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New to CKD and forum

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 10:59 pm
by PDV
I get the impression that this is a forum for Britain and you use different measures but here goes.
Last year my creatinine went up to 1.7. I had an ultrasound that showed my kidneys were OK and six months later it went down to 1.2. I just had another blood test and it went to 1.9. My GP referred me to a kidney specialist who said I have Stage 3 CKD. I have high blood pressure 160/80. I also have edema in my legs after a long day of teaching, The swelling goes away as soon as I get home and relax.
The kidney doc is really evasive when I ask him how long I will live.
Has anyone been in this situation?
Thanks

Re: New to CKD and forum

Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2018 3:58 pm
by wagolynn
Hi PDV,

Your consultant, nor anyone else, can answer your question, 'how long will I live'.

If you have CKD, then yes you are on a downward path but how long it will take for you to move to the next stage varies from patient to patient.

As your kidneys fail your immune system becomes less effective making you prone to catch more minor ailments than usual.
You may also feel tired, have headaches, joint pains, and muscle pains, the oedema will get worse.
Eventually, you will need to dialyse, this is used to keep you functioning while a transplant can be organised.

Transplants are organised differently in different countries, in the UK people donate their kidneys on death or, usually for loved ones, donate a kidney whilst alive.
In some countries kidneys are are bought and sold, for transplant.

This web address will help you to understand a little more.

http://www.kidneypatientguide.org.uk/contents.php

If you find any of this confusing, come back, and I am sure you will get some clarification.

Best wishes.

Re: New to CKD and forum

Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 12:12 pm
by PDV
Thanks for your reply.

Re: New to CKD and forum

Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2018 3:47 pm
by Anniel
I am new on this forum too! i am in UK but spend a lot of time in the Caribbean and have had my renal tests there. My GFR was 60 there but when I came back to UK it was only 37.

Can some knowledgeable person tell me how to convert my USA figure of 60 to UK values?

It needs to be a simple conversion if there is one!

Thanks

Anniel

Re: New to CKD and forum

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2018 4:03 pm
by wagolynn
Hi Anniel,

eGFR is not very accurate.

There are several factors that should be taken into account :
Sex, Age, African American or not.

I think, the best thing to do, is to ask whoever ordered the test in the UK to explain the differences to you.