Stage 3a kidney disease: looking for info

What type of Whey protein do you use?

@mjyarrum Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. As you go through the various posts and discussions, it will be easy to become overwhelmed! A recurring theme that many members express, is that our medical doctors often dismiss declining kidney function as "no big deal" until it is. As kidney patients, we learn to advocate for ourselves and be proactive.

The biggest thing we can do is change our lifestyle: a healthy kidney friendly diet, moderate exercise, lowered stress, mindful medications, etc. Understanding what may be the underlying cause of our kidney disease will let you address that. Uncontrolled/untreated high blood pressure or diabetes are the two leading causes of CKD, but there are also genetic factors, medication side effects, and lifestyle choices. Perhaps you want to take a close look at the medications you are on, and assess their long-term effect on your system? Having a frank discussion with your doctors puts them on notice that you are standing up for yourself! Ask for a referral to a nephrologist [kidney specialist].

How are you doing today?
Ginger

I too have 3rd stage due to my disease: Relapsing Polychondritis (autoimmune).
I try to eat less protein (kidneys do not like protein) and salt (two very difficult things for me).
My Nephrologist said.... 'if numbers remain stable... that is good'.
So... each time I take my urine tests... I hold my breath a bit to see if my numbers have not run all over the place.
I also 'count my blessings' each day.... gratitude.... helps a lot!

I'm on around 12 meds for 4 co-morbidities - and for limiting the effects of them (ie D3K2/Calcium to mitigate effects of Prednisolone on Bones/Teeth): DCM, AF, CKD and PMR (a number of them, the health warning on the labels say shouldn't be taken with others listed. Ditto, with food: what's good for one complaint is bad for another (the classic being Spinach.) So, without a doubt the kidneys are under pressure filtering all that. The idea of having an assessment of the long term effects of the meds on my system, as you suggest, is one I will try. But a request for a referral to a nephrologist has already been turned down on the grounds I'm borderline Stage II/3a.

I was not told that I could improve the rate of deterioration of my remaining kidney by monitoring my diet and activities. I can’t understand why a patient is not advised to eliminate food that is harder for the kidneys to process in order to prolong the functioning of the kidney.

I also found on annual CBC that I have stage 3 kidney problem. Again cardiologist said normal w 80 year old with my other chronic conditions. But I worry how easy it wii be to get worse. Some things, like certain foods, are contradictory to what I’m told to eat for cardiovascular health. I am still having trouble keeping BP under control even w medication, and that’s one of the factors that make kidney function worse. I just feel confused and scared, since I have 2 friends on kidney dialysis. I don’t know what to do and all I get is conflicting information. Any suggestions?

Many primary care physicians (PCP) don’t take the early stages of kidney disease seriously. You have to ask questions & explanations about your lab results and advocate for yourself. Ask for a referral to nephrology and to a dietician that specializes in renal nutrition. Even then you have to fight for what you want. I am diabetic and have a history of hypertension. When I learned that these are the most common causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) I had to seek out a referral to nephrology. When I started with my nephrologist I was already in stage 3 CKD. My nephrologist told me I wouldn’t have to worry about kidney problems for a “long time”. It occurred to me that he had seen much worse cases than me. So I had to insist that I didn’t want to become one of those cases. I told him that I needed him to help me keep from getting there.We discussed what he meant by “long time” and considered treatment options (medications, diet, dialysis and transplant). He also referred me to a dietician. I found one who specialized in diabetes and renal conditions. I told him that I expected collaboration with my endocrinologist and my PCP. I wanted everyone to be on the same team. That was 16 years ago. I’m now stage 4 CKD but I’m still here. I haven’t required dialysis &/or kidney transplant yet.

Thank you.

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At the beginning of my renal journey I was also told by PCP AND neurologist that I was getting old, deal with it and diet changes would not help! My GFR was 29 due to changes in co-morbidities. I was already on Connect for other issues so I did my extra reading and read the suggestions here. I majorly focus on Mentors’ suggestions, which was ‘’go with diet changes’’! Diet plays a very important role in most medical issues so I put myself on renal diet ‘’cold turkey’’ …had already stopped salt 55 years ago. My GFR improved on first subsequent lab and is now ‘’normal’’ again. I do ‘’cheat’’ for special occasions, like a great grandchild who wants me to share his/her birthday dinner, but I am very happy with all suggestions here!!!

@shani Great story! Keep up the diet and perhaps add a little exercise. Your eGFR may change over time, but it is important to remember the trend of your eGFR. Stability is the most important factor with this disease. Also, try to improve on any cardiac, diabetes, and cholesterol lab scores if needed.