Often confused with its slightly shorter to spell cousin creatine, creatinine is a waste product that every person with chronic kidney disease needs to know about. Creatinine is a normal substance to have in your body. It enters the blood stream when you digest certain foods and when muscle tissue breaks down. If you have… Continue reading How to Lower Creatinine Levels Naturally
Category: Conditions
Living with a health condition? On the PatientsLikeMe blog, find helpful health information and patient stories about being diagnosed, trying different treatments, and living day-to-day with a chronic condition.
3 Suicide Warning Signs to Look Out For
In 2023, suicide claimed the lives of 49,316 people in the United States. When a person dies by suicide, it affects family, friends, and communities, leaving them lost, confused, and in some cases, feeling responsible for their death. “Death by suicide” means intentionally ending your own life. It’s often a way for people who… Continue reading 3 Suicide Warning Signs to Look Out For
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