 |
Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast | Kidney Health PodcastAuthor: Dee Moore
Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast is an award-winning kidney health podcast hosted by Kidney Patient, Vlogger, Speaker and Advocate, Dee Moore. Each episode features either a kidney patient (including people: living with chronic kidney disease not yet on dialysis, on dialysis, and kidney transplant recipients), a leading healthcare professional, a living donor or a care partner, sharing their unique experiences and expertise across every stage of the kidney journeyfrom chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney disease prevention to dialysis, transplantation, living donation, nutrition, emotional wellbeing and the latest advances in kidney care. Whether you are living with kidney disease, supporting a loved one, working in healthcare or simply want to understand kidney health better, this podcast is here to educate, empower and inspire. Expect real stories, expert advice and practical information to help you navigate life with kidney disease with greater knowledge, confidence and hope. Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast is proud to partner with Kidney Care UK, helping to raise awareness of kidney disease and amplify the voices of the kidney community. Educate. Empower. Inspire. Language: en-gb Genres: Alternative Health, Health & Fitness, Medicine Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
Listen Now...
Episode 169: IgA Nephropathy: Brittany’s 8-Year Journey to Diagnosis, Treatment & Self-Advocacy
Episode 170
Sunday, 27 September, 2026
What happens when your kidney function looks normal, but something is still wrong? In this episode of Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast, Dee Moore is joined by Brittany, a wife, mom, veterinary professional and kidney disease advocate, who shares her journey to being diagnosed with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) after years of uncertainty. Brittany’s kidney journey began in 2016, when symptoms initially resembling a urinary tract infection led to further investigations. Despite ongoing concerns, protein in her urine and repeated appointments with healthcare professionals, her kidney function remained good and a kidney biopsy was not initially pursued. It wasn’t until September 2024 that a kidney biopsy finally provided the answer: IgA nephropathy, with secondary characteristics of minimal change disease. Brittany shares openly about the long road to diagnosis, living with fatigue before knowing what was happening in her body, her experience of pregnancy during that period and what it was like finally to have a name for the condition she had been living with for years. The conversation also explores an important and sometimes misunderstood aspect of kidney disease: good kidney function does not always tell the whole story. Brittany explains why reducing proteinuria became such an important part of protecting her kidneys, even while her kidney function remained high. Brittany also talks candidly about IgA nephropathy treatment, including difficult side effects she experienced with one medication, hospitalisation, the impact on her kidney function, liver enzymes and blood counts, and the decisions she and her medical team faced when considering what to try next. She later shares her experience with a different treatment and the significant reduction in proteinuria she personally experienced — while recognising that every person’s response to treatment can be different. Throughout the conversation, one message comes through again and again: advocate for yourself. Drawing on her own experience — and 16 years working in veterinary medicine advocating for animals who cannot speak for themselves — Brittany explains what patient self-advocacy can actually look like. From asking questions and seeking second opinions to using reliable research and connecting with others living with the same condition, she encourages people with kidney disease to use their voice, even when doing so feels uncomfortable. In this episode: • Brittany’s kidney journey from 2016 to diagnosis in 2024 • The long road to an IgA nephropathy diagnosis • Kidney biopsy and finally getting answers • Fatigue and life before diagnosis • Understanding IgA nephropathy (IgAN) • Proteinuria and why it matters • Why treatment may be needed even when kidney function is preserved • Brittany’s personal experiences of treatment and side effects • The emotional impact of living with chronic kidney disease • Why kidney function does not always tell the whole story • Patient self-advocacy and asking questions • Seeking a second opinion when you need one • The importance of sharing kidney patient stories and knowing you are not alone 🎧 Listen to the full audio episode and follow Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast on your favourite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. 📺 Prefer to watch? The audio + visual version of this conversation is also available on the Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast YouTube channel. 💬 Join the conversation: What part of Brittany’s story resonated with you? Share the episode with someone who may benefit from hearing her experience. ⚠️ Disclaimer: The experiences shared in this episode are Brittany’s personal lived experience of IgA nephropathy. Everyone’s kidney journey is different, and this conversation is not intended to be individual medical advice. This episode includes discussion of medicines and treatment. Please do not start, stop or change any medication or treatment based on what you hear in this episode. Always speak to your kidney team or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional for advice personalised to you. Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast shares real stories and expert conversations to educate, empower and inspire people living with kidney disease and those who support them. Follow Diary of a Kidney Warrior: 📸Instagram: www.instagram.com/diaryofakidneywarrior 📘Facebook: www.facebook.com/diaryofakidneywarrior 🐦Twitter (X): www.twitter.com/diaryofakidneyw 🎵Tik Tok: @diaryofakidneywarrior 📺Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChGUfib7lu9eKENlLJ6lafw 🔵 BlueSky: @diaryofakidneyw.bsky.social 💌 Join the Diary of a Kidney Warrior Family Mailing List Get updates on new episodes, vlogs, newsletters, and more! 👉🏽👉 Sign up here: https://diaryofakidneywarrior.getform.com/rjv47 📲 Follow Diary of a Kidney Warrior on WhatsApp Stay updated with new episodes and exclusive content! 👉🏽👉 Join here: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaO3ms71iUxipp1eeh2r 📲 Follow Brittany on Instagram: @chronicallydeterminedjourney Kidney Care UK 💻 Website: www.kidneycareuk.org 📧 info@kidneycareuk.org 📞Tel: 01420 541 424 📘Facebook: www.facebook.com/kidneycareuk.org 📷Instagram: @kidneycareuk 🔵Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/kidneycareuk.bsky.social 📺YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqQTdAsEzXphqjHVtcTD-A 📩 To sign up to receive the Kidney Matters Quarterly Magazine Email: info@kidneycareuk.org Kidney Care UK's Kidney Kitchen Kidney Kitchen recipes are very carefully analysed and approved by the British Dietetic Association Renal Nutrition Specialist Group (RNG). https://www.kidneycareuk.org/about-kidney-health/living-kidney-disease/kidney-kitchen/ Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your doctor, consultant, or qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual health needs and before making any medical decisions. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, the Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast, or Kidney Care UK and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organisation, company, individual or anyone or anything. #IgANephropathy #IgAN #KidneyDisease #ChronicKidneyDisease #CKD #KidneyHealth #Proteinuria #KidneyBiopsy #KidneyFunction #KidneyDiseaseAwareness #KidneyPatient #KidneyWarrior #PatientAdvocacy #SelfAdvocacy #KidneyDiseasePodcast #HealthPodcast #DiaryOfAKidneyWarriorPodcast
