Stage 3a kidney disease: looking for info
I just learned today I have stage3a kidney disease. All my doctor told me was that my kidneys showed dehydration. I am clueless and I remembered I used to come here often. So right now I am just looking for basic info. Thank you. I recall this being a very helpful forum.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Kidney & Bladder Support Group.
I was diagnosed with Stage 4 fours years ago with a GFR of 15 and Creatinine of 3.8. I’ve since been able to move to 3b with a GFR of 37. My experience is water is critical, though I did learn that 4L dilutes my sodium too much, so I’m at 3L now.
@pcjaparis I just commented on another thread pertaining to diabetes and I mentioned CKD. I have both. My nephrologist says that I am stage 4. My last GFR was 34 or 24. That sounds dumb not to know for sure. It has bounced between 14 - 42 for the past 6 years. That is why I’m not sure of the specific number. Labs are due again at the end of the month and a follow up nephrology appointment. If you can find build a cohesive medical team that know your history, they can help you design a plan you can live with (literally)! My thoughts, hopes and prayers for you are the best health possible. I believe ALL things are possible with God.
I drink 64 0unces of water daily. 4L is 135 ounces which is an abundance of water. I could not possibly drink 4L. I checked Inernet for the conversion. Liters drives me nuts since I am 95 years of age. I understand someone is trying USA to use Liters instead OF OUNCES. Good luck to them, I am sticking to ounces. What is your age if u do not mind my asking???
I never went through what you have been. However Stage 3 is not a bad place to be. Everyone is different. When you donated the kidney you might have been stage 3 anyway, doctors just DO NOT TELL the patient.
I changed my diet not because I was told to. Just if I did not want to eat a sandwich for Dinner, as well as lunch. Dinner now is vegetable soup, homemade with a half pound of beef to a large pot of veggies. And my last blood test showed I was in stage 2. Surprise, huh??
64
Two times I was dehydrated by prescribed medicine, I ended up in stage 4 myself. That could be an explanation. It's the trend of frequent lab scores that truly make the difference.
I finally found the right website to learn about stage 3b kidney disease which I found I had recently. Thank you so much for members to share their experiences and opinions.
@poon Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm so glad you have landed here. As you are reading the posts and comments from us, you'll see that although we share similarities, we are each different. What works for one person may not be the same for someone else. What does work is that we share and help others along their own journey!
Has it been determined the cause of your 3b chronic kidney disease? Would you like to share your story? Any questions you have for me?
Ginger
My kidney specialist said it was caused by long term covid. Because my kidney was fine in January but I had covid in May and in October my creatinine was 1.4 and eGFR was 39. Of cause my husband was very sick and had 24/7 caregivers for over a year. He passed away 7/22. We have been married for 50+ years. So I am very stressed and depressed. My blood pressure went way up so it did not help with my kidney problem.
Your suggestions for me to improve my kidney function would be greatly appreciated it.
Susie
Dear Susie - what a horrible ordeal you’ve been through. I think there’s some truth to the old saying “grief shared is halved and joy shared is doubled.” I hope this group can offer some support to you. I hadn’t heard about Covid specifically affecting kidneys. In that situation is there any possibility of improving your numbers? Vicki