Stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD): What specialists do I see?

Posted by rozalia @rozalia, Aug 24, 2016

My primary says I do not need to see a kidney specialist. Is this true. My blood chems are ok.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Kidney & Bladder Support Group.

@nimalw

Yesterday I got tested for covid !! Am resting now seems a mild attack. Can sleep all day and eat a lot . Omicron it seems

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@nimalw Oh, dear! Please follow what guidelines are given to you for a speedy recovery, and take it easy! Feel better, soon!
Ginger

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@gingerw

@nimalw Oh, dear! Please follow what guidelines are given to you for a speedy recovery, and take it easy! Feel better, soon!
Ginger

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🙏

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No! First, see a nutritionist and get to work, After Stage 3 comes Stage 4 where you are moving toward dialysis. I think this is insane that Kidney Docs tell you to not do anything in Stage 3.

I read everything, purchased the book by Shelley Manning, another by Robert Galarowicz, read Duncan and Fiona, and I study diet and nutrition sites.

I had to fight to see the nutritionist and in the end, I have done it all myself. Diet, mild, not strenuous exercise (30 minutes a day - walking), and huge changes in my diet.

I have been a vegetarian for 20 years so that part was already in place. I AM IN SHOCK THAT THE DOCTORS TELL US THAT SINCE WE ARE 'ONLY IN STAGE 3' we do not have to do anything. Two nephrologists told me that.

In my case, I figure that because CKD is slow-moving, and I am older, they figure I will die of something else first.

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No. Begin to read up and take steps to improve your numbers. See comments below.

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@mpeters

I have a close relative who has CKD stage 3a. He is being treated by his primary care physician at Mayo. He watches his diet and exercises. He takes his blood pressure frequently. I went to the Mayo Clinic site and they listed the following things to prevent kidney disease, so I suppose it would help prevent progression as well.

Follow instructions on over the counter pain relievers.

Maintain a healthy weight.

Don’t smoke.

Manage your medical conditions with your doctor’s help.

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IT is ALL about diet. Not just watching it. Paying attention to what foods are kidney-friendly and which are not.

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@susanna82

No! First, see a nutritionist and get to work, After Stage 3 comes Stage 4 where you are moving toward dialysis. I think this is insane that Kidney Docs tell you to not do anything in Stage 3.

I read everything, purchased the book by Shelley Manning, another by Robert Galarowicz, read Duncan and Fiona, and I study diet and nutrition sites.

I had to fight to see the nutritionist and in the end, I have done it all myself. Diet, mild, not strenuous exercise (30 minutes a day - walking), and huge changes in my diet.

I have been a vegetarian for 20 years so that part was already in place. I AM IN SHOCK THAT THE DOCTORS TELL US THAT SINCE WE ARE 'ONLY IN STAGE 3' we do not have to do anything. Two nephrologists told me that.

In my case, I figure that because CKD is slow-moving, and I am older, they figure I will die of something else first.

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I was diagnosed by my cardiologist. When my Blood pressure was too high .
He held his hand on head when he saw it was stage 3 . What a contrast !!!!!!!

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@susanna82

I learned, to my shock, by accident, when I was at Stage 3 a or b. that I had Kidney Desease. (Antibiotics).

Got right on it, although I think mistakes were made at the medical practitioner level. I also, like others here, noticed that at Stage 3, doctors tell you not to worry, you don't have to do anything!

Not my personality. I studied, changed my diet, changed my exercise, all of that, and in a relatively short time have raised my GFRs and regressed to Stage 2.

PAY NO ATTENTION TO DOCTORS TELLING YOU TO NOT DO ANYTHING IN STAGE 3. .

My dietary changes have caused me bowel problems, probably the change in diet, however, I have been a vegetarian for 20 years.

I also noticed a lack of support from medical personnel and had to become my own advocate. You have to get pushy. The nutritionist, physicians in peripheral fields, dieticians.

AND, NEVER believe the MANY medical people who tell you just to go on as you were, you are "only in Stage 3." (Two nephrologists!) Get informed, make changes in your diet - it is all about diet and exercise.

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What dietary changes have you made?

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@julieprayer

What dietary changes have you made?

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@julieprayer Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I see you have been a member for over 4 years, but this is your first post! Can you share with me what prompted you to ask your question?
Ginger

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@gingerw

@julieprayer Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I see you have been a member for over 4 years, but this is your first post! Can you share with me what prompted you to ask your question?
Ginger

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Trying to follow diet

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@julieprayer

Trying to follow diet

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@julieprayer This discussion thread may be of help to you, found in our Kidney and Bladder Group: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/3rd-stage-kidney-disease/

Basically, as many have mentioned, diet and exercise seem to be the biggest factors for striving to maintain kidney health. Limited quality protein, avoiding excess potassium/calcium/sodium. Right now I am building my system up in order to eventually go on dialysis, so my protein consumption is higher than it would otherwise be.
Ginger

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