Hi, basslakebabe, Like you my stage 3 CKD diagnosis in 2019 came utterly out of the blue. My pcp had ordered an ultra sound test to try to determine continuing unexplained wt loss. That scan report mentioned "evidence of renal disease". Wow! I googled to learn more.
I immediately made an appt. with my pcp for a referral to a nephrologist. After greetings exchanged, first words from neph. were: you have stage 3 renal disease. Nearly fell out of the chair...literally! because I'd already read of the 5 stages.

Thought something in the ultra results had informed her of the stage but it was later at home looking over the most recent pcp blood work/urine labs from pcp that I found the GFR 54 which meant stage 3, CKD. The pcp had mentioned nothing to me about previous or current GFR even when I asked her for the neph. referral! I think it was just a general CBC lab test that showed the GFR number.

Immediately upon diagnosis, I began researching kidney disease; put myself on a recommended renal diet, and found a kidneyschool.org website, along with excellent info from MayoClinic, that provided additional very helpful information.

The neph. told me to stop all NSAIDS like Advil, Aleve and others and to use Tylenol as my otc pain med in the future. Advil had been my "go to" for occasional back pain relief for years.

While I believe my kidney disease had probably been progressing for years without any symptoms or alerts from my pcp, I realized that I had taken many steroids over the years for chronic bronchitis as well as a slew of antibiotics for infections. I also have high b.p. and was diagnosed with pre-diabetes this past year...both closely associated with kidney disease.

From what I've read, once the scarring or damage has been done the kidneys, a reversal to "normal" isn't possible, I do want to stress that by putting myself on a renal diet, I improved my GFR from 54 to 68 within 2-3 months of the second lab test. So while the kidneys may not be completely "cured", they can be managed to Slow progression and/or maintain levels by changing some lifestyle habits. The big help for me has been adhering to "eating for my labs". If one value, like potassium for ex., is higher than the previous report, I further restrict potassium foods.

You have come to a very knowledgeable and supportive forum, made up of patients at all levels of CKD. The info. shared among members is both helpful and hope producing for me. Some have lived for years productively ff kidney transplants and others share how they are managing while on dialysis. Other members like us are new to the diagnosis and initially feeling overwhelmed; still others are at every stage in between.

Regardless of which stage, members have stressed the ff for any CKD diagnosed patient: the importance of self-directed learning about the disease and ways to better manage it; the importance of becoming very proactive in dealing with doctors and learning to understand lab reports; the need to make diet changes based on each individual's specific situation. One of the most valuable and reassuring benefits for me is realizing that we truly are not alone with this diagnosis and that there are others who are walking this walk and are willing to be supportive without pretending to give medical advice.

Unfortunately, it took 4 requests to my pcp and neph. to get a referral to a dietician and to get a prescription for an appetite enhancer. I fear many docs pay little attention until the labs show values so out of line that some form of treatment is required. For that reason, I encourage you to write down your questions and persist with your docs until you get answers.

Receiving a combined diabetes/kidney diet plan has simplified my life enormously. My pre-diabetes in now normal and my last GFR had improved another 2 points. With the appetite enhancer, my appetite returned and I began regaining some of the 29 lbs lost over the past 12 months.

It is good to "meet" another newbie here and hope you will continue to post and ask questions. Members here understand and care.