How I Manage My Brain Fog From CKD

Since being diagnosed with CKD, I've been in stage 5 and have gotten both dialysis and kidney transplant. Being on dialysis and having a transplant twice, I've noticed my body is dealing with symptoms differently. Still, there are a few things that seem to be a symptom that always comes with being on dialysis and transplant.

Mainly, brain fog is a frustrating condition characterized by confusion, forgetfulness, and a lack of focus. My brain is burnt out, but it's still functional. It's just another uncontrollable system for patients. It feels like my thoughts, knowledge, memories, and language are locked in a box to which I'm never getting the key. It's frustrating just trying to google something, but your signal keeps tripping up and not loading the page.

Dietary changes I've made to manage my brain fog

• Staying hydrated - Dehydration can make my brain fog much worse. To combat this, I try to have 2 to 3 liters of water a day.
• A balanced blood sugar - I avoid sugary snacks, which truthfully, is easy for me as I don't have a sweet tooth. I opt for foods with more carbohydrates that relieve more energy, including fiber rich foods like vegetables, whole grains and legumes, which are always great for fresh meals.
• Healthy fats - I didn't know how much of a difference it made when I added Omega 3 fatty acids into my diet from fatty acids found in fish, walnuts, whole grains and flaxseeds.
• Antioxidant foods - I usually eat green vegetables like spinach and greens. I cook them with just water. I also eat my green vegetables without seasoning - I like them freshly boiled.
• B vitamins - Foods with B vitamins can be great for the brain. I like having eggs, lean meats, and cereals containing minerals.
• Limiting processed foods - I have found that having too much processed food makes me feel so crappy, I've started to cut back on it. Even though it's an easy meal, it's just too much for my body.

Lifestyle changes I have made

As I've made more changes to my diet to manage my brain fog, I've also embraced lifestyle changes. This shift, coupled with my doctors' decision to limit my medication, has given me a renewed sense of hope and a chance to focus on my overall well-being.

• Exercise - For 30 minutes a day, I do a mild exercise, from yoga to taking a long walk to even doing light at-home exercise on YouTube, as everything is accessible. Twice a week, I do a 45-minute swimming session, but there are times I'm exhausted and can't get out of bed, so I aim to spit the half an hour from 15 minutes after breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Sleep - For me, sleep is not just a luxury, it's a necessity. A good night's sleep is like a reset button for my brain and body, making it easier for me to manage my symptoms the next day. I'm working towards a time when I won't need painkillers to sleep, but for now, I cherish every well-rested 8-hour night I get.
• Stress management - I also include other things, such as stress management through meditation, deep breathing, or yoga, mental stimulation from games and socializing, and medical management to review, monitor, and take supplements if my renal team suggests it.

There are times when I lose motivation, but doing even a few on my last day is a big win for me.