I am 53, married with 2 kids under 7. My disease progression:
- measles at 3 years supposedly damaged my kidneys.
- no lifestyle changes until I started taking ACE and allupurinal at 42.
- Very active physically which probably kept the disease at bay.
- Stress, lack of exercise and perhaps the normal course of the disease caught up with me last year and I started dialysis in Feb. I just started doing PD with a cycler.
I am considering a transplant but just learned I have a high immune response. I am working with Cedar Sinai in LA and they have protocols for this. Not really sure I want to go that way yet.
I've been active with RSN and have friends who are CKD patients.
I am planning a blog to consolidate information for new patients. "ESRD for Dummies" but obviously not that title. I think of myself as smart but getting the answers I need has been really difficult. It shouldn't be so hard to get info and make decisions when a person is under the stress of a severe medical issue. As I saw in someone's tagline, dialysis is not for sissies. Your thoughts are welcome.
Blessings all.