What are some lingering questions you have about CKD?
All questions are safe here. What would you like to know about chronic kidney disease? Post your question here and our health leaders and community members will answer the best they can!
What does it feel like does it make you feel very sick does it make you feel dizzy weak
I didn't have any symptoms and by the time I was diagnosed my gfr was <40 
hello! Yes this is very common not to have any symptoms. That’s why so many folks have no clue what’s going on with their kidneys. A yearly checkup is always good. Unfortunately the symptoms come later on late stage 3 or into stage 4. You can slow the progression down with a plant based diet (I always recommend a certified renal dietitian and most insurance companies will pay for this if referred by a doctor for CKD) and always drink your allotted water. If your doctor hasn’t told you an amount ask him. Rule of thumb I was told was 1/2 your body weight in ounces so I am supposed to drink 64 oz a day. Also, some doctors (mine does) use a medicine called an ARB or an ACE heart drug to help your kidneys. I’m on lisinopril. Talk to your doctor about that and see what they say.
Keep us informed and we are here to help and give support all we can. Keep fighting the good fight 💚 Merry Christmas. Cindy (Team Member)
Hello
, Those are excellent questions. Most people don't have any symptoms. They usually find out by just going to the doctor for a routine check-up or by accident. I know for me, it was during a yearly checkup. We are all different of course, and some people might have symptoms. I know with my son he was having a lot of swelling, but no other symptoms. My father is stage 4 and feels great, but again, we are all different.
It's best to see a doctor to see what is going on. How are you doing? We would like to hear from you. Diane (Team Member)
I'm fine thankyou but I was in the hospital three days just came home on Monday the 12th my creatine level was a 3.00 and my kidney doctor called me and said the hospital was calling me when a bed was ready I went they did a lot of blood work and my primary doctor and kidney doctor said I was taking too much medicine to but I have edema and high blood pressure and afib so the hospital was giving me saline through the IV and I came down to a 1.00 in my creatine level because my kidney doctor said he was gonna do a biopsy but he didn't but I think this problem I have i runs in my family because my mom died of kidney failure and Im 63 yrs old and I have a sister that's 71 yrs old and she told me she has cysts on her kidneys but I'm glad my kidney doctor got it elevated now🙏🙏 Hello
, so sorry you have been in the hospital, but glad you are on now. I had to get off some medications also. They said it was affecting my kidneys. My grandma, father, cousins, and son also have CKD. I guess it runs in our family too. I pray you get better. Stay in touch with the community. Do you have to make any lifestyle changes at this time? We would like to hear more from you. Diane (Team Member)
Why does my egfr fluctuate up and down and so does my creatine level goes up and down one minute iam in normal levels and the next time everything drops low iam having a hard time understanding this
I was diagnosed in june of 2023 I was stage 4 however my kidney functions fluctuate up and down for example my creatine would be at 2.36 and my egfr would be 21 then the next bloodwork I get my egfr came up to 55 then my creatine went down to 1.01 that is a big jump I just don't understand why I fluctuate so much iam trying my best to I watch my salt my potassium is in normal range my phosphorus is in normal range am I doing something wrong to make my kidney function fluctuate like that iam really frustrated any advice would be great
thank you Hi! I don’t know if I can say I crave salt. I do crave sweets!!! Big problem I just love my sweets. I wasn’t a big salter anyway. I really never added extra salt to anything. I’ve found some great no salt low salt sauces I use and of course the Mrs Dash products. It’s definitely hard I get it. Have you found any ways to help you curb that craving? Do you use an app like Chronometer to track how much sodium you are getting in a day? That free app is amazing. Let us know. Cindy (Team Member)
