What would you do differently when first being diagnosed with CKD?
Is there anything you would do differently if you were diagnosed with CKD now and what advice would you give to others on dealing with there CKD?
Great Question. I would ask more questions to the doctors and health professionals as young as I was, I took everything blind faith, thinking the doctor knew best, but I should have done my research and asked questions, taking control of my diagnoses instead of others as I do now.
I agree with you 100% I wish I had done my own research because when your young you believe every word of the Drs, consultants ect and sometimes they ain’t always right so being an advocate for your own health is always best
Yes, when first diagnosed in 2014...my doctor was not alarmed so I wasn't alarmed. It took about 2 years for him to tell me to watch the salt. My gfr was gradually going down. Then about 2018 my potassium started to climb and had to watch out for that...to shorten the story my doctor wanted to put me on Jardiance because it was showing to be a game changer for lowering protein in the urine. Trusting him so far i took it for 1 month, had a blood draw within 3 weeks and I had lost 5 gfr points. I stopped taking the drug immediately. I never got those points back. I went on to change my diet completely and tried everything to stop it from falling further. The cause of my kidney disease is Iga...something that you are born with or you just get. My life style was not out of the ordinary. My gfr finally reached stage 5, and I realized I was headed for Dialysis. It's now been 3 months 3 times a week. Tried the home training but that reality was not for me, my husband was trying to be supportive but he was trying to run a very busy seasonal business and spends a lot of time away from home on a daily basis. And I could not see me cannalizing myself on a daily basis. Going to center 3 times a week and its fine!
I am sorry that your doctor was slow to move on preventing the progression of your kidney disease. Unfortunately, most primary care providers are not well versed on chronic kidney disease so instead of immediately referring you to a nephrologist instead of attempting to treat it themselves. I commend you on taking charge of your care in attempting to slow the progression yourself.
I am happy to hear that in-center hemodialysis is working well for you. It can be a challenging process, but it sounds like you are doing great.
I have experience with both in-center and peritoneal dialysis so if you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask me. Which facility are you going to?
Jennifer (Team Member)
I realized I did not answer the question...I wished I had understood what was coming if things continued on the path...and that with IGA it is inevitable that Dialysis is a reality.
Got serious on a renal diet
