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Coping & Caring for Your Mental Health


Living with a chronic disease like IgA Nephropathy isn’t easy

It’s not like having a headache, cold or upset stomach that, while unpleasant, will soon pass. Instead, with IgA Nephropathy, you’ll need to: 

  • Spend time learning about it, 
  • Make certain life changes, depending on your kidney function and how you’re feeling; and,
  • Take steps to manage it and protect your kidneys over the course of your lifetime. 

Everyone deals with IgA Nephropathy differently

There’s no question that it can take a toll on your mental health at times. You may be flooded by different feelings – fear, sadness, anxiety, even anger – at various times, especially when you or a loved one are first diagnosed. Finding support and playing an active role in your care is an essential part of managing the condition well and preserving your mental health.

Yet too often the emotional and mental side of living with IgA Nephropathy isn’t talked about or routinely assessed during follow-up health visits. 

  • Some patients may hesitate to broach the subject, perhaps because of the stigma that continues to surround mental health or not wanting to be a burden or take medical attention away from their kidneys. 
  • Other people – even those who’ve been living with the condition for a long time – will tell you they struggle sometimes. Some feel crippled with anxiety every time they await their test results, fearing it may show their kidney function has worsened.

Still, we know long-term stress can affect your overall health

For example, chronic stress can raise blood pressure, lead to depression, and make it harder to eat healthy, exercise, and keep up with other things that can help protect your kidneys and manage the condition over the long haul. 

Remember, it’s OK to have big feelings, but talk them through and don’t let them take over.

You may feel overwhelmed sometimes. But try to stay ahead of it. And remember, you’re not alone!

Be sure to speak up and ask for help if you need it.

Learning to recognize the feelings you have and manage them can help you feel better overall. Use the IgA Nephropathy Foundation’s Coping and Self-Care worksheet to help you: 

  1. Tune into your mental health and coping and 
  2. Broach the topic of coping and your mental well-being with your healthcare provider 

Explore this featured topic section to learn more and find healthy ways to cope and support your mental health and well-being. Many of the things you can do to ease stress will boost your overall health too.

CALM Benefit

Coping & Self-Care Worksheet

Get the Worksheet Here

Made Possible by Calliditas:

Read On To Learn More About

Mental Health & Common Stressors

Mental Health & Coping Self-Check & Tips 

Questions to Ask & Resources to Help

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(848) 298-4618

(732) 681-3462

PO Box 1322 Wall, NJ 07727

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May 14, Sunday: Mother’s Day & IgA Nephropathy Awareness Day

The IgAN Foundation was sparked by a mother’s love and has grown into a community sharing crucial resources and working toward a cure. This day kicks off a week of celebrating the IGA Nephropathy family all week!

May 15, Monday: Mindfulness

IgA Nephropathy can be challenging and mindfulness is an important part of caring for yourself. Take a moment today and implement a mindfulness practice, meditate, or take a few moments in reflection to check in with yourself.

May 16, Tuesday: Share Your Story

On this day, the Foundation will share the video with Warrior stories compiled (submit yours here if you haven’t yet). We encourage you to also share your own photos and videos from moments along your journey!

May 17, Wednesday: Wellness

What are you doing to feel well today? IgA Nephropathy can sometimes make life feel uncontrollable, but there are some things we can control, for example:

  • Enjoyable movement (a stretch, a walk, dancing to a favorite song)
  • Eating food that’s right for us individually
  • Checking in with ourselves
  • Meditating

May 18, Thursday: Thank those who care

Between care teams, care partners, and medical providers, a lot goes into the care that sustains us as we live with IgA Nephropathy. Take this opportunity to express your appreciation to them!

May 19, Saturday: Rally cry

When the IgA Nephropathy Foundation was created, there were no resources to treat IgA Nephropathy. Now, there are 2 approved FDA treatments and many clinical trials in the works. Our community is strong and full of hope— here’s to even more progress in the future!

May 20, Saturday: Celebration! 

We’ll be hosting an in-person celebration (details to come). We’ll miss you if you can’t make it, but please take the time to celebrate however works for you — wearing your IgAN Foundation sunglasses, spending time with loved ones, etc. — just be sure to share a photo and tag us!

References

  • Hall, Y.N., Fuentes, E.F., Chertow, G.M. et al. Race/ethnicity and disease severity in IgA nephropathy. BMC Nephrol 5, 10 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2369-5-10
  • Kiryluk K, Li Y, Sanna-Cherchi S, Rohanizadegan M, Suzuki H, et al. (2012) Geographic Differences in Genetic Susceptibility to IgA Nephropathy: GWAS Replication Study and Geospatial Risk Analysis. PLoS Genet 8(6): e1002765. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1002765