Living With IgA Nephropathy
Take care of your well-being
Sometimes, it can be important to take some time to check in with yourself. Monitoring your mental and emotional well-being can be just as important as taking care of your physical health. Talk to your doctor to see if the activities below could help to manage your stress.
Exercise
Along with helping to improve your physical health, exercise releases endorphins that can help improve your mental health. In this video, IgA nephropathy experts from the University of Leicester and a Pilates instructor discussed ways to safely and confidently engage in low-intensity exercise.
For additional videos from the professionals at the Leicester IgAN Research Group, please click here.
Nutrition
A well-rounded care plan consists of a healthy diet. On this website, find recipes and learn some tips from a renal dietitian who helps people living with chronic kidney disease find the best food to fuel their bodies.
Stress management
Sometimes, taking your mind off things by getting lost in a story or a song can help your mental health. We have created a playlist to support you as you sit back and relax.
Exercise:
Along with helping to improve your physical health, exercise releases endorphins that can make you feel better. IgA nephropathy experts from the University of Leicester a pilates instructor discussed ways to safely and confidently engage in low-intensity exercise.
Nutrition:
A well rounded care plan consists of prioritizing a healthy diet. A renal dietitian has shared recipes and tricks for individuals living with chronic kidney diseases working to determine the appropriate food to fuel their bodies.
Stress Management:
Sometimes, taking your mind off things by getting lost in a story or a song can help your mental health. We have curated a playlist to support you as you sit back and relax.
Talking to others
Some of the best supporters you have are the people closest to you—your family and friends. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or troubled, sit down with someone you trust and open up to them. A safe and supportive environment can go a long way toward keeping you on track during your journey.
On the other side of the coin, if your loved one is living with IgAN, it can be challenging to find the right ways to share your support. If you are a caregiver or a care partner, here are some questions to consider asking:
“What can I do to help?”
“Do you need to talk?”
“How are you feeling?”
“How is your treatment going?”
And sometimes, you may not have to say anything. Just lending an ear may be enough for your loved one.
Judy's journey
Hi! My name is Judy, and in the summer of 2019, I was diagnosed with IgA nephropathy. With limited information, I was sent home to navigate my new reality of living with a chronic, rare autoimmune disease.
I felt alone. While I will always be grateful for the support of my husband and 5-year-old son, I did not know anyone that could truly understand the fear and anxiety I felt being diagnosed with a disease that I had never even heard of before.
In an effort to connect with others, I took to social media. There, I found a family of #IgANWarriors who helped me along my journey.
I am proud to be a member of the IgAN community, and I hope that other people diagnosed with this disease can learn to advocate for their own care and reach out. You are your greatest champion. Once I embraced that thought and learned to accept the support of my community, I didn’t feel so alone.
Judy is an actual patient living with IgA nephropathy.
Judy was compensated for her time.
Judy is committed to making sure that no one diagnosed with IgAN feels alone.
She shared her story, and now you can share yours.
Stay tuned for more stories from Judy, other individuals living with IgAN, and caregivers.
Looking for more information
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Resources
It can be a lot to deal with a disease like IgAN. You may be affected both physically and emotionally. You may feel isolated, anxious, or overwhelmed. Just know that you are not alone. Support is available, and it comes in many forms. It can be from your health care team, your family, or online resources and support groups. In particular, advocacy resources can be helpful to people living with IgAN, as it’s a rare disease and many people don’t know what it is. Below are some resources that may help you on your treatment journey.
Stay up to date on the latest resources
Links to advocacy organizations to connect with others
