Q: My uncle, 64 years old, is a diabetic patient from the last 15 years. He is under treatment. Till a few months back his creatinine level was 2 - 2.1. Now suddenly his creatinine level has been fluctuating from 2.8 - 3.7 with urea level 50-61. Sugar levels are fine. The protein ratio is 5.3. The doctor said that he is in CKD Stage 5 (CR-CL 14.44) and has advised medicine with Zyrop (EPO) 4000 once weekly. He is very weak and cannot bear dialysis. Can we survive him on medicine for atleast one year without dialysis?

A:Your uncle has advanced kidney disease related to diabetes. His kidney function is less than 15%. At this stage of kidney disease the only way he can get better is by effective good dialysis and good nutrition. There are no medicines any where in the world, which can reverse the damage to the kidney to the best of my knowledge. I recommend he should start dialysis. People live well for many years on dialysis. Good dialysis is available in many places. Choose a place close to your residence.