Hello I’m Veronica. In 2010 when I was 62 years old I donated a kidney to my friend. She never had dialysis ever again! I’ve never felt any ill effects from only having one kidney. I have joined the community to support any would be donors. I’m always happy to share my experience.
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Hello . I do not wish to rain on your parade and I appreciate your generosity in donating a kidney. In my case I lost a kidney to surgery and the remaining one was functioning well. However , over a period of less than a decade my Egfr has fallen from 58 to it’s current 21 , and I am now at a stage 4 CKD . It is important that donors understand that a general reduction in function with 2 kidneys can be quite serious if there is only 1 . This is obviously not the case with everyone, but needs mentioning. Again , I applaud your courage, but felt I needed to mention the possible downside. Best wishes B
Hi. I’m 50, and have been discussing my Kidney Health with a Urologist after I was diagnosed with numerous Kidney Calculi (stones) in one kidney. My Surgeon keeps suggesting taking a Kidney out, but I keep resisting after many surgeries when younger, and a not normal Urological system.
I feel like a wuss, but I was injured in a previous surgery, and it was a horrendous situation. Meanwhile I am in a lot of pain from aches in my back - I really don’t know what to do.
Hi all im sarah 50 from devon I suffer from ADPKD my mum has it shes on dialysis 3 times a week.im stage 3b at the moment
I have also joined Kidneycare.org they have loads of information and kidney kitchen. Doing simple things with diet can improve your EGFR. Hope that helps.
Hi kidney friends it’s aura.im usually such a positive person around my ckd and don’t worry about symptoms and levels that haven’t happened yet but I’m a little “down” today.im a 3b nearly stage 4 ckd and have had it for 15 years.my ckd had been stable for the last 3 years which has been amazing as before that I’d 30 operations on my kidneys due to large kidney stones the biggest being a staghorn stone and my kidneys had affected my thyroid which is called(secondary hyoerparathyroidusm)but this is also stable until now. I was feeling something wasn’t quote right so went to GP and they think my thyroid levels are not where they should be which inturn means my kidney function has dropped which is worrying again so as you all know it’s back to being prodded and scanned to see how bad it’s got. It’s causing bad pain in my bones and joints in my legs and swelling on my ankles and feet making walking sore at present.fingers crossed its just a change in the dose of my medications thanks for listening and keeping a safe place for me to worry out loud promise I’ll be positive tomorrow ill give myself a talking too have a great day kidney friends x
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I’m sorry to hear you’re having a setback @Aura. You are doing amazingly well and I’m so glad you’ve got a space to share your worries and concerns with people who understand. x
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Thank you for your kind words I’m OK now Had my wobble now I’m strong again to keep fighting another day x
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Hello, I have wobbles several times a week. They can be quite distressing , but we come back again. Pleased you are feeling better. Best wishes B
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I suspect that very few people don’t have wobbles!! I’m an expert in wobbles but, as you both say, they pass! I’m feeling sorry for myself today as I’m suffering from a bad cold and I’m not able to appreciate my mother’s day sweeties!! At least I’ve managed out of bed today though. Got to be fit for dialysis nurse duties tomorrow. 
Hi, I’m Colin, aged 66.
My CKD was diagnosed in 2010 when I had a massive DVT and resultant oedema in my left leg.
My stellar Renal Consultant hit it hard with thinners, including Warfarin. It took maybe a year to get back to a more normal routine, and off the warfarin.
I’m generally stable now and have a young dog to keep me active and in the fresh air.
A lifetime of medication is a small price to pay for an active pensioner.
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Hi there.
My name is Alison and I’m in the North East UK. I’m stage 3a but my last blood test showed a 10 drop to 31. I also have chronic pancreatis as well.
I’m all on my own apart from my 2 cats. All my “friends “ are long gone and my brother, my only family, isn’t interested.
I admit some days are a real struggle but I managed to get through.
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Aye, the young dog. I have 2, A Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever called Matilda and a Finnish Lapphund called Anouska , They are brilliant and aways raise an iffy day to a good one. There is nothing like a dog to bring your spirits up and to appreciate the unconditional love that they bring to our lives. They are so important to me that I cannot imagine life without them. Medication has become the norm , but the dogs are a real bonus that make everything worthwhile, Pleased you are stable, and look after your canine friend , Best Wishes B
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Hello everyone. My name is Lotty. And I’ve recently discovered from a recent blood test that I have CKD stage 3b. I already have Medullary sponge kidneys, which was discovered by chance when I had scan for my Gallbladder, which explained the many UTI’s I had in the past without any explanation !!
I actually found out by chance after one of my 6 monthly blood test results on my App had stated it at the bottom of that test (something which I had never seen before ?) When I finally got an appointment I questioned my GP about it, apparently the surgery had sent me a letter 2 years previously telling me about it after a routine blood test ? I did say I never received it, as my Father, Uncle, Cousin passed away due to Polycystic kidney disease, and my Cousins daughter is waiting for a transplant, it’s a letter I would of remembered ! Oh….and apparently they tried to call me, but as I pointed out, I don’t answer my phone to any numbers I don’t know, and they never left a message to contact them 
so much for trying to communicate. So I’ve had CKD for a lot longer and have been none the wiser. After asking the GP why it’s never been mentioned to me in the past two years, he said because I’m already under the CKD umbrella with my MSK they would probably just assume I knew 
it seems my mind reading skills have finally deserted me 
I also asked to be referred to a renal dietitian, or the actual Renal unit, but apparently that doesn’t happen anymore, he said he’d send me some info in a email….. in other words, look it up for yourself 
I’d be interested if this has happened to anyone else ??
I’m actually very lucky as I have a wonderful husband who does the cooking, and cooks nearly everything from fresh, so I’ve not had a lot of processed food (all things in moderation, as my Mum would say ) but we’ll be looking into foods I especially should avoid.
I can’t say I’ve had any indication that I’ve got CKDb3. The only thing I’ve found out since is that all the itchiness I’ve been getting is due to it, I’ve recently been getting a really itchy scalp. It feels like something is crawling under my skin 
and is driving me mad, it’s even waking me up at night (I also don’t sleep well) I’ve just started a new shampoo called Eucerin DermoCapilliare calming Urea shampoo, I’m really hoping it helps 
if anyone has any advice I’m all ears 
I do realise that I count myself one of the lucky ones, as I don’t have to have any dialysis. or wait for a Transplant 
I send everyone all the love 
and best wishes in the world, and hope you all stay as healthy and as happy as you can 
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Glad you’ve found the forum where you can share your experience with others in similar situations and find out more, hopefully. Or even have a rant - that can make you feel better too! It seems to me that the lack of information from your GP you experienced is fairly common for a lot of people with CKD … 
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Thanks for your words letting me know I’m not alone sorry to hear your under the weather with a cold .having a cold or fly is bad enough but add kidney problems into the m7x just adds another layer of risk And complications u hope you are fighting fit very soon xx
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Thanks @Aura. I really have little to complain about but this cold just made me miserable over the weekend. I managed to get out of bed today for hubby’s dialysis so that’s an improvement! He and our daughter who lives with us both have the cold as well but not quite as badly as it has hit me. 
Your welcome you might not have much to complain about but you need ti look after yourself or you can’t be there for your hubby and daughter xx
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Continuing the discussion from Introduce yourself:
I’m new here found out last week I may have stage 3A kidney problem which was interpretation written on the bottom of the lab form (results) following recent blood test. I’m in a bit of shock, denial, confusion and would think from this perspective I should be having a sit down conversation with my GP? What do you think? I’m waiting for appointment for kidney scan!
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Hi Jem
I’d say that perhaps your GP will speak to you after they have the results of your scan. That is logical to me. However, the way that GPs handle CKD patients seems to be hit and miss from what I’ve read on here - little communication overall. I have no experience of CKD as hubby lost both his kidneys to cancer. (They were perfectly healthy kidneys, apart from that.) I do hope you get a scan appointment soon.
Maureen
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