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I am 46 years old! Has anyone here been living with CKD from a similar age?

A MyKidneyDiseaseTeam Member asked a question 💭
Scotland UK

My last eGFR was 46, and I've not seen a Nephrologist as of yet so I'm unsure what my future looks like. blood pressure & cholesterol levels normal, and I'm not diabetic
I don't smoke or drink alcohol.

I have plaque build up in the arteries but wont know the cause until I see a vascular specialist
I was diagnosed by my GP with Atherosclerosis but at a recent appointment a cardiologist informed me that this needs to be clarified by a Vascular specialist which he referred me to.
Whatever the… read more

March 24 (edited)
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MyKidneyDiseaseTeam

How are you managing with an eGFR of 46 and symptoms that overlap between CKD and Long COVID?

With an eGFR of 46, you're in stage 3b CKD, which indicates moderate kidney damage. Many of the symptoms you're experiencing—fatigue, brain fog, cognitive impairment, and muscle cramps—are common in CKD at this stage. These happen Show Full Answer

How are you managing with an eGFR of 46 and symptoms that overlap between CKD and Long COVID?

With an eGFR of 46, you're in stage 3b CKD, which indicates moderate kidney damage. Many of the symptoms you're experiencing—fatigue, brain fog, cognitive impairment, and muscle cramps—are common in CKD at this stage. These happen when waste products build up in your blood as your kidneys filter less efficiently.

The overlap with Long COVID symptoms can make things confusing. Recent research shows that COVID-19 may actually accelerate kidney function decline. People who've had COVID-19 experienced faster drops in eGFR compared to those who had other illnesses like pneumonia. For those hospitalized with COVID-19, the decline was even more significant.

So yes, they can go hand in hand—COVID-19 may have contributed to worsening kidney function, and both conditions share similar symptoms like fatigue and brain fog.

Your symptoms include:
* Fatigue and weakness
* Brain fog and cognitive issues
* Muscle cramps and stiffness
* Muscular aches

These are all recognized symptoms of CKD, particularly as kidney function declines. The vascular issues you mentioned could also be connected, as kidney disease can affect multiple organ systems including the heart and blood vessels.

Seeing a nephrologist will be important for understanding your specific situation and creating a treatment plan to slow progression.

March 24

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