Connect
← Return to Just diagnosed Stage 3 CKD: Should I be referred to a nephrologist?
Discussion
Just diagnosed Stage 3 CKD: Should I be referred to a nephrologist?
Kidney & Bladder | Last Active: Jun 28 2:35pm | Replies (110)Comment receiving replies
We have a great family doctor. However, he doesn't seem to set up follow-up appointments and hasn't scheduled urine test for over 1 1/2 years (another doctor did that), nor a blood test since last November and cholestrol test was done a year ago when he put my 88 year old husband on medication for high cholestrol (presumably due to CKD stage 3). Bill is suffering from extreme fatigue and cronic pain in the back and we are considering calling to see if there is anything that can help. Don't know if I should also ask if he be given the blood/urine tests before asking for an appointment. Bill keeps wanting to order energy and pain OTC meds he sees advertised on TV, which I think is a very bad idea. Bill is also getting very low BP readings when he takes a shower (lukewarm, using a hand-held and sitting on a bench). It goes back to normal in an hour or so (on BP medication for decades).
Replies to "We have a great family doctor. However, he doesn't seem to set up follow-up appointments and..."
Now I’m probably the youngster here but I know my Blue Cross only pays for my cholesterol test once a year. If I want it more that comes out of my pocket. You may want to check with your insurance carrier. These days insurance carriers are getting worse and worse they don’t want to pay for anything! Now I only see my urologist once a year unless I have a problem and that’s it. If not getting tests every year that is not good. Have you ever thought about changing your family physician? Apparently you’re not getting the care you need. Calling for an appointment is fine BUT be careful make sure he is NOT PRESCRIBED AN OPIOD FOR THE PAIN!!! I would hate to see him get addicted to a medication at his age and it would not be good for his kidneys. The stuff you see on tv is really poop! If it was really good why aren’t doctors telling their patients to go that route? Here is an example for you my urologist happens to be a very good friend from high school. I have asked him about some of that testosterone stuff and bodybuilding stuff and he told me to stay away from it and none of that stuff is FDA approved or government regulated. Be very very careful please! I’m not sure on the other issues but I hope I helped you on some others! GOD BLESS AMERICA 🇺🇸 John
I personally would run to a nephrologist and definitely see what's going on. I doesn't appear that your present doctor knows just what he is doing. Labs every 6 months, urine tests, etc. This sounds like it needs to be very soon so I hope that this will be your decision. These symptoms do not sound favorable so please get some more help soon. Take care!
Connect
@billchitwood, I just read some of your posts, and I am sorry that you are caught between getting care for your husband and his resistance to accepting medical care. The fatigue, the swelling, the drop in blood pressure and the pain, and the falls are symptoms that, in my opinion, would be best diagnosed and treated at an appointment rather than a phone call. I think it would be appropriate for you to ask whether he needs to get a blood test or urine sample ahead of the appointment, but my experience is that the labs are going to be ordered after the doctor decides what labs to order.
It is already Friday afternoon, but do you think you could call on Monday to make an appointment? Tell them what he is experiencing. Make a list of the prescriptions medicines and all over-the-counter medications that he is taking. And when/if he is taking them.
Do you have means to transport him to the doctors office?