https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1G0WEsPxngX-lorVAL3c-jqkqrzy5wqud9iEqOHPB4Qc/edit#gid=0
My blood creatinine is at 2.3mg/dL which apparently isn't a clinically significant increase over the average 2.0mg/dL I've had since diagnosis in 2009, however combined with some other factors, explained below, I feel it does represent a slight decline in my kidney function and a sign I should make more of an effort to look after myself. This level of creatinine gives an estimated GFR (kidney filtration rate) of 33mL/min/1.73m2. Normal filtration is over 100. Filtration of less than 15 requires dialysis. Hoping I never get to that point.
Over the last few years I've noticed poor circulation in my legs, with red spots appearing on my lower legs and larger stains around the ankles (see photo).
I'm not sure how related this is to the kidney disease but for a while I used to sleep with my legs raised and it seemed to help. For the last few months however:
a) I've been doing less exercise as my bicycle (previously my main form of transportation) was stolen from my home and I was reluctant to buy another in case it suffered the same fate.
b) I kind of forgot about sleeping with my legs raised.
c) My blood pressure has tended to be elevated.
The reduced excercise has added a lump of fat on my belly and then a week ago I started feeling a strong pain inside one of my lower legs which seemed to fit the symptoms of some sort of blood clot. Ultrasounds have confirmed probable "deep vein thrombosis" and a specialist has put me on a (expensive) blood thinning drug for two weeks and given me some very stylish knee length compression socks to wear.
I've taken all this as yet another wake-up call to focus more on my health and making an effort to eat only healthy food and get lots of exercise and sleep. Regarding diet, I've been eating wheat over the last year or so, thinking that perhaps it wasn't particularly problematic. However given my worsening kidney function, I'm going to try eliminating it again for six months and see if any improvement is registered. I'll also be watching my consumption of salty foods, like cheese, which I've gradually been eating more of than previously. Stay tuned...
