Stage 4 Kidney Disease

Hazel Said:

My uncle has said he has stage 4 kidney disease, was there a way to have known ahead of time this was coming?

We Answered:

I don't think he could have known unless it was in the family and he tested himself for it frequently. The symptoms he might have confused with something else. I'm sorry, but I don't know what you should do now, since I'm not an expert on kidney disease. You should really consult your doctor. He would know the best thing to do.

Ida Said:

stage 4 kidney disease, without treatment what things can we exspect to happen.?

We Answered:

Blood pressure increase, bringing a greater risk of hypertension or congestive heart failure.

Urea accumulation, leading to azotemia and eventually uremia. Uremia symptoms may range from lethargy to pericarditis and encephalopathy.

Potassium accumulation in the blood (hyperkalemia). Symptoms of hyperkalemia range from malaise to cardiac arrhythmias.

Decrease in erythropoietin synthesis, which may lead to anemia, and symptoms including fatigue.

Fluid volume overload, with symptoms rangin from mild edema to life-threatening pulmonary edema. Edema was formerly known as dropsy or hydropsy.

Decrease in phosphate excretion, leading to hyperphosphatemia.

Michael Said:

What is the life expectancy of a 90 year old woman with stage 4 kidney disease?

We Answered:

J;
This is a very difficult question to answer.The life expectancy of a North American is somewhere around 82 years of age.Given that the woman you speak of has already surpassed that, one can only guess what this particular woman's expectancy could be.
When it comes to stage 4 kidney disease, more detail would be required in order to assess what impact that would have on her longevity. Stage four means that there is still kidney function and that level would be important to know in order to guestimate when full End stage kidney disease could occur.Kidney failure is said to have occurred when the percentage of kidney function falls below 10%.Some people have lived many years on less than good levels, and each case has to be looked at individually.
If we look at the worst case scenario, the woman enters end stage kidney disease and requires dialysis. In this case, the life expectancy of a dialysis patient starting dialysis so late in life is somewhere between 2 to 5 years.
I really have to stress that the there is no scientific way to accurately predict life expectancy, and each case is different.There are many factors that need to be considered.
To be quite honest, I wouldn't want to put a precise figure, knowing that the accuracy of my prediction could be very poor indeed. The only statement that I'd make with confidence in this matter is that the woman is definitely playing the back nine right now.

Violet Said:

what is the life expectancy for a 24 year old woman just diagnosed as being in stage 4 chronic kidney disease?

We Answered:

If she stays on a healthy diet and monitors her kidney functions regularly with her doctor then she would easily live a normail lifespan.

Stacy Said:

I have stage 4 kidney disease also diabetes type 2 could I qualify for social security disability ?

We Answered:

You shoulg qualify for Social Security Disability for ESRD (End Stage Renal Disease), automatically if you have undergone home peritoneal dialysis training, or have begun peritoneal or hemodialysis. Your doctor will have to fill out some forms, as will you, and there may be a brief interview with a SSA personnel, sometimes done via telephone. ( At least that was the case when I applied, but that was about 15 years ago). But, provided you are continuing dialysis, you will be eligible for SSDI, Used to be that you were eligible for disability for up to 12 months after stopping dialysis, or 36 months after rreceiving a kidney transplant, fi ESRD was the sole reason for disability.
Have you discussed transplantation with your doctor yet? You should consider discussing this option, and looking into transplant centers in your area to list at, when the time comes. And remember -- you can list at more than one center, as long as the centers are not in the same area (i.e. state). Living in New Jersey, I listed for my last kidney transplant at both a NJ center, and a Pennsylvania center, and was called and transplanted at the PA center.

Discuss It!

JA said:

My mom is 72 and was just diagnosed w/ Stage 4 Kidney disease. Is stage 4 fatal or are there treatments to combat the problem?

said:

hi ja