Feeling down. Kidney disease

No experience to share, but sorry that you are unwell.

Sorry to hear that, Antonia. I don't have any experience of it either, but hope it's not as serious as you fear.
Keep us up-dated.

Hope the results of the second blood test are better and your worry is put to rest. Sorry have no experience if this but perhaps get in touch with contact diabetes or kidney charity for advice, but in the meantime try not to worry, it may be fine. Hope so.

Thank you for all your replies, I will post again when I know more.

Good thing you are being referred to a specialist and that this has been picked up. Perhaps cut down on salt and drink some water. Try not to worry it will get sorted.

Thank you loopyloo.

I have monthly blood tests because of medication I take. For over 20 years I've had stage 3 kidney disease. Without the blood tests I woudn't have had any idea I had a disease that sounded terrifying.
My GP said most people by their mid 60's are diagnosed with kidney disease or with less than optimal kidney function. Additionally, the goal posts moved some years ago with the result more of us are diagnosed. Try not to worry Antonia. I'm occasionally sent for scans to make sure things are still ok and so far, so good.

I have happily taken a NSAID for the last ten years, maximum dose but it worked for ankylosising spondylitis. I have to stop taking my medication and any otherNSAID as the kidneys have begun to be damaged.
Apparently anyone in their 70’s or late 60’s who take NSAID, that includes Ibuprofen, are at risk.

Iam64 your post has so cheered me up! Thank you for taking the time to reply. I have an appointment early January for a scan, which I am not particularly looking for forward to, but you have made me realise that this diagnosis is not the dreadful bogeyman I was thinking. I only wish my own gp could have been a bit more reassuring. I asked if he could give me any kind of reassurement and he baldy told me, no he couldn't. He is mention a period of 15 to 20 years which made me feel a bit better, but I am quite certain that he has no idea how much this diagnosis has affected me and my family. I have been very hard put to go about my daily life without this sense of dread hanging over me all the time. I got the impression from the gp that I was no more than a set of figures on a chart.

Some GP's have better people skills, or what used to be called 'bedside manner' I suppose. If you're in a group practice, try a different doctor there.

Hello all, I changed my username but I am the Antonia who originally posted in 2017.

An update on my kidneys. I am now (just) at stage 4. I don't worry about it as much now,but I do experience a lot of sleepiness. I usually have a nap of up to 3 hours after breakfast, after which I feel more energized.
Is anyone else at stage 4 and how is it affecting you?

Antonia not having enough water in your system can bring up a blood test result that would diagnose you as having chronic kidney disease, I’ve had it so had DH. Whilst it may not be the case, mostly the blood test can be dramatically improved just by drinking more water on the day of the test.
In other words, drink more water,

So sorry I typed my reply without realise this was an old thread. I was replying to the original post.

I’ve been stage three since being diagnosed in my early forties. I’m 76 and bloods eight weekly tell me I occasionally head to stage four but - drinking a couple of pints of water between 7am 7 pm keeps me at stage three

After my annual routine blood test a year ago, the surgery pharmacist rang to tell me I had chronic kidney disease stage3a. She then said it was nothing to worry about , most people my age (82) have it. Her advice was to drink more water and have continue having annual tests. She agreed with me that the problem with drinking more water is the lack of public toilets.

fancyflowers
My efgr is 28 and was told that suggests I have entered stage 4. My GP contacted a nephrologist but she said I am stable so doesn't need to see me but on FB groups people seem to see 'them' and they are stage 3b.
I try to drink a litre + but sometimes forget. I don't have symptoms fortunately.

Thank you for all your replies. I try to drink a lot - mainly at night, and I had a kidney ultrasound scan this morning, so I'll see what that brings up. I do appreciate all your answers.

Just to say my mother had chronic kidney disease (among other health issues) but she passed away at 104. It may not be as life- threatening as it sounds. Good luck with managing it.

Polycystic kidney disease runs in my family. My grandmother, mother, aunt and cousin all had it or have it.
My brother and I have had scans and so far so good.
Grandmother and aunt both lived to almost 90, managing on one kidney. Sadly my mum died aged 72, but she had other health issues exacerbated by the PKD.

I hope all goes well with managing you condition. 💐