Learn more about IgAN through the IgA Nephropathy Foundation IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) is an autoimmune disease that attacks the kidneys. It usually progresses slowly, but some people with IgAN eventually develop end-stage kidney disease, which means they will need dialysis or a kidney transplant.   Nearing dialysis or kidney transplantation can be an especially emotional time and can come with a series of stressors. There are often a lot of decisions to be made, but also a lot of “hurry up and wait” and these lulls of time can be hard. It’s important to stay in tune with your thoughts, emotions and support systems.  We are grateful to welcome back our guest Dr. Daniel Cukor, clinical psychologist and director of Behavioral Health at the Rogosin Institute in New York City, to discuss some of the common struggles and coping mechanisms that often come into play at this stage of IgAN.  In this episode, we talk about what people can do when beginning dialysis or preparing for kidney transplantation. Here are three suggestions from Dr. Cukor:   ●        Adopt a positive mindset that helps you to focus on how you move forward from here and practice gratitude and appreciation (seeing the glass as half full versus half empty) ●        Try to optimize your mental health, including getting professional help, so that you can better cope and navigate the illness. Don’t run on empty or you’ll feel overwhelmed. [AC1]   ●        People often have procedure anxiety. Get as much information as you can so that you have an accurate perception of what it will be like; talking to other people who are a few steps ahead of you can be helpful. ●        Be proactive about your mental health, especially if you’re feeling depressed or are having difficulty sleeping  Dr. Cukor also shares practical things you can do for self-care, such as scheduling physical activity into your day, leaning in to people living with IgAN who can share their experiences, spending time with friends or family, looking for ways to make the time spent in dialysis more meaningful, or talking with a mental health professional.  It’s okay to ask for help at any point in the journey so you don’t feel alone.  Connect with Dr. Daniel Cukor: Rogosin Institute Profile LinkedIn

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