I hate my kidneys :(

EmmaReed84
EmmaReed84 Posts: 263 Member
in Motivation and Support
Ugh, I have been feeling so good lately, going to the gym, working out and steadily getting in to shape, eating better and feeling altogether healthier.

Today I have woken up feeling rough, my whole body itches like crazy (I have just made my legs bleed from scratching) and my lower body feels so tight. I have gained 3lbs in one day and an inch on my thighs and waist. I know this is water retention because of my kidneys,and the itching is due to the toxins, but still does not stop it from making feel like crap!

My instincts tell me to drink more water to flush it away, but drinking too much water can make it worse. It is just so rubbish, everything I do to try and get healthy is always met by a problem caused by my stupid kidneys.

Ugh, just feeling sorry for myself at the moment, I hope I snap out of it quickly!

Replies

  • ContraryMaryMary
    ContraryMaryMary Posts: 1,777 Member
    That sounds awful.
  • My0WNinspiration
    My0WNinspiration Posts: 1,146 Member
    Do you have kidney issues?
  • xGracieGirlx
    xGracieGirlx Posts: 99 Member
    I feel you pain. If i don't drink enough I can literally feel my kidneys struggling to work, but if I drink too much I have problems also. Some days it just feels like there is no winning.
  • EmmaReed84
    EmmaReed84 Posts: 263 Member
    I have stage 3B kidney disease. I had reflux of the kidney when I was very small and had an operation to insert stents when I was 5.

    Everything had been OK, however, since the birth of my 2nd child in 2008 they have been slowly getting worse. My kidney function continues to decline at a slow pace and it is highly likely I will end up with renal failure in the future (20+ years at the current rate but that could change) which is why I have to be careful not to have too much protein, water and various other things, which makes trying to eat a healthy balanced diet very hard!

    It just annoys me sometimes when I see people who abuse their bodies with with drugs, alcohol, smoking etc and they seem perfectly fine, whereas I try to do everything right and I am still broken! It was the same when I was pregnant the first time. I did everything right, followed all the advice I given, yet, went through hell on earth. My SIL drank, smoked, went out partying and all sorts, yet, had a wonderful pregnancy, plain sailing pregnancy... Not that i would wish a bad pregnancy on anyone, more that why did mine have to be so bad.

    I am so feeling sorry for myself right now, a bit of self-indulgence now and then is OK... Isn't it?
  • xGracieGirlx
    xGracieGirlx Posts: 99 Member
    Of course it's okay to feel sorry for yourself every once in a while. I don't know anyone who doesn't!

    My kidney reflux has produced pretty bad scarring in my left kidney. And the topic of a transplant has been opened and closed many times over the years.

    I'm 100% with you on your feeling towards people who abuse their bodies. I've seen people who are high or drunk 90% of the time and hardly ever even get a cold. It can just be frustrating some times.
  • EmmaReed84
    EmmaReed84 Posts: 263 Member
    Of course it's okay to feel sorry for yourself every once in a while. I don't know anyone who doesn't!

    My kidney reflux has produced pretty bad scarring in my left kidney. And the topic of a transplant has been opened and closed many times over the years.

    I'm 100% with you on your feeling towards people who abuse their bodies. I've seen people who are high or drunk 90% of the time and hardly ever even get a cold. It can just be frustrating some times.

    WOW, a fellow broken buddy LOL.

    Where about are you? I am in the UK and have spoken to my specialist and they advised me that they won't look at transplants until things progress further. (stage 4, leaning more to stage 5). My husband came with me to an appointment and asked if he could be tested as a possible donor, but they shrugged it off for now.

    I feel like a time bomb, just waiting for the inevitable to happen and not know when it is going to be. For the most part I am generally upbeat and don't let it get me down as I have knowledge about my condition and I can manage it, it is not like I don't know I have it and unknowingly making it worse. but that sort of attitude can wear thin over time.

    I have an appointment with the Dr. on Thursday to check everything is OK.
  • Richard269
    Richard269 Posts: 56
    Hi , I Han my kidney transplant in October 2012 and am now a new person ,so don't give up thing will work out in the end .
  • xGracieGirlx
    xGracieGirlx Posts: 99 Member
    I'm on the East Coast of the US. I would certainly bring up the feelings you've been having with your specialist if they aren't already aware of them. Maybe they could even recommend a nutritionalist to help you out with meals.

    I know it sounds silly, but have you tried natural remedies to go along with the medications your doctor gives you? Things like red bell peppers, cranberries, and garlic have helped ease some symptoms for me. It takes time though.
  • Skinny_minny_mo
    Skinny_minny_mo Posts: 1,272 Member
    awwhh sounds awful :(


    it must be very frustrating when whatever you try doesnt work.

    hugs
  • Aymzc
    Aymzc Posts: 159 Member
    Hi

    I had a kidney transplant 3 years ago. I used to smother my legs in aqueous cream at night as I used to scratch them until they bled in my sleep. Do you take calcichew or anything to have before you eat to bind the phosphate?

    It's really frustrating I know with the fluid retention,itching etc. My kidney failure was diagnosed in 2005 when I was 18 and then I was told at the rate they are declining I probably wouldn't need a transplant until into my 40's but in 2009 everything went downhill and I started dialysis.

    Sometimes they will look into doing transplants before you need dialysis so keep talking to the doctor about it being an option.

    I'll send you a friend request as always good to speak with people who have a similar experience.
  • tekwriter
    tekwriter Posts: 923 Member
    God Bless All of you. We all take so much for granted and then we come along and meet people who are having real problems. I applaud your efforts to stay healthy!!
  • My0WNinspiration
    My0WNinspiration Posts: 1,146 Member
    I'm sorry :flowerforyou:
  • Vune
    Vune Posts: 674 Member
    I'm in the transplant club, too. Genetic disease that occurred as a spontaneous mutation, so I'm sick, while my jerk of a brother gets off scott-free. Dialysis at 19, transplant at 21. I hate life. Don't let it build up like me. If you don't already talk to a therapist and get the grr out, I'd highly recommend it. Even with peers, it can be hard to deal with always being the sicky.
  • earvizu92
    earvizu92 Posts: 320 Member
    At 38....wife and mom of 4 kiddos...........I was diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma after visiting the ER with dull back pain and nausea on Jan 31st 2012. Two weeks later I was scheduled to have my entire right kindey removed. So now i continue life with one kidney and yes its a struggle but I am very lucky to be here today and that the cancer did not spread through out my body. I watch my protein and I do not let the fact that I have or had cancer keep me from focusing on my goals and i cherish my one kidney!! Keep the positivity! :smile:
  • CLFrancois
    CLFrancois Posts: 472 Member

    I am so feeling sorry for myself right now, a bit of self-indulgence now and then is OK... Isn't it?

    Absolutely!
    I am sorry you are going through this. 2 steps forward... 2 steps back?
  • EmmaReed84
    EmmaReed84 Posts: 263 Member
    Thank you everyone for all the lovely replies. It is nice to know there are people out there who understand. My husband is wonderful, but sometimes when I get bad and super exhausted and feel rough like I do today, it is hard for him to understand what I am going through as outwardly I am fine and dandy! Plus the only real visible indication anything is wrong is my legs, which now look red raw!

    In the UK, I don't think I can just ask about having a transplant. I am just doing some more research about foods and daily intakes, plus seeing the doctor on Thursday and will hopefully get some blood work done. I just get so scared that my kidneys will end up going down hill at an increasing speed.

    My husband's family member had to have dialysis and said she would rather die then go through it again. But chances are I will need to get to that stage before being allowed to go on the transplant list.

    I am waffling again, sorry LOL. XXX Thank you all again
  • Aymzc
    Aymzc Posts: 159 Member
    Dialysis isn't the most pleasant thing to have to go through but there are different types you can choose from and they are changing all the time. I did haemo with a line in my neck and then my groin as it got infected so I avoided having a fistula which I was pleased about.

    I'm UK too and my doctor said a transplant would always be an option when I reached that stage.
  • chocl8girl
    chocl8girl Posts: 1,968 Member
    I just had to have my reflux re-tested, and have progressed from stage 1 to stage 2 (was never even diagnosed until about 6 years ago), which luckily is still very minor so they won't do anything, but I totally feel your frustration. I don't have a LOT of issues at this time, but I do have scarring, and have to be really careful about my fluid intake and avoiding UTIs, and I tend to have really bad episodes of pain that last several hours every few weeks, and they can really bring me down.

    Just try to keep your chin up, and I hope that things happen to help you feel better. :flowerforyou:
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    Look at Uremic Pruritus information.
  • harp15
    harp15 Posts: 2 Member
    I feel like I should not complain at all after reading these posts, but I have just been told I have stage 3 kidney disease and I am pretty freaked out by it. Saw a nutritionist today, but basically all I learned was cut down on protein and no salt, but I need to lose about 40 pounds, how eating so little protein, she suggested 6 ounces per day. Anyone found the way???

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