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Polycystic Kidney Disease
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MelissaG109 posted:
I was diagnosed with PKD when I was 23, I am now 29. I have not been to see a specialist as I haven't had any real issues. I get the occasional UTI/kidney infections but I can usually feel them coming on and take measures to counteract them. I have done my own research and with personal experience, I have learned what foods/drinks to avoid. Lately, however, I have been experiencing fatigue and just recently sore calf muscles. The fatigue has been going on for about a month now and the sore calf muscles only started last week. I'm basically looking for any information concerning this until I can find and see a kidney specialist. I am going today for blood tests to check my CBC and TSH. I tried to give blood last month but was unable to because my iron was too low. Since then, I have been taking iron supplements but that has not helped with the tiredness at all. I'm concerned after my research that I am having some form of kidney failure.

Like I said, I am looking for a kidney specialist, but if anyone has any advice or information in the meantime, I would greatly appreciate it.
1 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Polycystic Kidney DiseaseI was diagnosed with PKD when I was 23, I am now 29. I have not been to see a specialist as I haven't had any real issues. I get the occasional UTI/kidney infections but I can usually feel them coming on and take measures to counteract them. I have done my own research and with personal experience, I have learned what foods/drinks to avoid. Lately, however, I have been experiencing fatigue and just recently sore calf muscles. The fatigue has been going on for about a month now and the sore calf muscles only started last week. I'm basically looking for any information concerning this until I can find and see a kidney specialist. I am going today for blood tests to check my CBC and TSH. I tried to give blood last month but was unable to because my iron was too low. Since then, I have been taking iron supplements but that has not helped with the tiredness at all. I'm concerned after my research that I am having some form of kidney failure. <br /> <br />Like I said, I am looking for a kidney specialist, but if anyone has any advice or information in the meantime, I would greatly appreciate it.
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MrsCora01 responded:
You really need to see a doc and get regular kidney lab work done. It tends to progress silently until you suddenly get symptoms. You could be anemic due to the kidneys. In some cases iron supplements help, but in many cases of kidney issues, the iron isn't absorbed that well and needs to be administered intravenously. Many kidney patients have this done. The cramping could be due to an electrolyte imbalance as well. What you are allowed to eat is often dictated by what your labwork says.

In the meantime work on cutting back on sodium (especially from processed food - it has a lot). If you have no swelling, I would also try to hydrate well as this helps take some of the pressure off the kidneys.

Best of luck finding a specialist.

Cora
Report This| Share this:Polycystic Kidney DiseaseYou really need to see a doc and get regular kidney lab work done. It tends to progress silently until you suddenly get symptoms. You could be anemic due to the kidneys. In some cases iron supplements help, but in many cases of kidney issues, the iron isn't absorbed that well and needs to be administered intravenously. Many kidney patients have this done. The cramping could be due to an electrolyte imbalance as well. What you are allowed to eat is often dictated by what your labwork says. <br /><br />In the meantime work on cutting back on sodium (especially from processed food - it has a lot). If you have no swelling, I would also try to hydrate well as this helps take some of the pressure off the kidneys.<br /><br />Best of luck finding a specialist.<br /><br />Cora
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