Just diagnosed Stage 3 CKD: Should I be referred to a nephrologist?

2gingerw, I still have no idea when or why my left kidney just dried up! Nobody knew this had happened until my eGFR dropped and I was referred to a Neph who ordered and MRI that showed a dried-up little bean on my left!

Hope your labs are good tomorrow!

@kamama94 Me, too! I have to wait until Dec to find out if the cancerous tumor on right kidney is acting up. Meanwhile, I am on chemo for multiple myeloma [going easy because of the kidneys!]. Life sure knows how to get complicated, sometimes.
Ginger

@gingerw, I think the whole durn' world has gone tee-totally nutso!

@gingerw What next??? How is the chemo thing going for you?

@parus I am almost through round one! Knock on wood, no dramatic side effects except dry mouth/lips/hands,, some fatigue. Yeah, can you believe it?! "Got something you don't want? Here, apparently Ginger will take it!"
Ginger

I am 57 and I am also in Stage 3 and to answer your question the answer is YES TO SEE A KIDNEY DOCTOR ASAP! If your first physician didn’t seem to care I would run and find a better doctor who has your health as your number interest! The minute my doctor saw my blood work he did not hesitate in sending me to a specialist. I thank God! I then went onto the Mayo Clinic site and Duke University site and looked up foods and drinks I should and shouldn’t have! It’s really important that you know what your kidney are able to do especially when we’re at Stage 3. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to move down to Stage 4 if I don’t have to. I eat well and I exercise and if you do those two things you’ll be ok! Being that you’re probably on Social Security you should see if your insurance plan pays for a gym. If so go use it and use the Silver Sneakers Program! Believe me eating right, drinking plenty of water, exercising, all makes for happy kidneys 🤪😁🙃! Keep in touch and let me know how things go. GOD BLESS AMERICA 🇺🇸! John

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

Man, did you write that for me? If not, it sure seems like it. I will take your message to heart and advocate for myself plus I’ll check out those sites you mentioned for foods. Thanks.

Has anyone received any instructions about getting the booster shot if you have kidney disease. I haven't. Have just read two articles, one in NY Times that claims patients with kidney disease don't do very well with Covid which stresses the kidneys. The function, the article says, drops enormously. Neither my nephrologist nor primary care doctor has mentioned this. I think this is a vital fact for all kidney challenged patients to know. Must we continue to take care of ourselves. Petunia's Mother