Told I had kidney disease at stage 3

I completely understand. I'm 54 and have stage 3a with kidney atrophy. I've stopped taking medications that are harmful to my kidneys. I would have stopped them years ago if I had been told my kidney function was declining.

@susanna1212 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I am sure there are many discussions for you to follow, as you journey through chronic kidney disease! It sounds like the root cause of your stage 3a is medication side effects, correct?

Sometimes people aren't aware of the possibilities of different side effects. Some medications may not be an issue for some people, where those same things will cause a problem for others. That is why it is such a mystifying situation. It's definitely not "one size fits all"!

You might want to do a review with your doctor to make sure you are being as gentle on your kidneys as possible. And, over-the-counter NSAIDS like naproxen and ibuprofen are greatly discouraged at the stage you are on. And one other note, sometimes we take a medication and find out much later there were unwanted kidney side effects. That is what happened to my cousin, who had taken a cardiac med decades before.
Ginger

@gingerw Thank you!

My husband was just diagnosed with stage 3 . He was prescribed lokelma 10 mg. TID. with a price of $ 33.45 per pack. I don’t know if anyone else has this problem of not being able to afford it.

My experience is that I was not told which stage I was in - had to look at the lab results. My experience is that my blood work bounces around so just went from 3B to 4a and back again. I am 86 and a bit underweight because of dietary restrictions. Annoy my doctor by refusing dialysis. Unfortunately kidneys do wear out. I am afraid I am a bit pragmatic. Medicines keep us alive but also cause damage to other organs. Considering medical changes I have lived far longer than I expected when younger.

@lillym Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I just went to the Lokelma website and found a savings card. This may be useful to you? https://www.lokelma.com/support-program/savings-card

What is your husband doing to lower his potassium levels? That would include eliminating potatoes, oranges and other citrus fruits, bananas, tomatoes from his diet.
Ginger

@gingerw he is on a low potassium diet. I’ve been reading that ginger tea is recommended.
It is difficult to find low potassium foods.

@lillym
Here is a link from WebMD that gives you some ideas for potassium levels in foods: https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/low-potassium-diet-foods
And from the National Kidney Foundstion: https://www.kidney.org/sites/default/files/NKF_Guide_to_Low_Potassium_Diet_Final_0.pdf

As for myself, I have to take potassium supplements! I am on daily dialysis, and also take a strong diuretic. We find that controlling levels of calcium, potassium, and phosphorous is critical in kidney disease, and even more so when you are on dialysis.

Hoping theses links will help you, and please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with?
Ginger

Hey hope everything is well . I am 41 years old and I also was diagnosed with stage 3 kidney disease which my primary doctor never mentioned it to me sadly at my age now is at stage 4 . I was a really healthy person with no issues at all. Not I have high blood pressure, dizziness, weak,nauseous , I think these doctors should be held accountable for this since they are the ones who are responsible and are the one a with the degree of being a doctor. I hope everything goes great for you my blessings.

@susanna1212 hello Susana I totally agree with you I’m the part you mentioned if the doctors would had warned you about the kidney failure sooner . I think they as our doctors should be held accountable for this horrible disease. I am 41 and I was ever told about my kidney disease until it was at stage 3 I was wondering what happen to stage 1, and 2 they couldn’t tell me and I would have saved my kidney and avoid having to go through this side affects I deal with at my joint age thanks to my unprofessional doctors. I’m sorry you going through this as well I send you my blessings and hope you are doing good .