Yes, it is downplayed ! Zero doubt about that. Why ? In my opinion, because there is nothing that they can do. It is a chronic disease that has no cure, that can only be slowed, if you are lucky. This fact alone demands that it be recognized early on, diagnosed early and you be informed. The only real tools you have to slow it are diet, and blood pressure and blood glucose control.

It is a silent killer. Before anyone seems to wants to take notice of it, you have to almost be ready for dialysis. I have Stage 3 a , and I simply didn’t care what my PCP or my urologist (who didn’t even know what a Cystatin C blood test for kidney function was when I asked him about having the test done) said about a referral. I self referred to a Nephrologist. He did a lot of blood work, said things were stable and come back in one year. That was great news, mentally. Why the heck my other doctors were so “opposed” to that visit with the Nephrologist is beyond me. With this chronic disease, I have learned you have to help yourself - most PCP are so deluged and/or see you as just a number that YOU have to make it happen. Best luck to you on your journey with this disease and the idiots you will meet along the way.