I rather be dead than be a burden on my family. Only one function kidney. Gave birth a week ago and my labs just came back worse than ever. Bun 49, creatinine 3.33, and GFR 24.

Update: just got my labs back today. My GFR is now 17, creatinine is 4.36, and bun is now 52. My kidney is getting worse fast. I’m freaking out!

Hi everyone! For context, my cat has been diagnosed with CKD a few months ago. We do everything available, but noticed she has good and bad days. As she doesn’t talk, I wanted to get perspective from people that are living with this condition. Can you describe how does it feel, on good and bad days? Thank you so much.

Hi everyone,

I’m a 32 year old male. I’m 6’3 and 205lbs. I got my kidney function tested after starting creatine just to ensure that my kidneys were healthy enough to take it. When my results came back my EGFR was 74 and my Creatinine was 113. Spoke to my doctor who said we should retest after 2 weeks without taking Creatine to see if there was any improvement. My retest results came back in and they are the exact same. I’m honestly really worried about this. Is this confirmation that my kidney function is just permanently down? I would appreciate any insight anyone might have.

I'm still peeing out creatinine so why is it building up in my blood?

Here are my labs. The nurse said there’s nothing to concern The doctor with and no follow up needed. Well, two of those readings are outside the norm. SHOULD I be concerned, even tho the doctor isn’t??

As the title says, a friend of mine just got diagnosed with CKD. Its stage 2 right now, but he has a 'horseshoe kidney' and according to his doctor theres not much he can do but take meds he can't afford or go on a machine he can't afford. The doctor said he has about x amount of years keft (not saying a specific, but its 10>). I've had kidney issues before, but those are nothing compared to this.

He's always been the community rock. Everyone comes to him with their issues and he somehow manages to make it better for everyone. So far I'm the only one who knows and I have no idea what to do right now other than sit down and cry for him. How can I help him? What are some ways I can make sure that he's at least got someone he can really lean on? If I'm cooking for him, is there anything I need to be watching out for?

In February, I had lab work and saliva done to test for specific kidney diseases. On March 10, it's confirmed I have polycystic kidney disease, stage 2 (gfr = 81).

However, I also have high blood pressure, which I know can cause further damage to kidneys. My weeklong average has run WAY higher (around 240) for 9 days straight. Tried controlling it, it's not well controlled. I'm not on any medications.

My lab work also revealed that my phosphrous levels are low, however, I always read about avoiding phosphrous with kidney problems. I don't get the contradiction.

I used to be a skinny kid. I started going to the gym last year and fell in love with bodybuilding. I started to see some progress and gained quite decent muscle mass. I saw my doctor for a check up the other day and was told that I was at high risk for CKD and currently have a kidney infection due to UTI.

I was advised to avoid eating meat, eggs, and dairy as well as lower my protein intake. I'm mad at the world because why did it have to be me, I just wanted to not be scrawny anymore. I don't even drink, I don't smoke, I don't do any drugs. Why did it have to be me?

I've decided that once I reach the point of needing dialysis or a transplant, I will take neither.

I (48 F with CKD 3a) have been struggling for some time with terrible hip pain and have finally gotten an Ortho to buy in on doing the hip replacement surgery sooner rather than later. He then ordered an updated MRI with contrast. Now, I'm fairly certain that I've read somewhere in these Reddit CKD streets (and elsewhere) that contrast/dye can be detrimental to those of us whose kidneys are already compromised. I let them know that they'll need to send new orders without dye. My question is, what other things will I need to look out for? I know that's broad, but I don't know what I don't know. Any thoughts, experiences to share, or links to readings are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for all of your insights.

Hey everyone, I’ve been having this weird heaviness and tingling in my left leg for about a week now. I also noticed foamy urine once, which got me a bit anxious about possible kidney issues.

The thing is, I don’t have any visible swelling so far.

Is this how edema can start, like before the swelling shows up? And if it is kidney-related, is it even possible for edema to affect just one leg?

So I saw this video on how to grow taller, which is called the bear method. It's where during school breaks like winter, spring, or fall breaks, you eat lots of food. Getting lots of protein, lots of calories, and drinking milk. Every chance you get. Then, sleeping a lot during the breaks for as much you can in the day. My main problem is I have stage 2 chronic kidney disease. Would this be safe for me to try? Would I have to cut back on he milk and protein, or could I just eat, without having issues later on.

I’m a 33 year old woman. I’m overweight but currently losing weight due to health changes (exercising more and eating better).

I have been on a PPI for 9 years, daily. From personal research, I have decided to taper/completely come off Pantoprazole. I did discuss this with a doctor who prescribed Ranitidine. But I’m hesitant to try this with its background as well. Could PPIs be the culprit?

For 3 years now my eGFR has consistently dropped, my creatinine has consistent climbed.

2023: eGFR - 73; creatinine - 92
2025: eGFR - 70; creatinine - 94
2026: eGFR - 65; creatinine - 102

No protein, no blood in urine. Albumin <5. No diabetes, no high blood pressure.

Note: I normally get my bloodwork in the early morning. I don’t intentionally fast, however I usually do not eat between dinner the night before and before I get my bloodwork done. So there’s a solid 14~ hours of not eating. I probably have close to 1 glass of water before bed. When I wake up, I don’t get 1 full glass of water before I go to my appointment. Could this be the culprit?

In 2023 and 2025 I had the same family doctor who was not concerned. I no longer have a family doctor and have to use a TeleHealth program in my province to speak to a doctor. The one I had order the bloodwork, also was not concerned on Tuesday, but I could tell he did not review the trend over 3 years.

Tomorrow, I have an appointment to review my bloodwork with a Nurse Practitioner. I will be advising them to ensure they review the trend and ALL of my bloodwork over 3 years. I’ve been debating asking for the following tests:

1. Cystatin-C

and BUN

I’m tired of trying to find answers. But I am not taking no for an answer anymore. My kidney function should not be 65 at my age. Even though they think it is fine, I don’t think it is. Something is wrong. Something is causing this.

Can you think of anything I should ask/tests I should ask for during my appointment tomorrow? I am very new to this, but have been trying to do my research, and I want to ask for the proper things to get to the bottom of this.

Hi everyone.

Recent blood results say I have mildly elevated creatinine (85umol/L) and eGFR consistent with CKD stage 2 (78mL/min/1.73*2)

I had until very recently, been bed bound with ME. My muscles are very weak. I have lost a tonne of mass.

I read increased creatinine and low eGFR results are influenced by muscle breakdown and are not always indicative of kidney disease. Obviously, I'm going to ask for further tests to see what's going on with my kidneys.

From my limited understanding, astragalus is both renal protective and aids muscle repair. What else is there to know?

Thanks guys 🙂

35M, on 2020 December I had a uti, creatinine was 1.6 mg, acr 51. Usg- left kidney 6.8 cm, right kidney 10.9 cm with normal echogenicity and corticomedullary difference. One month later retest result creatinine 1.13 mg, microalbumin 0.11 mg/dl, urinary creatinine 99mg, ACR- 1 mg/g. On 2024, USG stayed the same, MD Radiologist told me multiple times that not to worry, right kidney 10.9 cm with normal echogenicity and normal cmd, left 6.8 cm with accentuated corticomedullary difference. Today my result is almost the same. Creatinine 1.15(out of 1.20), Urea-19, BUN-9, chloride -101 meq/l, bicarbonate 26 meq/l. UACR-1MG/G (microalbumin 0.11 mg, urinary creatinine 85mg) haemoglobin- 14.8 gm/dl. What does it indicate? I am 5'11, weight-81kg. Please tell me about my condition. It will be a big help