Somebody tell me why CKD stage 3a or 3b is no big deal.

I tested positive for Covid. I was treating those symptoms with Tylenol, rest, tons of water. I’m in my mid 60s and have cystitis, I take estradiol. So there’s a burny feeling sometimes in my vaginal area. I’ve only had one UTI in several years. I was urinating normally (well my normal). I started going into seizures in the middle of the night. Could not control my muscles, hands, legs. I felt freezing and heat at the same time. Not typical chills but full on seizure type symptoms. Husband called 911. Thus sepsis began. My Procalcitonin blood test showed I was at level 4.2. 10 the highest but 4 is a danger zone.
When I saw my local Neph who communicates with my Mayo Neph, I shared my frustration that there is not an home UTI test available!

@mrainne wow! Glad you are okay! A home test would be such a great idea.

Please, get a new Nephrologist.

Thank you. That was what I felt was my next course of action. I appreciate it.

Hi, I wonder the same thing seems 3rd stage doesn’t seem to be such a big concern to doctors, but stage 4 is panic mode?

@redmax777 a big drop in a short period of time (from, say, 55 to 40) seems to be a concern, if it holds and doesn't bounce back up.

@redmax777 This is just my own personal opinion, as a "kidney disease warrior" for 20+ years. Kidney disease is not something that has a big focus during medical training. And the general practitioner does not get an understanding of just how critical kidney health is to the body as a whole. The impact of declining function is not addressed until critical values become critical. I believe if things were considered long before that point, there would be better outcomes, and less impact on a person's health.
Ginger

Just got a test with eGFR of 40, I suppose for nephrologists dealing with values in the teens that is no big deal. However I messaged the MD because I need to take something for trigeminal neuralgia and my usual med is bad for kidneys.

Hi Ginger; Thank you for your remarks...so true...My GFR was at 33 and I got it up to 46.I put myself on the best Kidney diet I could & cross referenced it with a diabetic diet even tho' I was told by the Kidney Doc diet wasn't really necessary as it was a broad spectrum diagnosis...and I refused to take Metformin suggested by my GP(contra indicated for people over 70 or with CKD....This was 5 yrs ago.....so far so good...I am now 85 hoping to stay healthy and continue painting; but am angry at the cavalier attitude of some docs. Wondering if going to see a Geriatrician would help...or how one would even do that? thanks for listening

@fromthehill Good for you for advocating like that. I followed a renal diet myself long before it was necessary. All my doctors told me it wasn't needed. But being able to minimize effects of worsening kidneys helped keep my eGFR stay higher for a longer time. Now I follow both renal diet and gout diet. Even though I am on daily dialysis now, diet and how food affects us is a major concern. Anything to keep as healthy as possible. And we all know that education for what works for us, is crucial.

At the wondrous age of 85, you have a lot to teach the young'uns! Yes, seeking counsel of a geriatrician couldn't hurt.
Ginger