Why is CKD Stage 3A downplayed? Am I over reacting to be concerned?

@nycmusic
Thanks so much! This is very helpful! So sorry to hear about your CRC, but it sounds like good news now. The problem with my primary, whom I now call Dr. Referral, is that instead of going through the tests with me, he keeps on referring me to specialists, which isn't what I want. So, he'll either have to change or I'll have to seek out someone else. What I'm finding difficult now is that if the critical issues are "diet, hydration and exercise--thoughtfully done," why isn't there one doctor who can help me come up with a plan? The only wrinkle is that I have diabetes and CKD, and I am a picky eater and don't like to cook. But, I can get around it if I'm just given some specific advice. And, from what I read on this site, early stage conditions don't stay that way if you're not following the right course. Alas...

So glad to read a positive review
I read the entire patient information online and it seemed like there was over a 10% rate of UTIs and yeast infections. I already have rather dramatic post Prandial BP drops and read it can cause BP to drop. Took my first one today and will try for a couple of weeks. Will stop if it causes me issues

I want to follow

To all who replied. I took my first Farxiga last night because I'm up all night peeing any way. Dr
Ordered tests after 2 wks. A lot of my kidney numbers are normal, so am anxious to see if any changes in the UACR and filtering rate.

@lb0530 Anytime we are prescribed a new medication, it is worth it to check after a few weeks and see if our numbers are affected. Good for your doctor in ordering those! I recently started a new station for my heart, and had my cardiologist confer with my nephrologist and oncologist to make sure the dosing and medication were in line with my current treatment programs. Like your Dr, she ordered investigative tests to make sure I am tolerating everything okay.
Ginger

Stage 4 and faxiga has kept me off dialysis along with my diet. I have been taking it for a year. Wish he had prescribed it in the 3rd stage. I had to ask him twice to let me try it because of the low efgr.

@drandolph1951

Good for you for advocating for yourself. It shouldn't have to be that way

I have been on Farxiga now for 6 months. My nephrologist also ordered lab work 2 weeks after starting it. My egfr (which had been in the 20's and 30's) was 42! It was an immediate response that my nephrologist cautioned was unlikely to remain. As she predicted, my trip into the 40's was short-lived; my latest lab work shows my egfr at 31. However, she strongly believes that Farxiga is protective of my kidneys; hopefully, it will keep me off of dialysis.
An additional positive to Farxiga is for the heart. My cardiologist also wanted me on it, mainly because I have Diastolic heart dysfunction. However, I learned yesterday that my latest echo did not show signs of Pulmonary Hypertension, which for years, the echo report indicated "mild pulmonary hypertension". My pulmonologist felt it is also because of the Farxiga.
If Farxiga is helping me in several categories, I want to continue it and hope I will not experience any of the side effects.

@bettycll I've been on Farxiga for 3 mo with no problems; my stage 3a CKD was from norovirus, not diabetes. Jardiance for 6 mo before that without symptoms. Only real symptom is my systolic pressure before averaged 120 and is now 105 because the meds relax blood vessels and kidney tubules. It is important to stay hydrated, exercise, manage stress, and the other stuff that doctors tell us.

@kayabbott
Agreed! Staying hydrated is major, along with diet and exercise. Managing stress is easier said than done :-)! Like you, my CKD is not from diabetes. I have had CKD for nearly 40 years; it is IgA Nephropathy, and my nephrologist expected me to be on dialysis years ago. Until recently, there were no medications to treat this, so I had to rely on hydration, etc. (and probably a bit of luck). Also, like you, my systolic pressure has decreased with Farxiga. I am on a remote BP monitor to track it. Since I am not diabetic, I resisted taking it (and the mentioned side effects were definitely intimidating!). However, I hope to continue on it with good results for both kidneys and heart.

I am curious, though, why did you switch from Jardiance to Farxiga? My doctor indicated that they were both basically the same. I made the decision based on cost.