My eGFR went from 16 to 74 to 40. I'm terrified.

Welcome aboard Susan! You are definitely in the right place for answers and suggestions. I am not familiar enough with swings like yours in eGFR numbers... Does this occur slowly over a period of time? When I first read your thread title I thought it was surely a misprint or possibly a bad test, but if it takes some time to swing that far perhaps the numbers are correct. At any rate you are heading in the right direction in searching for a new nephrologist. Hopefully it will be someone who you can relate to and who can also explain the situation you are currently in.
There are plenty of folks on here that can give you sound advice on proper diet and hydration...

Susan76 @hatetocook I too want to welcome you to Mayo Clinic Connect. You are definitely in the right place. I’ve had diabetes for 51 years and CKD for 21 years. (Diabetes and hypertension are the 2 most common causes of kidney problems.)
Wow, DKD! This is the first I’ve heard that one. It is so applicable to so many of us. I’m sorry to hear about your hospitalization, surgery, weakness and weight loss. Please be encouraged it sounds like you have started on the road to recovery. What has helped me in my journey has been an endocrinologist (for my diabetes), a nephrologist (for the CKD) and a dietician who is trained in diabetes and renal nutrition. These providers are all part of the same healthcare system so we can easily collaborate as a team and know that we are all on the same page. It may be possible to find diabetes education support groups and counselors that you could benefit from as well. A social worker could point you in the right direction. Do you have access to any of these resources?

@susan76@hatetocook

good idea to search for a new nephrologist. I am on the downside of 8 months waiting to see a new nephrogely doctor because I don't think I'm getting enough from the one I have. Also waiting for referral to renal dietician. I takes so long to get anything done, but that's the way our medical system is. Hang in there. Things will get better. Pulling for you.

@cehunt57 Thank you Cheryl! I genuinely appreciate your background and suggestions. And, yes I do have access, but I've been having problems with my doctors ever since I got sick. I've only been hospitalized 4 times in 76 years, and not for anything serious. Most of my doctors are fairly new to me, and I didn't know that this hospital has their own doctors, rather than mine. And, because of the opioids, I mostly slept, and wasn't very lucid when I was awake so I never spoke to the four doctors who replaced each other during my first five days at the hospital. My former nephrologist had moved to a different state two weeks before all of this started. I formerly saw a diabetes nutritionist, but just a few times at the beginning. I saw an endocrinologist whom my cardiologist recommended, but she said my case wasn't complex enough for her skill level, and she recommended the nutritionist.

My PCP has been a great disappointment, and I'll have to replace him when I can. It's my life, and I need to be a major part of the decision-making team. And, the only biggest remaining problem is that I suffer from depression, am mostly medication resistant, and all of this triggered a bad episode. But, I've lived with it for the majority or my adulthood--on and off--and still was able to make decisions when I needed to. It's just much more difficult without my late husband's support.

In answer to your questions, I finally can start all these processes anew. Now that I can think again, I can use the same skill-set I perfected during the last five years of my late husband's life. He had a constellation of medical problems, and I was on top of everything. I've learned it's much more challenging to be my own medical researcher and patient advocate, as it is to listen to doctors, respond, ask questions, and remember what they've said. I used to be able to do all of it for my husband, and take notes as well.

But, now that I've got a functional brain, and more energy than I have had, at least I'm back in the game--so to speak. But, I've also learned to take things one step at a time. I appreciate all of your advice, and it makes a big difference to feel like I'm not alone!

@cehunt57 In reply to @cehunt57 "Susan76 @hatetocook I too want to welcome you to Mayo Clinic Connect. You are definitely in..." + (show)

Thank you Cheryl! I genuinely appreciate your background and suggestions. And, yes I do have access, but I've been having problems with my doctors ever since I got sick. I've only been hospitalized 4 times in 76 years, and not for anything serious. Most of my doctors are fairly new to me, and I didn't know that this hospital has their own doctors, rather than mine. And, because of the opioids, I mostly slept, and wasn't very lucid when I was awake so I never spoke to the four doctors who replaced each other during my first five days at the hospital. My former nephrologist had moved to a different state two weeks before all of this started. I formerly saw a diabetes nutritionist when I was first diagnosed, but it was easier for me, then it is now, and I need someone else. I saw an endocrinologist whom my cardiologist recommended, but she said my case wasn't complex enough for her skill level, and she recommended the nutritionist.

My PCP has been a great disappointment, and I'll have to replace him when I can. It's my life, and I need to be a major part of the decision-making team. And, the only biggest remaining problem is that I suffer from depression, am mostly medication resistant, and all of this triggered a bad episode. But, I've lived with it for the majority or my adulthood--on and off--and still was able to make decisions when I needed to. It's just much more difficult without my late husband's support, but such is life.

In answer to your questions, I finally can start all these processes anew. Now that I can think again, I can use the same skill-set I perfected during the last five years of my late husband's life. He had a constellation of medical problems, and I was on top of everything. I've learned it's much more challenging to be my own medical researcher and patient advocate, as it is to listen to doctors, respond, ask questions, and remember what they've said. I used to be able to do all of it for my husband, and take notes as well.

But, now that I've got a functional brain, and more energy than I have had, at least I'm back in the game--so to speak. I've also learned to take things one step at a time, which helps with an aging body and mind. Cheryl, I appreciate all of your advice, and it makes a big difference to feel like I'm not alone!

This too will pass: Meet @boatsforlife

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@joefriday49 Thanks Joe. I appreciate your support, and yes it's correct, and took took place over three months. Luckily for me, I was at the ER for an unrelenting stomach ache at the time, and once they examined me, they learned about my renal emergency, and started infusing me with liquid during my eight-day stay. Since I had no symptoms, much later I was told that if I hadn't been in the hospital, I probably would have died.

And, given what a huge issue that is, I'm glad they waited. Because of the pain of my stomach ache, from then on I was on opioids, and didn't really recover from them, and the stress and anxiety I experienced in the hospital, which resulted in cognitive impairment, until a few weeks ago, although I've been home for three months. So, I'm finally dealing with issues, I wish I had been able to care of months ago. Again, thank you!

@lb0530 This is all so very upsetting, and I'm so sorry you're going through it as well. But,
thanks for letting me know. I so appreciate your words of support!. And, good luck to you as well!

I'm so sorry about all the problems with the comments. It was my fault. I don't know how I did it. But, we can't seem to get rid of it.

@lb0530 Thank you! I thought I replied, but I found this in my inbox again!

I too have 18 yrs under my belt of diabetes. Now why didn’t he put you back on the metformin.
I am seeing next week a kidney Dr as now kidney stage 3.
Yes it’s so scary. It’s like our bodies betray us. If only we learned a lot of the natural ways and foods long ago.
Make sure find out the medicine. We are all scared I’m sure. Have a good night. Bless