What to do if EGFR is 19?

Posted by anet @anet, May 11, 2023

My husband has been seeing a nephrologist for several years since he had aortic aneurysm repair. His kidney function has been stable until now. The dye possibly damaged his kidneys and his egfr is now 19!

His metabolic panel numbers have been mostly normal, but now his creatinine is up. His urinalysis is normal, no protein or albumin in it. His sodium and potassium levels are normal. He has recent blood work and we received the reports but have not talked to the doctor. However the PA has sent a message referring him to a Davita Kidney Class mentioning dialysis. He has slight anemia iron level 11.7 and is on iron and vitamin D. I don’t understand all of the tests, but his doctor has been saying he is stable and in stage 4. He dies not have a lot of energy, but he walks a mile a day, mows grass, plays nine holes of golf a couple of times a week. And helps with housework by vacuuming. We are watching salt and he is not diabetic. I know this is rambling, but I am hoping someone can help me make some sense of it u til we see his doctor. His next appointment is not u til August, but I am going to call for a sooner one. Thanks for any comments.

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chillip | @chillip | May 24 11:50am

Hi! He had CABGX2 in 2018, hx HBP, pre diabetic. On statins and BP meds. Last GFR was 19. Feels good, active.

anet | @anet | May 25 10:43pm

In reply to @chillip "@anet how is your husband doing?" + (show)

@chillip Hello, I see you are responding to my post from 3 years ago. A lot has happened since then. Things were still the same until January 2025. Egfr still about 19. But early January 2025 we both had Covid and he had a heart attack mid January. Lots of damage. Ejection fraction was 15, but improved to 25. Still very low. He is not doing well now even though he has a pacemaker/defibrillator. Not much energy and short of breath. Can no longer play golf. Appetite is not good. We see the kidney doctor Thursday —May 28. Most recent egfr was 16. Not good. Don’t know if it is the heart or kidneys causing most of the problems. Probably a combination. His heart doctor wants him on a CPAP machine, but he is having a hard time getting used to it. He has daytime sleepiness, but I don’t think it will help. I’m afraid he will have to go on dialysis. However he says he will not. Thanks for asking about him. Do you have CKD? If so I hope you are in early stage and can get help. Good bless you.

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | May 26 8:31am

In reply to @chillip "Hi! He had CABGX2 in 2018, hx HBP, pre diabetic. On statins and BP meds. Last..." + (show)

@chillip Please explain what the CABGX2 stands for?
Ginger

chillip | @chillip | May 26 12:21pm

In reply to @anet "@chillip Hello, I see you are responding to my post from 3 years ago. A lot..." + (show)

@anet hi! I’m sorry things have been so difficult for you and your husband. I hope your upcoming renal visit will be some good news. My husband is the one with CKD. He was first diagnosed about 8 years ago, I think his level was 35. Dr said no treatment just diet and exercise. Next year he had open heart bypass. Past four years numbers have dropped. He is 76, still active, mows, gardens, bowls, fishes. Does have some shortness of breath sometimes. Only meds are blood pressure and cholesterol. Not sure if he is able to get any other medical treatment cause his level is so low. Doesn’t want dialysis either. May I ask how old your husband is and if he is on any medication? We have a renal follow up in 3 months with sono and bloodwork. Maybe that will be better. Again hope and pray for healing for you both! Thanks for answering.

chillip | @chillip | May 27 7:21am

In reply to @gingerw "@chillip Please explain what the CABGX2 stands for? Ginger" + (show)

@gingerw Coronary Artery Bypass Graft with 2 arteries

anet | @anet | May 27 8:29pm

In reply to @chillip "@anet hi! I’m sorry things have been so difficult for you and your husband. I hope..." + (show)

@chillip, so we are doing the same thing—dealing with husbands with CKD. I will need to do some chucking g back on dates, etc, to tell you more about our situation. It all started in 2016. He was ok then. He will be 82 in June. He had a few drops of blood pressure several times. Went to primary care doctor. Every time he did anything that involved working over his head, his blood pressure would drop and he would get nauseated. Did a scan and turned up with a 10 cm aortic aneurysm! Vascular surgeon advised an aortic stent. He was good for a few years, but kidney fu cation started going down. Apwe have been seeing a nephrologist. I’m nor sure exactly how long, He was at 3B then. But it has gotten worse and is at 16. He doesn’t take any medicine that is considered a kidney drug. His doctor believes in supplements. On top of all of the kisney stuff, he hd a heart stents in 2918 and a heart in January 2025. His heart function was at 25% after that. Have another check soon. He says he feels more short of breath now. Went will probably have lab results from nephrology visit tomorrow on Friday. He has a lot going against him. We are Christians and are praying along with our family, friends and church. I will let you know what happens if you would like to continue corresponding. Your husband is in much better shape it seems. My husband (John) cannot play golf or fish any longer. I was hoping for that, but it doesn’t seem like it will happen.

anet | @anet | May 27 9:56pm

Thanks.

chillip | @chillip | May 27 10:23pm

In reply to @anet "Thanks." + (show)

@anet Thank you for answering. Yes, we do have similar stories, I’m sorry that your husband has not had any success with his current treatments. I hope and pray that this will improve for him. Please keep me updated on his future kidney progress. God bless you both!