CKD moving at fast pace
I only found out I had Stage 3A CKD in August. My blood records,when I managed to obtain a copy was headed 'no further action'. I had been taking Ibuprofen for painful knee arthritis for years but I wasn't advised they could affect my kidneys. I complained to my doctor about not being informed and he told me kidneys decrease with age and as my creatinine level was ok it was nothing to worry about. He said I would have a blood test every four months to monitor the situation. I had a blood test last week which now shows my eGFR is 42. That's a drop of 25 % which is very worrying. If it increases at this rate my kidneys will fail this time next year. I don't have diabetes or high blood pressure. I'm fit for my age and play tennis four times a week. I'm 71 years old.
Oh wow I am so so sorry that your medical provider is not informing you of things that could be done to slow that down. Has he told you how important water is to the health of your kidneys as someone with CKD? Did he even tell you how much you should drink a day? My first nephrologist never schooled me in what was best for my kidneys and I went from Stage 2 to one point away from stage 4! This didn’t need to happen. I got a new nephrologist immediately. My doctor explain to me that I need to consume half my body weight in ounces of water so for me it’s 64 ounces a day. Now you need to ask your doctor what you should do. Also, I researched and learned through reputable hospital, clinic, and research sites that a plant based diet is easier on your kidneys and can slow the progression down. Obviously lower your sodium, stay away from all processed foods, red meat (that includes pork), Tylenol, and fast food restaurants. Fresh vegetables and fruits are your go too. Because I spill protein in my urine I only eat animal protein 3 times a week. Animal protein is harder on your kidneys to get those toxins out whereas plant based eating is easier on the kidneys. We want to try and give our damaged kidneys a break right? Sometimes, even with no BP problems a doctor will put a kidney patient on a heart medication called an ACE or an ARB. These drugs have a nice side effect of helping the kidneys. Again, please consult with your nephrologist. You may want to consult with a certified renal dietitian who believes in a plant based diet. Most insurances including Medicare will cover this expense because it’s tied to CKD or diabetes. I hope this helps you some. I’m also 71! Please ask whatever questions you have and we will try to answer them. Keep fighting the good fight 💚 Cindy (Team Member) 
, I am so sorry you are going through this. Our stories are very similar. I will be 67 in a couple of months. I didn't know there was anything wrong with my kidneys until I was just being nosey and looked at my chart. I was told the same thing, not to worry. A year later, my numbers dropped significantly. My eGFR was down to 45. I was then told to change my diet, no salt, lots of water, and exercise. My eGFR is in the 60s now. My numbers did improve. It's good to hear that you are taking good care of yourself. Keep working with your doctor. Let us know how you are doing. Did they tell you to make any diet changes at all? We would like to hear more from you. Diane (Team Member)
