r/CKD

My doctor has been checking my Creatinine and eGFR. My eGFR has been slowly decreasing since 2020 from 74 ml/min/1.73 to 63 ml/min/1.73 just recently. I am a 52 year old female. Is this something normal, or should I push for a referral to find out why it continues to go down? Can I prevent getting to a CKD diagnosis?

I keep wondering if there is something we can do for our cats from the time they are kittens that might help protect their kidneys later in life.
It seems like so many of us are eventually losing our beloved cats to this awful disease. CKD can be so quiet in the beginning that by the time we realize something is wrong, significant kidney function may already be gone.
Could starting certain habits when they’re young make a difference? More wet food? Encouraging them to drink more water? Regular urine and blood testing as they get older? Are there dietary choices we should be making—or things we should be avoiding—from kittenhood onward?
I know there may be no way to completely prevent CKD, especially since age itself is a major risk factor. But I can’t help wondering whether there is more we could be doing before our cats ever become sick, rather than learning everything about kidney disease after we’re already fighting it.
I’ve learned more about feline kidneys than I ever wanted to know, and I wish I’d known some of it years earlier.
For those of you who have been through CKD with your cats—or veterinarians and vet techs who may be here—if you were bringing home a kitten today, what would you do from day one to give their kidneys the best chance possible? ❤️🐾

hey everyone! i'm a student passionate about health equity and recently learned about the horrors rampant in the dialysis industry (from market manipulation to the prioritization of profit over patients). it's become abundantly clear to me that in many cases, patients in dialysis facilities feel like they're treated as objects on an assembly line rather than people who deserve dignity.

to dialysis patients and/or caregivers, i was wondering:

1. i heard some patients say that sitting on the dialysis chair for multiple hours every week can feel like prison and be psychologically challenging, despite the necessity of the procedure. do any of you relate? what are the most exhausting aspects?
2. how do you navigate meals and diet? how about meals during family gatherings/holidays/cultural events?
3. what is the relationship dynamic like with your care team? are you treated as an equal partner or do you feel like your voice is limited?
4. what moments make you feel supported during dialysis treatment and outside the dialysis facility?
5. what effect, if any, do interactions with patients sitting next to you in the dialysis facilities have on your experience?
6. what inconveniences, if solved, would enhance your quality of life? what positive experiences, if amplified, would enhance your quality of life?

i'm deeply grateful for any and all reflections that you all would be willing to share.

Hey guys. I’m feeling extremely anxious today regarding my dad and could really use some support.

Past History

My dad is 55M and was diagnosed with FSGS in 2021, with a creatinine of 1.4. He also has hypertension and diabetes.

His creatinine slowly climbed to around 2.4 by September 2025. (1.0 In 4 Years)

From September 2025 to April 2026, we didn’t have any tests done.

On April 20–25, 2026, he had an upper GI bleed. His creatinine jumped from 2.7 (taken at another lab) to 3.9 overnight, which we were told was likely related to the GI bleed.

After the bleed, his creatinine stayed around 4.1 from April through July. We were hoping it would gradually come down over time.

But today, his creatinine came back at 5.9, and I’ve been extremely anxious since then.

We repeated the test later today, and it was 5.6.

His doctor has also started discussing a transplant, which has made everything feel even more stressful.

He has no visible symptoms. No swelling, no tiredness, no shortness of breath — he feels completely normal.

The doctor hasn't advised any lifestyle changes since he is already under 4g Salt and low Pottasium diet.

I never expected his creatinine to jump this quickly over such a short period.

I have a few questions and would really appreciate hearing from people who have been through something similar:

1. Can dehydration cause a sudden jump in creatinine like this?

2. Is it really possible for creatinine to increase this quickly?

3. At what creatinine level or eGFR did you start dialysis or begin the transplant process?

4. Can Creatinine be 5.9 in Morning and Drop to 5 6 in just 6hrs?

I know everyone’s situation is different, but hearing about other people’s experiences would really help me understand what we might be facing.

Thanks in advance.

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.

29M. I was diagnosed with ckd stage 3 around 4.5 years ago and almost 3 years ago my kidneys gave up on me completely, I've been depressed and on dialysis since. I had to quit my job and move back to my parents house to be a burden on them. My dad is retired from a government job and he gets a pension so that's how my dialysis and meds are paid, my mom is willing to donate me her kidney but it costs so much to get a kidney transplant. I used to draw and play sports and go trek in mountains but now it's like I never had hobbies or any skills. I can't remember myself doing anything except be in bed all day and doomscrolling on my phone. I've distanced myself from my friends and relatives, I don't leave the house except when I need to go to the hospital for dialysis. I'm living in a brain fog, I try to learn new skills but I'm not able to focus or pay attention to anything. I'm losing my will to live day by day cuz idk what to do anymore, living like this is hell. I was suppose to support my parents in their oldage but instead became a burden on them. My dad looked so young and kept himself in shape even after turning 65 but now in just 3 years he looks so old because he keeps worrying about me, so does my mom. I just don't know what to do anymore.

Around July 1 I was admitted to the hospital for a few different things:

1. Pancreatitis
2. Dehydration
3. AKI (tho I’m at stage 4 EGFR 16)

I was put on emergency dialysis and pumped full of fluids and went through all sorts of ups and downs for 7 days. (I am not on dialysis currently)

Both my GI and GI surgeon find it best due to all the Gallstones and recent pancreatic attack that I remove my Gallbladder. Both are telling me that due to my kidney function, it’s likely that going under will consume my kidneys and I will need to then start dialysis.

Ive been battling CKD with awareness for over 2 years. Was really only made aware around 25EGFR. Now I am sitting at 15EGFR Creatinine 4.4

Dr said my kidneys have 80% scar tissue from several sinus infections I was fighting over the years (biopsy results) not even sure what “type” of kidney failure I have.

I experience all sorts of ups and downs and symptoms but at this point I’m kinda just ready to plunge into dialysis. My nephrologist doesn’t agree and mentions I shouldn’t be experiencing these symptoms or feelings at 15EGFR but more at sub ~9.

I guess what I’m getting at is, do I just keep trucking along and do best I can to maintain this function or do I start planning steps to get on dialysis and get my Gallbladder removed?

I just found out that my mom was diagnosed with stage three kidney disease. She’s been heavily drinking for the past few years on and off. After a recent doctors visit, I pryed the information out of her that she was diagnosed with this. For reference stage five is kidney failure. She is currently living with me and my boyfriend as she has had issues holding down jobs. She insisted that I not tell my brothers as they are going through hard times as well, but I find this really hard to keep it to myself. To make matters worse, she advised she would quit drinking, but I heard her cracking up on a white claw at 6 AM this morning. I feel notifying my family would be another line of holding her accountable. It would also be nice to have more than myself checking on her. Should I tell my family or should I keep it a secret as she requested?

Since 10 years every time I do a urine analysis I found + blood, doctors never considered a something i also see foam in urine but when doctors do PCR test they say lt also fine, also kidney test are fine
Im tired visit different doctor when I don’t find an answer
Do any of you have similar symptoms
Thank you

Hi,
I’m looking for a nephrologist in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area of North Carolina.
If you know someone good to recommend, I’d sure appreciate it!
Thanks very much!

My GFR is 14/15 and creatine 3.6. CKD caused by lithium neuropathy. Pre-transplant, not on dialysis yet but probably will be within a few months. Due to fatigue, I’m not always able to muster up the energy to cook and prepare foods myself. I’m looking for a food delivery service that will deliver meals that are low sodium. I’m pescatarian. Is there a service that you’ve tried or recommend that caters to low-sodium diets, has foods that are nutritious, natural and unprocessed, and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg?

My tele visit with my nephrologist was 9:30a.m. at 9:50 a.m i read her notes on my portal. She writes stage 3b and egfr consistent with stage 3b. At this point I'm freaking out and almost in tears. Then i get her call . She tells me sorry, it's my mistake, you're still stage 3a with past AKI. You're stable and actually your markers look better then last month. I feel she should've been more mindful . I was upset . I easily get nervous and anxious. Am i overreacting?

35M, 6ft/95kg, been on BP meds for a while (ARB + thiazide diuretic + beta-blocker + CCB combo). Recent labs:

**•**	eGFR: 81-88 (standard reported range, normal, stable across two tests months apart)  
**•**	BSA-adjusted eGFR: worked out to \~103 mL/min once corrected for my actual body size (I’m bigger than the “average” 1.73m² the formula assumes) — so likely even better than the standard number suggests  
**•**	Urine ACR: 10 (normal, under 30)  
**•**	Urine dipstick: trace protein positive — twice, months apart  
**•**	Uric acid: 7.06 → 8.5 mg/dL (trending up, above range)  
**•**	Triglycerides: 245 → 304 mg/dL (also trending up)  
**•**	HDL: dropped to 28 (low)  
**•**	BMI: \~28 (overweight)  
**•**	Kidney ultrasound/Doppler: completely normal

Doctor says kidneys look structurally fine and ACR is reassuring, but wants to keep an eye on the trace protein + uric acid combo since it showed up twice.

Anyone dealt with something similar — persistent trace proteinuria with otherwise normal ACR/eGFR while on BP meds? Did tightening BP control, diet changes, or a med switch (thiazide diuretics are known to raise uric acid) make a difference for you? Also curious if anyone’s doctor treated the uric acid directly even without gout symptoms, or if anyone else has looked into BSA-adjusted eGFR for a more individualized read.

Not looking for diagnosis, just curious about others’ experience before my next follow-u