Hi Cheryl and welcome. I too have PKD with no prior family history. I know the diagnosis is quite a shock, and while you wish you'd never been told, you need to know so that you can take the necessary steps to take care of yourself. You need to watch your B/P, diet, lab results etc. As a dialysis tech you may already know all of that.

This is a great board with much information, and loving support. I don't think there is one of us that wasn't upset when first told they had PKD. Even those that have a family history of it. Please don't hesitate to bring your fears, questions, gripes or what ever to the board.  You will find that we are here for you, and hopefully, over time, after you have had a chance to digest this diagnosis you will begin to feel a bit more in control of your life.

I was diagnosed 26 yrs. ago, and at that time I thought it was all over for me, but here I am. If you've been reading much on the boards then you know that we have the whole gamut here. From the newly diagnosed, to people that have had  PKD for years, to people on dialysis, to people getting a transplant and even those that are post-transplant.

You have joined the very best support group out there!

Hope to hear lots more from you.

Maggie

"live your live" is good advice. "live your life wisely" would be even better advice.

the first thing to do is understand PKD is NOT a death sentence. it doesn't have to lead to kidney failure either and the better you deal with your overall health, the better your kidney longevity will be.

I will tell everyone, PKD or not, to follow a healthy, well balanced diet, avoiding excess salt, sugar and fats, don't smoke, drink in moderation or not at all, exercise, keep blood pressure under control, drink plenty of water, go easy on caffeinated beverages.

I hope you find a home with us here and we hear from you a lot in the future.