Dad thinks he has Chronic kidney disease

[Totallybannanas]

He is 79 just wondering what this means and what they can do about it 🫤

[2dogsandabudgie]

I remember my dad being told this when he was in his 80s. I asked the Dr. what it meant as my dad had never had any kidney problems. He said it just meant that because of his age his kidneys weren't functioning at their best which is understandable. I suppose when you think about it as we get older out organs aren't as efficient as they were when we were younger. He didn't need any treatment for it and didn't have any symptoms.

[FlatWhiteExtraHot]

My mum has stage 4 chronic kidney disease and as long as she takes her medication she’s ok.

When she lived at home she was non-compliant with her meds and she got quite ill (she’s also got the co-morbidities of heart failure and high blood pressure) but since she moved into a care home where they make sure she takes them and manage her fluids, her health has improved massively.

CKD has 5 stages it’s worth finding out which stage your dad is at. 1-2 aren’t too much to worry about, 3 is around half function and 4 is serious but manageable.

[JennyMule]

There are different levels of CKD (stages 1-5.) You may find Kidney Care Uk useful. Many kidney patients are just monitored (urine and blood tests, BP monitoring)

[Totallybannanas]

Thank you for your replies. I was just worried as he isn't feeling well when I spoke to him and he says he thinks he has chronic kidney disease. Obviously because of his age I was worried.

[Doublevodka]

I’m a kidney nurse. It depends what stage he is. If he is stage 4 he should be monitored. If he is stage 5, he should be referred to the renal team for a discussion about having dialysis or not.

[MereDintofPandiculation]

I had this appear on my notes. GP said nothing to worry about, most people get it. So I think what’s happening is that it gets picked up at an early stage in the regular blood monitoring of older people, but unless it’s at a later stage they don’t bother to mention it to you. So if he’s seen it on his blood test results, then worth checking with GP to set his mind at rest but it’ll probably turn out to be not worth worrying about.

[Zanatdy]

My mum’s had it for years and caused very few issues. I’d say 25yrs plus she’s had it. I think she’s stage 3 now, but it took years to progress from stage 2-3

[MagnoliatheMagnificent]

My Dad has stage 4. He is being monitored but not on any meds I think. What medicine should he be on? He has just been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, could that be related?

[Totallybannanas]

I don't think so but he has said he has woke up breathless some nights and panicked could this all be linked?