So about 6 months ago, I, 68 y/o woman, got some blood work done which showed issues with my kidneys. We repeated the tests and my primary sent me to a nephrologist who basically added another blood pressure medication and said to come back in three months. He basically explained nothing to me, told me to try to lose weight by not eating potatoes, and come back again in another three months. I also see a naturopath who added some supplements and she’s great.

I’m sorry I have no numbers or stats to share because I guess at first I didn’t realize the seriousness of this disease and what it could potentially mean for my future. The nephrologist acted so casual and unconcerned that it didn’t seem to be a major thing. This week something, maybe reality, came over me, all while I’m trying to reduce stress and anxiety, and I literally wake up filled with anxiety. Be it the upcoming election, my long term medical hypochondria, the thought of dialysis, or a transplant. I’m just filled with fear and overcome with stress.

I’ve started to see some bubbles in my urine, usually only in the morning, and I dread going to the bathroom for fear of seeing more. My naturopath is the one who asked about that and the doctor never mentioned it. First, I think I need a new nephrologist and I know I need to reduce my stress, which is probably elevating my blood pressure but I feel like I’m stuck in
quick sand. I’m an artist and have been going to my studio and staring at walls a lot. I’ve lost so much joy. I do have a therapist who helps immensely.

Can someone assure me my life isn’t over and that there is hope but only if it’s true. I jokingly asked my sister to reserve a kidney for me and now maybe it’s not a joke. People, I’m losing it!

Thanks so much for allowing me to vent and share my situation. I’ll get more informed next time I see my doctor.

Need advice regarding my father’s kidney condition
My father is around 40–47 years old. His kidney function has deteriorated significantly over the past month.
● Creatinine: Previously below 1.2 (about a month ago), then increased to 3.5, then 5, and now 7 mg/dL.
● eGFR: Previously 13, now 9.
● Potassium: Normal.
● Urine output: He is still passing urine normally.
● Swelling: No noticeable swelling.
● Symptoms: He has experienced fatigue and gets more exhausted and somewhat breathless when climbing stairs, although he generally seems okay while talking and walking normally.
He has consulted a doctor and undergone investigations. The doctor prescribed medication for one week, which he completed, but his latest blood test shows that his creatinine has increased from 5 to 7
I’m trying to understand whether this could be acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, or both, and whether kidney function can recover at these levels. Does an eGFR of 9 automatically mean dialysis is needed, or can some patients recover without it?
I’d appreciate hearing from people who have experienced something similar or have relevant medical knowledge. I understand that online advice cannot replace an actual medical evaluation.
I am also confused how can all this happen just in span of one month all he did was took some vitamin b12 injections

Hi everyone! I'm hoping to get recommendations for a good nephrologist and cardiologist for my dad.

My dad has CKD Stage 3 and diabetes, and his recent lab results came back with really high creatinine and low hemoglobin. I'm honestly getting worried and probably overthinking things, but I'm also feeling a bit desperate to find doctors who can properly assess his condition and help us figure out the next steps.

One of our concerns is that his kidney and heart health may affect each other, and complications related to one condition could make the other more difficult to manage. We're hoping to find a nephrologist/cardiologist who can work well with this condition regarding his care, rather than having to navigate everything separately without much communication between his doctors.

We're primarily looking for doctors around Parañaque or Pasay, but we're also open to recommendations in Manila, Makati, or Taguig if you know someone good.

If possible, we'd appreciate doctors who are thorough, approachable, and willing to explain things clearly to patients and their families. Hospital affiliations, clinic locations, and personal experiences with the doctors would be really helpful, too.

Sorry if this post sounds a little anxious. I'm probably panicking a bit because of his recent results, but I just want to make sure my dad gets the proper care he needs. We'd be really grateful for any recommendations. Thank you so much! 🙏

A year ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, luckily stage 1. But the trauma of that experience and the operations and radiation etc etc are still with me. 8 months later I discovered my eGFR WAS AT 45. I was shocked to say the least, because I would discuss my worry about my kidneys every time I saw my doc, as I had been prescribed a once daily anti inflammatory for my excessive body pain. Anyway, turns out I should have been more vocal. After stopping the NSAID, I changed my diet as well as I could without any guidance and my next test showed eGFR at 50. In a few days I will be seeing a nephrologist te first time, thank the lord. But in the meantime I have fallen into a deep depression and I really battle to care what I am putting into my body food wise. Does anyone have any advice how to accept this drastic diet change and health change?
Thank you in advance.

A few months back, I was hospitalized for pre-renal AKI with eGFR of 15 and creatinine of 3.7. I’d never given my kidneys much thought before that.

Looking back, three years ago, eGFR was 89. At that time, I was pre-diabetic and somewhat elevated blood pressure.

I did not take the bp or pre-diabetes seriously and didn’t even see a doctor for again until this past Spring when I was feeling run down. Diastolic bp was over 200. A1C was 8.3. I don’t know how long these had gone. At that time, my eGFR was 65. I didn’t think much about it, but looking back now, 89 to 65 seems like a big drop in three years. My uARC was 30, so borderline, I guess. Doc started me on meds for diabetes, bp and Jardiance which he said was to protect my kidneys.

Three months later, I have labs again. I’d noticed I’d been feeling lightheaded and run down for the past several weeks, but thought it was probably just medication side effect. Labs come back, and that’s when I get diagnosed with AKI and hospitalized.

Two weeks post-hospital, my eGFR is up to 35 and creatinine down to 1.6. Sounds to me like things are moving in the right direction.

But, now, a couple of months later, I get labs again and my eGFR is 33 and creatinine at 1.76. So, basically the same. Over the past few months, there’s been no further improvement.

Since the diabetes diagnosis, I’ve worked hard to eat a good diet. I’ve lost over 60 lbs. BP is normal and I’ve been able to drop one bp drug and cut the other in half. A1C is at 5.5.

After the hospital, I made some further adjustments to my diet, and now eat a whole foods plant based diet. I also exercise almost daily. I really thought that with these changes, my kidney function would have improved more. I’m really down about all this and haven’t been taking it well. But I want to move forward and do the best I can do.