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With CKD 4 and at 86 I have thus far avoided dialysis and as previously stated do not intend to go down that path. My last eGFR test had a result of 23 and a test today it has slipped to 22. My Creatinine levels have remained at 221.0 and a PSA tumor marker has gone from 0.09 to 0.11 which Gemini tells me is in the normal range. Still doing twice weekly swims, daily walks and morning exercise but am conscious of a vague sense of more easily fatigued and having to be more careful when negotiating stairs. Not sure if this is just age catching up, the effect of the kidney problems or both.
Any other octagenarians out there with similar symptoms?
Hello! You’re doing really well it seems, being 86 and doing all the physical exercises you’re doing. I’m 71 and go to the YMCA only twice a week to do a stretching/exercise class and a yoga chair class. Before that and because of the covid hibernation I was so sedentary I was a huge couch potato. I know that wasn’t good for my disease. I’m stage 3b right now.
I’m a little apprehensive going for a walk since a year ago, while wearing flip flops which I’ll never do again, I fell and hit the side of my face on the pavement. Just the thought of it makes me not want to go for a walk even though I have good tennis shoes. I really need to exercise more though. I do know as we age we do loose our balance more. I have osteoporosis so falling really does scare me.
As far as other symptoms I do get tired in the evenings while watching tv and seem to fall asleep for a little bit. I really don’t have any other symptoms right now. I do eat a plant based diet to help my kidneys and try to drink all the water I’m supposed to but fall short daily.
In my mind I don’t want dialysis either. My dad was living with me when he went through it. It was horrible and it destroyed him. They would take him to dry and he would collapse on his way out of the facility. I’m also not too keen on those huge needles. lol. I know it’s not an easy decision when push comes to shove. I know I’ll have to have a serious conversation with my doctor if and when I get to that point.
Thank you for sharing your journey with us. You keep fighting the good fight Mr. Harry. 💚
Cindy (Team Member)Thank you Cindy Barton for your reply. You may or may not have seen an earlier post in which I copied details of a study at a US Veterans hospital which found that men over 65 who did dialysis lived on average only an extra 9 days than those who didn't but of course spent a lot more time in hospital. All things considered I can forfeit the 9 extra days and avoid all that discomfort, not to mention boredom with all the time spent toing and froing and at the hospital. I live in the tropics where there is also an increased risk of infection.
Sorry about your fall which understandably impacts your loss of confidence in walking. However, physiotherapists recommend a very simple exercise which helps maintain your balancing capabilities. Stand by the back of a chair so you have something to grab if needs be. Stand on one leg and count slowly to 30. Then repeat with other leg. I incorporate this into my morning exercise routine. If you persevere you may soon improve even if you start off a bit shaky and if this enables you to feel confident about walking then that would be great as walking is a very healthy habit.
Twice a week at the YMCA for stretching is good but is there any reason why you can't do the routine at home on the other mornings. There are inexpensive yoga mats one can use at home.
If you are just at CKD 3 and just 71 then regular exercise should see you going for many years. As for drinking. I am recommended to drink 2 litres of water a day. I begin with a large glass of water and a splash of cranberry or apple juice which makes it easier to drink. I also have six cups of weak tea a day with a little milk. A lifelong tea drinker I used to drink strong tea but in deference to my kidneys now drink weak tea and it is easier to get through the fluids that way. I also have plenty of fruit and watermelon.
So, thanks again Cindy for your reply and cheer up. With daily exercise you should still have a lot of living to do.
Yours tropically, HarryGood Day! What a lovely response.
I hadn’t seen the article about men 65 and older and dialysis. I wouldn’t want to go to all that trouble myself for just 9 days either and infection rates being high is just another no thank you.
Thank you for the balance tip. We do practice balance a lot in our stretching class. Our instructor is very good at reminding us to stand tall (she calls it “happy chest”), and keep our head over our shoulders because the head leaning forward is 40 some pounds of weight which can propel you to fall. We focus on core strength too. I wish the class was more than two days a week. On Monday we have the advanced stretch class, then the moderate stretch, and then the chair yoga. On Wednesday we have the moderate stretch and that’s it so I go out and ride the bike for 30 minutes. This coming Wednesday she is going to teach a line dancing class after stretch so that will be good cardio and coordination. As far as doing the exercises at home my sad answer is I’m lazy and unmotivated at home. 🙈. I know what I need to do but don’t do it. Epic fail 🤣
You have a great day and keep up the good fight 💚 Cindy (TM)
