function is fine.Liver is fine no infections.Urine is fine.
I am so worried I can hardly sleep.
Please does anyone have the same symptoms as I do.
Do you know how fast it can take to change from good kidney function to bad?
Was Diagnosed at age 20 with PKD I’m 53 now
Gross hydronephrosis 
INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY 
Daughter just diagnosed at 20, should we have genetic testing done?
First of all, take a deep breath. PKD is a slowly progressing condition. If your kidney function is fine, it will not deteriorate from one day to the next. Do not worry too much. Stress is not good for you and your kidneys.
First thing you should target is your high blood pressure. This should be managed and controlled.
Smoking, being sedentary and/or oerweight and drinking more alcohol than recommended by health authorities are issues you can correct on your own, if they should apply. You can also start to drink more water and reduce your salt and sugar intake.
Good luck,
P.
Thanks for the reply.Been hoping someone will. I do not smoke or drink at all.I am not overweight.I will visit my doctor and insist they start me on the blood pressure meds.Also have to work on my diet.Now that is so difficult. Has anyone found out if going vegan can help?
There have been some studies done that imply that a better diet can reduce the progression of PKD, so I am trying to watch mine mainly from a salt and sugar perspective while trying to get my weight down. Exercise comes into that equation as well. I guess this disease just makes discipline become key to your life, which is a good thing. Your doctor might also prescribe a statin to help you with the cholesterol. For some reason that seems to accompany PKD but I'm not sure why!
I decided to go wholefood vegan a little while ago. This means to remove all processed foods, all animal products, White products (sugar and flours), and seriously limit all oils. I have recently started doing intermittent fasting and exercise a lot more (walking, and c25k). I drink at least 3ltrs filtered water everyday. It's really hard to see whether it's had any impact on my kidneys themselves, but my BP is constantly low now (117/70, when it used to be regularly 130/140s, sometimes higher) I'm hoping that in time I may even come off all meds. I've lost 3 stone, still 2 to go. I have so much more energy, I sleep better, I've not had aches in my kidneys for a while now. It's a hard lifestyle, especially when you're out and about, but I'll do the best I can, often will do vegetarian rather than vegan. But at home I'm very strict. I used to be terrible, no exercise, dreadful diet etc, and was, I think, heading for big trouble. Pains in chest, out of breath easily, asthmatic, kidneys ached all the time. Now all those symptoms are gone. Definitely recommend doing it for feelings of well being. I'm 49, still have good kidney function. Fingers crossed.
Try the dash diet. It is recommended for high blood pressure and my Neph. Recommends it. Before starting discuss with your doctor