Stage 4 CKD

Posted by b2byrne @b2byrne, May 18, 2024

Hi,
Last week Nephrology informed me that my kidney now functioning 22%
Even though I've been under the clinic for about 7 years I still struggle to understand why I have kidney problems. They don't know why either - none of the listed possible causes seems to apply to me but today on your site I read being African descent can be a factor. The kidney specialist I've been under has never mentioned this.
They now want to change my meds from Losatan to Dapaglifozin. Although it's medication for diabetes (which I do not have) he is telling me it could work to slow down the decline. But also it might not have any effect. Should I trust this? The side effects are horrendous.
Since they discovered I have CKD my once unbelievably low blood pressure has been rising. I put this down to the meds they've been giving me over the years. My blood pressure is now normal. Previously the phrase was "if you were not sat here I would say you were dead" it was that low. But I was a very active person in great health so it never bothered me. Has anyone out there used this Dapaglifozin as part of their treatment? Did it make a difference? The side effects are horrendous. I am so fearful of going on it. I am fearful my blood pressure keeps rising. I am fearful I have since developed high cholesterol since CKD treatment began. What's next?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Support Group.

Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | Jul 14, 2024

I’ve been following this thread. I’ve been labeled stage 4 CKD by my nephrologist. I am also diabetic and have a history of hypertension. Both are better controlled now. What I find interesting is that I was hospitalized at age 5 for Glomerular Nephritis (or so I’ve been told). I don’t remember except that I wasn’t allowed to stand or walk for some reason. People had to carry me everywhere. My mother tried a baby buggy or stroller and my older brother mercifully intervened suggesting a wagon. I was force fed copious amounts of water and though I know it is good for me, I dislike it to this day (I’m 67!). Even after I was discharged to home a visiting nurse came to do blood draws and administer shots. I spent the summer between kindergarten and 1st grade sitting on the couch or laying in a hammock on the back porch. My mom arranged play dates (before it was popular) for kids to play dolls, board games set up on a card table next to my perch and I colored a lot (including the bricks on the outside wall of the back porch until it was discovered). I also autographed those bricks. Thank God we didn’t have permanent markers in those days!