Flying with Kidney Disease: What You Need to Know

Have a trip coming up? Wondering what steps you need to take to prepare for your flight so that your chronic kidney disease does not throw you any curveballs? Whether or not you are at an early stage of CKD or more advanced, there are easy ways for you to travel safely. All it may… Continue reading Flying with Kidney Disease: What You Need to Know

Managing CKD Fatigue While Parenting

Parenting is one of the most exhausting jobs in the world. When you add a chronic condition like chronic kidney disease into the mix, it can feel like you are constantly running on empty! Many parents living with long-term health conditions get fatigue, burnout, or feel guilt about not being able to do “enough.” But… Continue reading Managing CKD Fatigue While Parenting

Empowering Patients Through Goal Tracking: Insights From PLM’s Rapid Survey

PatientsLikeMe recently launched a rapid survey to its members focusing on health goal setting. Within 48 hours, over 100 patients responded, underscoring both the relevance of the topic and strong patient engagement. Results indicated that 92% of respondents considered personal health goals important in managing their condition, with the majority rating them “very important.” Furthermore, 69%… Continue reading Empowering Patients Through Goal Tracking: Insights From PLM’s Rapid Survey

Tips for Balancing Protein Intake While On Dialysis

If you have chronic kidney disease (CKD) and are on dialysis, you may know that your body’s protein needs change. Getting the right amount of protein is a delicate balance! Too little can lead to muscle loss and weakness, while too much can create extra waste in your blood that your kidneys cannot handle. What… Continue reading Tips for Balancing Protein Intake While On Dialysis

Steps to Reduce Feelings of Guilt and Shame Around Chronic Illness

When you have a chronic illness, emotions can come in waves. Shock, frustration, sadness, anger, and sometimes even guilt or shame! These feelings are normal, but they can also weigh you down emotionally and physically. Many people blame themselves for the state of their health or the things they cannot do anymore. Others feel ashamed… Continue reading Steps to Reduce Feelings of Guilt and Shame Around Chronic Illness

Is A.I. Changing CKD Diagnosis? Breaking Down 6 Studies

Artificial intelligence (A.I.) is rapidly changing every part of daily life. This includes healthcare! It can be in areas ranging from how new medicines are discovered to how diseases like chronic kidney disease (CKD) are diagnosed and managed. CKD itself is a growing concern, affecting millions of people around the world. One of the biggest… Continue reading Is A.I. Changing CKD Diagnosis? Breaking Down 6 Studies

Why Your Joint Pain May Be Gout and Not Rheumatoid Arthritis

Have you woken up in the morning with painful, swollen joints? You may assume it is rheumatoid arthritis. RA affects millions of people around the world. However, if you have chronic kidney disease (CKD), joint pain might not caused by rheumatoid arthritis! It could instead be gout. Gout is a type of arthritis that develops… Continue reading Why Your Joint Pain May Be Gout and Not Rheumatoid Arthritis

How Participating in a Cancer Trial Gave Me a Life Skill That Helps Me Manage My Lupus

Why I Joined a Clinical Trial In this edition of PatientsLikeMe’s series “Why I Joined a Clinical Trial,” we feature the story of Ginger Hermes Ortiz, who has been living with chronic myeloid leukemia and systemic lupus erythematosus. She shares why participating in one trial helped her learn how to manage the mental toll of… Continue reading How Participating in a Cancer Trial Gave Me a Life Skill That Helps Me Manage My Lupus

Being in a Clinical Trial Taught Me a Lot About My Disease

Why I Joined a Clinical Trial In this edition of PatientsLikeMe’s series “Why I Joined a Clinical Trial,” we feature the story of Ay Me Han, age 44, who was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus at age 15. She explains why she’s always eager to participate in new research. My Story: Ay Me Han Every… Continue reading Being in a Clinical Trial Taught Me a Lot About My Disease

Can Kidney Disease Cause Heart Problems Even in Early Stages?

When you think about the side effects of kidney disease, your mind probably first goes to problems like fatigue or swelling. But what many people do not realize is that kidney disease also affects your heart, sometimes even before the kidneys have lost a lot of function. Early stage CKD can still have an affect… Continue reading Can Kidney Disease Cause Heart Problems Even in Early Stages?