Diet and symptoms question

[TCOU]

Hi as previously posted, I am newly diagnosed-stage 3, GFR 54. What are the symptoms of kidney disease to look out for? Also how much sodium is ok daily? I would appreciate any info you could give me. Thanks!

[Tonia]

Re: Diet and symptoms question

I read your other posts. Generally most people don't have symptoms at stage 3 ckd. Anemia may be the most common. In your other post you mentioned having anemia your entire adult life. There are different forms of treatment depending on severity. I would be questioning my Dr. if anemia wasn't controlled. I have controlled high blood pressure and my sodium intake is suppose to be under 1500mg daily. Your Dr. should recommend a level that is good for you. You questioned diet in another post. Diet is important at all stages but it depends on your individual labs. You wouldn't want to eat a renal diet intended for people on dialysis as this diet would not be healthy for you at this stage. I balance a heart healthy diet along with a kidney diet, watching protein, potassium and sodium.That diet works for me but may not for someone else. Eating in moderation at stage 3 is generally acceptable unless you have more significant problems that show up on your labs. Some people spill protein so the amount of daily protein is limited. I think you mentioned phosphorous has to be limited for you.

It's always best to get your information from your Dr. or dietician. You don't want to limit too much or you can end up with other health issues.

Happy Easter!

Sorry, I see you didn't say you have high phos. in another post.

[TCOU]

Re: Diet and symptoms question

Thanks for the reply, Tonia... Happy Easter to you too! One thing that I am really wondering is .... How long can I expect to stay at stage 3 if diet is followed and blood pressure maintained?

[Tonia]

Re: Diet and symptoms question

Your welcome TCOU. My Drs. told me I could stay there for 20yrs. I've seen people on this site maintain the same GFR for yrs. even in stage 4. That question bothered me the most for the first yr. after diagnosis. In time I learned to relax and focus on staying as healthy as possible. It's great that your taking a proactive approach!

Toni

[liz]

Re: Diet and symptoms question

Hi I am at stage 3 and have been put on a renal diet .I am about to starve to death. This is what I get for a day .1/2 cup of milk, 2 fruits, 4oz of animal protien ,6 carbs and 1 1/2 cups of veggies cooked . Being 58 and on diets in my life I never knew vegtables have protien.Is anyone elses diet restriced this much. It's hard to cook for my family and for myself. I fell like I'm seperated from everyone at the dinner table. Eating is such a social thing for our family. My son and daughter n law are very supportive and said dont make anything different we will eat like you do so we can experience a little of the adjustment you are going through. My husband on the other hand is in total denial and thinks if we dont talk about it and nothing changes there is nothing wrong!!! i should have known this is how he would react I've been married to him for 33 years. I dont know how to stop the tears and this sadness I have. Does or did anyone else go through these feeling when they were first diagnosed? Has anyone else not known until they were at stage 3. I can't believe nothing had shown up befope my gfr started dropping ? I would like to know if I'm the only one that has experienced this. I started taking a drug for Lupus I guess finally they decided I have it .Thanks for listening and I appreciate all the info on this site. Thanks Tonia for hope in your word about staying at the same gfr I pray we all stay at the same gfr !!!!!!!

[Madi's Granny]

Re: Diet and symptoms question

I didn't find out that I had CKD until I was stage 3. My GFR was 46. I felt really lost and dpressed when I found out. I was a big blow to me. Having to change the way you eaten all your life is hard but you can get used to it. I have researched CKD here and on line. You have found a good place to come and ask questions. This forum has helped me lots to adjust to my new life. There are people here with all stages of CKD. Feel free to ask questions. I think the more you know about CKD the better. I have managed to raise my GFR to 55 in just over 1 year. As for the different diets, my husband and I can't eat the same things becasuse he is watching his sugar. He's kind of like your husband if you don't talk about it it well go away. But it doesn't. Talking really helps me. So if he wont' talk about it I come here and talk to the people here. I think your son and daughter in law are really trying to be supportive. It's more than what a fot of young people would do.

[TCOU]

Re: Diet and symptoms question

It's so great to hear from others who are going through the same thing as me. I just found out couple weeks ago and I have been crying and not sleeping well. Turning 49 was already hard because that's the age my mom died of a heart attack. I moved to Minnesota from Texas two years ago for my husband's job and left a job I love, all my friends, children etc...I hate cold weather and all I want to do right now is pack it up and go back home. I feel isolated and alone here. I now have a new granddaughter back in Texas that is my joy --it's so hard for me to be so far away and now this... My husband has been very supportive of the diet changes, but he's not a talker so it's nice to have a place to vent.

Southern food/Tex Mex is such a part of my life and my family's life. Even though I have been on medication for high blood pressure 6 years& my blood pressure has been under control, giving up my salty fried foods is probably going to be the hardest. But the recipes on this website are very good and I am determined to follow a healthier diet and do what I can to combat this. Just in the two weeks I have cut my sodium my blood pressure is dropping and I think I might be able to lower my medicine if I continue on this diet. I was one of those people that would rather exercise more than give up my french fries.

In the five years prior to having to move here, we went through addiction with our youngest daughter from the ages of 17-22. She is doing great now and alanon helped me a lot too. I know a lot about denial, as I coped for the first couple of years of her drug use with that. Of course it backfired eventually. It's hard to deal with something possibly life threatening going on with someone you love. We have been through a lot. We just got the debt paid off from her rehabs etc and within days got the kidney news out of the blue. I just didn't see this coming.

The one thing I have learned and know is that I can't control everything and need to focus on what I can do. Easier said than done, I know. Reaching out to this forum is my hopes that I can have some support and a place to learn and not feel so alone. Thank you all for the responses and taking the time to read my posts. It means a lot.

[TCOU]

Re: Diet and symptoms question

Hi Liz,

I am new to CKD, but that does not sound like a lot of food to me. Is that because of the Lupus? How did they determine yours was Lupus? I haven't been to a specialist or dietician, just trying to eat the recipes and lower my sodium.

[TCOU]

Re: Diet and symptoms question

Madi's Granny,
Did you raise your GFR from following the diet? How long ago were you diagnosed stage3 ?

[Madi's Granny]

Re: Diet and symptoms question

I have followed the diet and given up taking Advil and Aleves. I think both have helped me raise my GFR. But sometimes I think giving up the NSAIDS helped the most. Really who knows? I watch my sodium reallly well. That's the only things my Neph says to watch right now. I do at times spill a lot of protein into my urine. Even though I wasn't told to watch my protein I still do. I do know that changing ones eating habits is very difficult. My husband blood sugar is almost 100 so he was told to watch his sugar intake but at times I think he thinks it will all be all right if he doesn't. I used to preach to him about it but I think I was making things worse. He's doing all right now on his own. I have just put my mind to it and just watch what I eat or drink. When I was a teenager, my 8 year old cousin who I am very close to develop type 1 diabetis. She learned to watch her diet and take her insulin and is still doing very well today years later. So I figure if an eight year old can do it sucessufullly so can a 58 year old.

[liz]

Re: Diet and symptoms question

Thank you all for responding. I have been seeing a rhumatologist since Aug 2011 when I had severe swelling. first my thumbs were so sore Icouldn't move them , a few days later i woke up in the middle of the night with my wrists doing the same thing , then it l spread to my whole body. went to my gp and he ran some tests and said he thought I had lupus. He sent me to the rhumatoligst. She ran test and said she didnt think it was lupus because i didnt have "all" the symptoms. In Aug my gfr was 59 it dropped to 48 in January and then to 42 in March. They decided because my Kidneys were failing maybe the drop was because I did have Lupus, I dont think she is sure ,but , hoping the meds and diet will help to slow more failure. The diet is from a renal dietician and not because of lupus.I am on plaquinill for it, we will see if it helps. I see my neph.in 2 weeks and labs this week. I have also made an apt with another Neph for a second opinion. I'm relived that my feelings are normal. I found Kidney school .com to help alot. It's very informative I wish us all staying power! I will be traveling in May and worried about eating right .I think the sodium is gonna be the problem. Any suggestions and has anyone had this challenge? I will speak to my dietician about any suggestions but you all have been there and maybe have some tips. Thanks