Hello im new

[Angel1954]

 Hi everyone
             My name is Kathy and im 51 i am not on dialysis yet or havent been diagnosis with Kidney diesease yet.But two weeks ago the Dr told me that he had seen a trace of protein in my urine with some white blood cells and some blood.And told me i had to go ot a Urolig cause i been haveing UTIs for over a yr now and it is scaring me cause im so afrid im going to have to go on Dialysis.Can some one tell me what is the symotms of kideny failure and also i had my blood test done in Feb and my kidney function was normal but if it is then why am i getting all of these bladder infections if its not my kidneys im glad i found this site it is so understanding. Also my wrist are swollen to that is why im afriad im going to have to go on Dialysis or am i jumping the gun.I am a proud grandmother my only dauhgter gave birth July 6 of this year to a beautiful baby boy that i want to be around to see grow up and i asl want to live very much so can someone answer my question for me please

                      KAthy

[Rerun]

Kathy WOOOHHHHHH STOP!  Relax.  You need to get these bladder infections cleaned up.  Make sure "Reflux" is not causing any kidney damage.  If you are what I call "throwing Protein" then you kidneys are not normal, but no need to worry.  Just keep it in check.  Make sure your blood pressure is normal and if it is high, get medication for it.  Also, work on getting it down by exercise. 

Normal people retain water.  Epically in this heat.  Welcome to the board.  Take a deep breath and enjoy our site, but I don't think you need to worry for at least another 51 years.

Just my opinion~   

[goofynina]

Hi Kathy, and welcome...  I know one of the main signs is edema, well, noticeable signs i should say.  Swelling in the feet, hands, face.  You can also have itchy skin from high phosphorus.  Phosphorus is found in alot of things that we eat, cheese, beans, eggs, meat and even sodas, milk and some other things.  I can understand how scared you are and remember, we were all there once ourselves. but you can always look at the brighter side,  IF you do need to go on dialysis, it is there for you and you will be able to see your grandchild grow.  I know it is going to be a challenge to adjust to it, but please, familiarize yourself with all the options,  there are more to it than just hemodialysis (in clinic) There is CAPD and CCPD,  one is a manual exchange and one is a cycler, that you do in your home.  Please continue to read posts and ask as many questions, comments or concerns you may have.  We are one big happy family here and we all have questions and stories of our own to share.   So, by all means, do not be shy.  We are here for you....  and i am so happy you found us...

[Bajanne]

hello there!  Welcome to our site.  I understand your concern, but it seems that you should not start to worry like this.  Just make sure that you are carefully monitored by your doctor.
I am 56 and was on dialysis since last September.  I have a 3 year old grandson and I plan to be around to see him grow up.  Please don't worry.  Just calm yourself.  Worrying carries up your blood pressure.  If your results show that your kidney function is normal, don't worry.  Just keep on being monitored.

[angieskidney]

Here are the signs of kidney disease: http://www.nkfstl.com/sitefiles/kidneydisease/index.html

Here are the stages of renal failure: http://www.renal.org/eGFR/ckdstages.html

Warning signs of Chronic Kidney Disease:

• Need to urinate more often, especially at night
• Feeling tired; having less energy
• Loss of appetite
• Trouble sleeping; muscle cramping at night
• Puffiness around your eyes, especially in the morning
• Swollen hands, feet, and ankles

and if it is reflux, I was born with that. And I am now 32. Don't worry so much! You will be around for a LONG time! I know it is so easy to worry when you are thinking "what if's"! But here you can get the answers! Also talk to your doctor about your concerns. Trick is to right them down so you don't bombard him.

[kitkatz]

Hmmmmmm...I have all those signs now.  Oh right...I HAVE kidney failure. I AM on dialysis.
(Smart asses unite!)
Welcome to our site.  Get your self taken care of in all ways.

[Joe Paul]

Hello Angel, Hope you dont need dialysis, but if you do, good luck. Welcome to the site

[scyankee]

Welcome Angel,
    I would consider changing your diet to low protein and read as much as possible about diet for
kidney disease to see if a change will change your blood results. It is amazing how much a difference
a change in diet can make in how one feels. Also need to take care of those infections. Hope you
never need dialysis but wait til you are at that door and take it one step at a time.
  Feel better,
  SCYankee

[Bajanne]

That is excellent advice from scyankee.  Please take it.

[Mom3]

Lots of excellent advice. Get good medical care. Those frequent UTIs and swelling are nothing to ignore and take care of yourself. ESRD is not the end of the world but we'd all rather NOT have it! If you have to face dialysis someday, knowing more will help you make good decisions.

Any history of kidney disease in your family?

Mom 3 (pre-dialysis PKD patient and mother of hemo pt)

[Angel1954]

No i dont have any history of Kidney Disease in my fmaily at all.I am also over weight with high blood presure but everytime i go ot the dr my blood presure is not up so they dont give me any meds for it. I use to be on water pills but they took me off of them so i have to wait till i go to the Urolisgts to see what is going on with my bladder
 
              I am so glad i had joined this site everyone here is so kind and understanding
 
                                              Kathy

[Rerun]

Kathy,

You start a list of questions and WRITE them down to take with you to this Urologist. 

1.  My blood pressure at home is XXX / XXX, should I be on a high blood pressure.  (By the way 120/80 is normal)
2.  I have protine in my urine.  Should I be on a "low" protine diet?
3.  My hands and wrists are swollen, should I be on a diuretic or water pill.
4. 
5.

[angieskidney]

Kathy,

You start a list of questions and WRITE them down to take with you to this Urologist. 

1.  My blood pressure at home is XXX / XXX, should I be on a high blood pressure.  (By the way 120/80 is normal)
2.  I have protine in my urine.  Should I be on a "low" protine diet?
3.  My hands and wrists are swollen, should I be on a diuretic or water pill.
4. 
5.

Very very good advice!

[Mom3]

Ace inhibitor blood pressure med is often prescribed to protect kidney function. I didn't have high BP when I started mine, but they started me on a low dose to protect my kidneys.
On my own, I ate a low protein diet. Now years later, they tell people to do that! Both seemed to have worked for me because my kidney function has lasted almost twice as long as they originally predicted.
Again, best of luck!

Mom 3

[Angel1954]

Can someone tell me then what can i eat and what i cant so i will know what to buy at the store today or tommorrw its a hot one in Wv and im not going to go ot the store till it cools down today or tommorrow

                                      Kathy

[goofynina]

I am not too sure since i am always being told to eat more protein, but if you google it or go to ask.com and see if there are any low protein diets avaliable,  i get all my answers to my off the wall questions there so i think you will be able to get this there too.  Good Luck and let us  know what you found,  It could be important info for members and future members.... Thank you

[Rerun]

You are safe with "ICE".   

Goofynina is right.  Go to any search engine and search "High Protine Foods." 

Also, please go to Dialysis General Discussion and read the Site Rules.  http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=540.0

Thanks~

[Angel1954]

ok i will do that thank you so very much everyone

[angieskidney]

You guys are misleading her! She said she is NOT on dialysis yet! So she will NOT be on the same diet as you guys!

Be VERY careful of the diets you follow off the net! Only your OWN doctor can tell you for sure. Do your OWN research. You CAN listen to others but ALWAYS be very aware of your OWN health to KNOW what is BEST for YOU.

Sorry for all the caps but when I saw people telling a non-dialysis person to look for HIGH-Protein diets .. it kind of upset me!

If you still have your kidneys and you suspect them of failing, or at least have found protein in your urine, then you don't want a HIGH-Protein diet as that is VERY hard on a failing kidney!


edit: Okay, I see that you know to lower protein (if you even need to do anything at this point yet) since you made a new thread. Sorry for getting upset. I just didn't want anyone mislead. 

[Rerun]

You guys are misleading her! She said she is NOT on dialysis yet! So she will NOT be on the same diet as you guys!

Be VERY careful of the diets you follow off the net! Only your OWN doctor can tell you for sure. Do you OWN research. You CAN listen to others but ALWAYS be very aware of your OWN health to KNOW what is BEST for YOU.

Sorry for all the caps but when I saw people telling a non-dialysis person to look for HIGH-Protein diets .. it kind of upset me!

If you still have your kidneys and you suspect them of failing, or at least have found protein in your urine, then you don't want a HIGH-Protein diet as that is VERY hard on a failing kidney!

My point is to KNOW YOUR HIGH PROTINE food and avoid them.  It is better to know what you can't eat than to know what you can.  You need to know both, but better to start with avoiding the bad stuff.

And, No, I "don't own research"!

By the way, she is NO where near dialysis.  She has a trace of protine in her urine!  That is like having to have a second mammogram.  You are not necessarily going to have breast cancer. 

[angieskidney]

I fixed my post (thx Rerun for pointing it out on here and thx Sandman for pointing it out over Skype )

But yes, you can get very good info here. Just know what you need first. You really should talk to a dietitian

[sandman]

You guys are misleading her! She said she is NOT on dialysis yet! So she will NOT be on the same diet as you guys!

Be VERY careful of the diets you follow off the net! Only your OWN doctor can tell you for sure. Do your OWN research. You CAN listen to others but ALWAYS be very aware of your OWN health to KNOW what is BEST for YOU.

Angie is right there.  You should get advice from your doctor about a change in diet.  Since your not on dialysis yet, going with the wrong diet could hurt your chances more then help.

[Angel1954]

OK Thank you all i will ask a dietitian what i should do i also could ask my urologist Wed to if he could advise me.

                            And your site is very good for someone on Dialysis and ones that are not.I am so glad that i found this site cause the people here are so nice and sweet.Again thank each and everyone of you.
And another thing I'm so glad for the spell check.Cause i wouldn't have know all the mistakes i had in spelling on this comment.
                                            Kathy

[kitkatz]

Most doctors will look at you when you want to discuss diet and tell you to do what you want to do. Pat you on the head and send you on your way out the door. When you talk to the dietitian be specific in questions.  Tell her or him what you usually eat.  If you eat badly tell them.  We have had to make major changes to what we eat around our house.

[Sluff]

Welcome Kathy,

First don't jump to conclusions. Inform yourself by reading the threads on this site. It is normal to be concerned of the unknown. I have kidney disease and when I was first diagnosed with CKD I thought there was going to be this huge immediate change but there was none. I'm on meds now and my type of disease will get worse in time, however no-one knows how long that will be, could be 6 months or could be 6 years. All I know is I have come to love this site and the information is endless, and has helped me to see that my disease is not as bad as it could be. Everyone here has contributed to my acceptance of whatever level of CKD I have, but I would have to thank Rerun the most because of something she wrote when I first joined this site and that was "are you just waiting to get on dialysis or are you managing your disease to stay off dialysis?" and that statement made sense to me. Self Care, educate yourself, know your disease but don't let your concerns dictate your life style, especially at these early stages. You may not even have a form of CKD. Good Luck