Stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD): What specialists do I see?

Immunotherapy killed my husband's transplanted kidney. It was a choice between the cancer (the result of immuno-suppression after the transplant) or living on dialysis. Squamous Cell Carcinoma is common in KIDNEY transplant patients - they don't know why. When you get a transplant, you MUST stay out of the sun and see a dermatologist regularly - an informed and tenacious dermatologist. My husband's dermatologist was neither of those things. My husband's form of SCC is spindle cell, and it is as aggressive as melanoma.

I find the complete reversal of dietary guidelines interesting. Before, and for the two years after the transplant, it was water, water, water. Now it is 32 oz per day, and that includes the water in food.

@kamama94 In the past 4 years my eGFR has ranged from 10 to 17. At the recommendation of my nephrologist, I had the fistula surgery done 3 1/2 years ago. Still not on dialysis yet. If my eGFR was 33 and holding steady, I would not have the surgery. If it was dropping, I would begin thinking about it, but would probably wait until it was lower. That's my opinion.

I was shocked when I read recent notes and documents on my Mayo portal which stated I had stage 3 kidney disease. No one ever told me that previously. I’m just wondering other people’ s responses; how is it diagnosed? What specific blood tests reveal it, if any? What works for trying to reverse this diagnosis, or is it already too late?

One way it is diagnosed is by a Cystatin C text. It checks your eGFR.

Hi @basslakebabe19, you'll notice that I moved your message to the Kidney & Bladder group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/kidney-conditions/

It is shocking news to hear that you have stage 3 kidney disease. You're asking the right questions "how is it diagnosed? What specific blood tests reveal it, if any? What works for trying to reverse this diagnosis, or is it already too late?" and members here in this discussion and others can help, like @kamama94 @2011panc @rosemarya @gaybinator @trishanna @fiesty76 and others.

While we wait for other members to join the conversation, you may be also interested in these discussions:
- Stage 3 Kidney Disease and Diet: What can I eat? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/3rd-stage-kidney-disease/
- Stage 3/4 Kidney disease: I need support before my appointment https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-need-support/

Basslakebabe, have you made an appointment to see a specialist?

I think my primary knows I prefer the lower BP readings so he goes along with it . However I only see the cardiologist once a year and the primary every 4 months so at times I feel he should really be handling the BP meds. The cardiologist put me on the amlodipine because my BP kept spiking high in the late afternoons 150/90 or higher. I really don't care for it because it causes my feet to swell up, one of it's side effects. Do you ever feel like just saying the heck with it all . I mean I get frustrated with these doctors at times. But then again were would we be without them. Hope you get some answeres to your a-fib problems. I get those on occasion, when I am stressed out or tense.