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World kidney day

Did you know that today is World kidney day?? According to Google around 3 million people in the UK live with CKD ( chronic kidney disease) Do you no how important your Kidneys are and what they actually do? Do you no anyone who is living with kidney problems? 8 years ago I had my son and he was born with a condition called posterior urethral valves which only affects boys. It means he had valves in his urethra that was causing his urine to reflux back up to his kidneys which has damaged them. He now only has one working kidney which also leaks. He has come along way since he was born but we still don't no what his out come will be at some point he could end up needing a transplant but for now he is a healthy 8 year old. Do you think kidney disease should be talked about more. Before I had lucas I was completely oblivious to how many different conditions are linked to kidneys and just how dangerous things can turn if they are undiagnosed! I hope this won't be closed I no its personal but I do think that it is important for people to no about kidney disease.

comments (59)

  • I know it's not the same, but I'm currently being treated for a kidney infection. I left it far too late to go to the docs and ended up with a 40+ fever and the shakes - I was ordered to the doctors immediately when I eventually phoned and warned of sepsis and permanent damage without prompt treatment! To answer your post- I don't think people really know enough about what kidneys actually do and how to look after them.
  • This is something very close to my heart as my brother had CKD and had to receive a transplant. I also have a close friend who has been through the same. I don’t think we realise the amazing doctors and service we have in relation to transplants in the UK. Organ trafficking is abhorrent but common in some countries, and government covered transplant services don’t exist in many counties, meaning only those who can buy an organ and pay for it survive. We are very lucky to have the incredibly skilled doctors we have in the UK, and a regulated donation system. CKD is on the rise due to lifestyle choices, which means it’s more important that it’s more important than ever that research is done and that we all donate after death.
  • We had bloods checked for DS2 recently to check for any underlying insides for delayed development - the highlighted notes from these has ‘kidney function normal’. I know it’s linked to all sorts but don’t really know the ins and outs (other than what Grey’s Anatomy tells me). 3 million is huge, I had no idea! My sister had hallucinations with a kidney infection once, it was scary. Glad Lucas is doing well Leigh!
  • I have Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis Type II which is basically dense deposit disease. I was diagnosed when I was 6, about half of people diagnosed progress end stage renal disease within 10 years it can also affect eyesight at this stage. There is no cure for this only blood pressure medication to try to ease the pressure on the kidneys. I am lucky that I am 20 years post diagnosis and although only one kidney functions, it functions enough not to need any further treatment yet. I am prone to kidney infections and 9 times out of 10 when I get one I will be hospitalised as most medication now doesn’t work for me and I need IV antibiotics to clear the infection.
  • I didnt know there was a kidney day! My 6year old daughter was hospitalised with nephrotic syndrome in july 2019. At the time she responded well to medication and i was told its likely the least serious type and likely to grow out of it. However she is currently on her 3rd relapse in 12months so has now been referred to great ormond street for specialist care. Im sure the next step will be a biopsy but in trying not to think about it yet. Navigating the last 12months through covid whilst she was immunosupressed on medication has been the hardest most anxious time. But she is just her usual exuberant self so i get stregnth from her. My love and thoughts with everyone battling these illnesses
  • KirstyVince said:
    I know it's not the same, but I'm currently being treated for a kidney…
    Lucas developed sepsis at 3 weeks old due to an undiagnosed kidney infection. He was given 20% chance of survival. I'm so lucky that he made it but it was scary. His kidney problems should have been picked up at birth but they weren't infact he was 10 weeks old when they realised what was wrong and he was in surgery at 12 weeks. Kidney infections are awful I really hope you feel better soon x
  • abegum83 said:
    I didnt know there was a kidney day! My 6year old daughter was hospita…
    I'm sorry your going thru all this especially with covid. How are you coping with it all? I'm not gonna lie I'm struggling my anxiety has gotten so bad over the last year
  • Srlehc4 said:
    I have Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis Type II which is basi…
    Do you no what your Kidney function is? Lucas was on BP medication for 3 years as his was so high but it has stabilised over the last 2 years so we were able to take him off it xx
  • Lucy_loo said:
    We had bloods checked for DS2 recently to check for any underlying ins…
    Lucas is doing so well. He will be 9 this year can you believe! Apart from his kidney issues he has also been diagnosed with ADHD and is now being assessed for autism to its been a long 2 years but we are finally getting somewhere. How have you been? Xx
  • leigh30 said:
    Lucas developed sepsis at 3 weeks old due to an undiagnosed kidney inf…
    Thank you. I'm just at the end of my antibiotics (which were awful), but I'm still so tired and sluggish. I feel like it may be a while before I am 100%. I'm glad they managed to treat Lucas in time, but it should have been picked up sooner! DS was treated for GBS/potential sepsis at birth and DD was treated for meningitis/sepsis. These kids do worry us silly x