CKD stage 3 - no support only leaflets.

Oh dear.

Just out of interest how did you discover this and did you experience pain in her lower back?

I understand that you discovered it by seeing it recorded on your NHS app, is that right?

I don’t know about CKD but have had kidney stones more than once, latest bout as recently as last year so I aim to drink 2 litres of water a day. I have a 1L bottle marked in 200 ml sections and I find that helps keep me on track and acts as a reminder throughout the day. I drink water on waking and then throughout the day.

All the best in your endeavour to look after your kidneys.

I have stage 3 CKD. I drink water and and try, not successfully at times to eat healthily. I carry on as normal.

Would your practice Dietician be able to advise?

Have you discussed this with your GP? My DH has it and the GP was very re-assuring. He was told not to worry and just ensure he drank plenty of water.

Cossy, I was just browsing through the NHS app on my phone when I spotted a heading called Conditions. Not sure why I clicked on it but was shocked to see Sept 25th Chronic Kidney Disease stage 3. Thought it must be a mistake. The surgery hadn’t mentioned it to me so I’ve been merrily going about life as if nothing wrong.for past 8 months. Rang the surgery and have since had a call with doctor who is quite relaxed about it. Received a pack of 20 or so pamphlets and have had lots of questions answered by ChatGPT. Problem I’m finding is the contradictions in what to eat and not to eat. Many of the articles I’ve read say check with your kidney team, which I don’t have.
Thank you for your replies above, perhaps I’m taking this all too seriously and should relax a bit, just terrified of getting to stage 4 and dialysis.

I thought I had a healthy diet but can no longer eat avocados, sweet potatoes, bananas, tomatoes and many other weekly staples. Too high in potassium. Or can I??

Maremia, I don’t think my practice has a dietician but will definitely ask, thanks .

Greenfinch, I’ve had a call with my GP who said pretty much the same as yours, don’t worry and drink lots of water. Problem is, once I started researching it seems to be more serious than that. I’ve been sticking to all the new rules, no salt in any foods, no dairy, no bananas, tomatoes or avocados. Tonight I buckled and ate an ice cream!

This is the first time on this forum, hope I’m doing it correctly,.

Rafichagran, I think I should do more of your regime, I might be taking it all to the extreme.,

Retread, many thanks for your good wishes and I wish the same to you. Must say I had never even given my kidneys a second thought before, now they dominate my every waking moment!
Yes found out by stumbling on it on the app, 8 months after diagnosis.
Have the water pretty much under control as you have. I’ve marked a water jug at 2 litres and get through it but need to take less at night as I’m getting up more.
Thanks again.

Jrose

Cossy, I was just browsing through the NHS app on my phone when I spotted a heading called Conditions. Not sure why I clicked on it but was shocked to see Sept 25th Chronic Kidney Disease stage 3. Thought it must be a mistake. The surgery hadn’t mentioned it to me so I’ve been merrily going about life as if nothing wrong.for past 8 months. Rang the surgery and have since had a call with doctor who is quite relaxed about it. Received a pack of 20 or so pamphlets and have had lots of questions answered by ChatGPT. Problem I’m finding is the contradictions in what to eat and not to eat. Many of the articles I’ve read say check with your kidney team, which I don’t have.
Thank you for your replies above, perhaps I’m taking this all too seriously and should relax a bit, just terrified of getting to stage 4 and dialysis.

Thank you for responding.

I am so sorry you discovered this condition in this way.

I discovered my mother’s CKD stage 3 by browsing her GP records, she has huge issues with keeping well hydrated, but had a fairly healthy diet but did test a few times with low potassium levels. Both my daughter and I encouraged her to drink more water, it was a struggle for her.

I’ve just checked on my latest blood tests (from last December) and found I had borderline kidney results. I too struggle to drink enough, I too have a bottle with marks on it and fail most days. I do use fruit squashes, weakly diluted and drink fruit tea.

Last week I started to have pain in my right side lower back, sometime radiating around to my bladder, then about 2 hours of constant vomiting a couple of days later. Pain still here but now a dull ache. Do have a GP appt this Thursday so hopefully will get some answers.

I would urge you to talk to your GP and wish you the best

I was diagnosed with CKD stage 3 about three years ago and given no advice about diet.Three weeks later I had a pacemaker implanted and told to avoid salt and restricted my fluid to 1.5 litres daily,later reduced to 1 and now increased back to 1.5.
Last week a message from my GP told me to halve my Apixaban as I now had stage 4 and make an appointment to discuss my medication.My GP said my reading had been 29 which was stage 4 but had now returned to 32 which was OK.
The thought of having to follow a further diet fills me with dread.Im already type 1 diabetic and recently diagnosed as coeliac. Those diets don't agree with each other.My blood sugar levels are higher than they have ever been.I told my GP that I would be kicking the coeliac diet into touch at a later date.
I'm 82 and been diabetic since 10 years old.
I'm lucky to be alive and I think quality of life is important at my age.You can also add osteoporosis to the equation.
Stage 3 can last a long time and doesn't always progress to Stage 4 ..

Sorry Jrose forgot to wish you all the best.

I was diagnosed as stage three in my early forties. I’m now 77. I know too many bananas can raise results. The best advice I’ve had is to ensure I drink lots of water and not much coffee or tea. Occasionally I tip into stage four, the surgery phone and arrange repeat bloods in two weeks. I up my water intake and I’m back to stage three next time.
Try not to worry.
I have a decent diet. I have RA my consultant isn’t impressed by broad general advice eg cutting out tomato is on every food to avoid with RA list. She says we all react differently to food, as we do to medication. Be guided by your body. I’ve not had red wine or Chinese food for thirty years. I feel awful the following day so don’t do it.n

Jrose you may find this useful:

www.kidneyresearchuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Get-Kidney-Fit-2023-PDF-updated-Digital-version.pdf

I have had CKD 3 for many years, I was advised to reduce salt intake, healthy diet, regular fluids and keeping hydrated, reduce use of ibuprofen - I now only use paracetamol, and manage your blood pressure keeping it within normal ranges for age as high BP puts extra pressure on the kidneys.

As Justwidowed says, Stage 3 doesn’t always progress if you learn to manage it well.

Loads on YouTube about kidney disease.

JRose I found out in a similar way an HCA doing my BP told me! I asked what I what I should do about it and she said 'don't know. ask a doctor'. Armed with this sage advice I rang the GP and he said 'ignore it you won't notice you have it'. So mostly I have although not allowed NSAIDs - really miss the ibuprofen for back pain.

I am in a similar position and am on two blood pressure medicines which are hard on the kidneys. I am monitored with blood tests every three to four weeks. I do avoid all the foods mentioned ( no problem for me avoiding avocados) though reading comments on here I shall have to add tomatoes to my list. I am trying to train myself to dr8nk more and have set Alexa to remind me frequently!

I'm 77 and have just tipped into stage 3a CKD . My understanding is CKD stage 3 is fairly common in people over 65 and doesn't require any specific medication. Kidney function does tend to decline with age. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can damage the kidneys as can a diet high in salt or processed foods. My last blood test showed reduced function but I know I was dehydrated, I'll make sure I stay well hydrated in future especially when I have my regular blood test. Try not to worry Jrose your kidney's may just be showing average age related decline or you may have been dehydrated when you had your blood test.

I was told I had CKD about 10 years ago. I took absolutely no notice.
If I had listened and was told to reduce salt that would have been a joke, I hate the taste of salt.
I fully aware of what kidney failure feels like. My daughter lost a kidney.

foxie48 I posted earlier I’ve been stage three since early forties, I’m now 77/and still stage three. I drink water throughout the day and only one coffee. I eat a varied diet including Tom’s banana and avocado - not all at once or every day
I had a kidney scan recently after a uti. Some wear and tear as we’d expect at your age but nothing to worry about

Thanks Iam64 I'm not at all worried but I did run it past doctor daughter, who knows my diet etc, she said there's absolutely nothing I need to do except stay hydrated. I think it's good that we can see our results on the NHS app but it does seem to cause worry although googling came up with plenty of info that had put my mind at rest. I'm pleased that your kidney function has stayed the same for such a long time fwiw daughter said with confidence, "Mum, I doubt you'll die with kidney failure, it will almost certainly be something else that will get you"

Your daughter sounds a lot like one of mine foxie 🌞