Many doctors do not care to discuss CKD; they think there is nothing to do for it. Or they just don't think. Many are doctors just to get the money. I had CKD stage 3 for 18 years and 3 doctors or the hospital did not tell me. Moved to NC and first doctor told me I was stage 3. Scared me! I sent to former hospital in Ohio for all my records. Every test showed stage 3 CKD. My last test came in with stage 2. Must have been a change in diet: making vegetable soup with a small amount of beef for a large pot. So, I have a chicken sandwich and slaw for lunch and the veg soup for dinner. Drink 64 ounces of water - this is extremely important. I do not know about how much water for stage 4 or 5-never been there.