CKD Stage 4

Kidney and urinary tract
1

HI, My name is Deborah,

I have been diagnosed with the above. I have been researching but would like to talk to someone who is going through the same or has been through the same

2

Hi Deborah

There are really good support groups for patients with chronic kidney disease. These include the National Kidney Federation and the British Kidney Patient Association. Hope these are useful.

Tarun (hospital pharmacist)

3

Thankyou Tarunhi

4

Hi Deborah,

I have been told in the past or seen it in reports that I have CKD and am on 16 mg amias daily to deal with high BP. Recently had an abdominal investigation and the anaesthetist said I could not have a general anaesthetic via mouth because of the state of my neck and my kidney function! I asked what was the matter with it and she replied "bad" I asked " how bad" and she answered " it is not good". She also told me not to drink tea because it is a diuretic.

I still have quite a bit of pain and am wondering what to do next., if anything.

I have to return for post op assessment tomorrow, but it is a colo-rectal clinic so don't expect to get any feedback other than on my op.

So far nobody has said anything apart from the fact that my kidneys are not functioning too well, but since I am a sole carer for my elderly husband I want to do everything possible to help myself.Any suggestions?

Jenny

5

Hi, I am diagnosed with CKD stage 4 and would be happy to talk to you

6

Hi, I am not sure how bad I am, but am having the result of latest blood test on Monday. My old doctor was worried because of hospital comments, but the new is keeping quiet until she sees what is going on.

I really know nothing about CKD just that you cannot reverse it, but everything wears out in time! Is there anywhere where I can find a comprehensive explanation of what it all means?

I am now on candersartan and monoxonidine for my high BP which is refusing to drop.

Jenny

7

Hi

I have CKD3 (Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 3) and just one kidney.

Am under a renal consultant for treatment for my high BP which went off the screen after the stresses of serious family health events in the last 18 months.

Took Amlodipine for 2 months but came off it due to swollen ankles and uncomfortable legs. Then started Adizem XL (Diltiazem) but although it has also caused swollen ankles, it has failed to reduce my BP to normal so Ramipril has just been added.

Jenny - have you had an MRI to check whether the arteries to the kidneys have narrowed, as I understand this can be a cause of high blood pressure not responding to medication?

The consultant has said that my kidney function will deteriorate further initially but will be protected by the Ramipril in the long term - having difficulty getting my head around this, fearing the worsening of my CKD.

8

Hi,

I am 27 years old, I have CKD stage 4, I have a 4 month old baby which has affected my kidneys even more so, I was stage 3 prior to having him, before I had my son my kidneys were 20cm enlarged and now they are 30cm. My bp is controlled through losaratan, nifedipine and bisoprolol.

I am happy to talk to anyone who has any questions, or would like to share info

Thanks

9

Hello 5545

That's so kind of you to offer support to others with CKD, especially when you have so much to contend with yourself and at such a young age.

I would just like to say belated congratulations on the birth of your young son and wish you all the luck in the future.

MrsO

10

I am diagnosed stage 4 also. I am 58 years young and absolutely flabbergasted by the news... Am having a very difficult time accepting it all...I don't look sick...only exhibit some symptoms... I feel lost... It is as though I have been handed a lot of overwhelming information and don't know what to do with it. I am seeing a nephrologists...my gfr is 27

11

Hi folks

I was diagnosed with stage 3 CKD. For the past 18 months I have been taking one teaspoon of bicarbonate soda in a glass of water twice a day - there has been no progression since. You won't get better but you won't get any worse - the CKD is on hold. I got this information from a study done by a hospital in London. It works for me and I hope you too.

12

Ian, that's really interesting and I have heard that recommendation from someone else with CKD. The only problem for me is that, although I have never added salt to my diet in the past and a kidney consultant has told me not not to add it in the future either because of my high blood pressure. Therefore, I wonder if sodium could be just as bad for my high BP. Do you know what your kidney function (eGFR) reads, as apparently it's quite common for many older people to be diagnosed with CKD3 (a reading of somewhere below 60)? Do hope things continue smoothly for you.

13

Hi everyone,

I see there are quite a few of you now, I have been without the Internet for a while.

I wouldn't take bicarb if I were you, not with raised BP.

I also have high BP.

My kidney function is now at 13, and am getting ready for dialysis, my function was at 15 in Dec, it's getting quite close now.

I still feel quite well, I do suffer with tiredness, nausea and I also have other health issues due to my kidneys failing.

Do any of you know what type of disease you have?

14

I also have high BP which is controlled by medication. And interestingly enough one of the key meds for kidney disease contains bicarb. I did not want to go on dialysis so bicarb has done that for me. After looking at the study done in London, I thought nothing ventured - nothing gained. God has given us free will to make our own choices and we live or die by them. It's having the knowledge available to make those choices which varies from person to person. To interfere with a person's choice is to interfere with God's will for us. I gathered the information and made my choice - it is up to others to do the same.

15

I think it also depends on what type of kidney disease you have.

If someone asks for your opinion or advice then surely that's not interfering. As for God, we all have our own beliefs ' or not'.

16

My belief is to provide information only and stay out of the decision making process. Everyone has an opinion as dogs have tails. Let the professionals and the individual come to their own conclusions based upon unbiased information. I find little objectivity in the term "...if I were you".

17

Hello, stabilizing your kidneys get a subscription for bi carbonate of soda and nite the following:

Sodium bicarbonate is not only an excellent chemotherapy, bringing as it does higher O2 levels through increased alkalinity to the cells, it is also one of the most basic medicines we have for kidney disease. New research by British scientists at the Royal London Hospital shows that sodium bicarbonate can dramatically slow....

Your kidneys make 200 grams a day, in Oder to neutralize acids. Suggest a more vegetarian diet, and to substitute cheese suggest trying vegan products from a Swiss Company (fast delivery from the Uk office) called Vegusto.

My husband is at stage 4/5 and this has helped a lot. We are now trying to repair and detox his

kidneys with Ayurvedec medicine (4th day), will post results after further

blood tests. He is not on dialysis, and want to stay clear of it. He cannot have a transplant, and he is 71. With high blood pressure.

Wish you the best, I research this matter nearly every day, the best hope is for the kidneys to repair

themselves with our help. Right kidney foods are vital, you need to do something right now about what you

eat and little wine.....none is better.

Diana

18

Hello Diana

Your post is helpful especially as it adds weight to ionto's recommendation for Bicarb in his above post. Plus I found it very interesting as you mention your husband, like me, also has high BP.

Have you been able to confirm with any heart/kidney experts that the bicarb of soda won't further increase the blood pressure please?

All the best to your husband.

19

Hello Mrs O

“A daily dose of baking soda could help patients with chronic kidney disease avoid having to undergo dialysis,” reported The Times. It said that research has found that sodium bicarbonate can dramatically slow the progress of the condition. The newspaper said that patients given a small daily dose of sodium bicarbonate over a year, had only two-thirds of the decline in kidney function

The study related to kidney disease research indicates that baking soda prevents a worsening of kidney disease and renal failure in patients already with kidney disease. Baking soda has been shown to slow the decline of kidney function in CKD, according to a study published in the current issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN).

My husband has high blood pressure, baking soda was prescribed by our renal specialist and takes 2000 mg per day, at lunch and supper 100 mg. ask your GP....

Diana

Good luck,

Diana

20

Mrs O

That should have read 1000 mg at lunch and super...

Diana