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

Hello @rickgc. First, welcome to Connect and thank you for joining in. You are right to question anyone promising a cure. Is this a treatment recommended by your physician, or a treatment that you have discussed with your medical provider? A good rule of thumb, whether a product works or not, is to always keep your medical provider in the loop on anything that you ingest, from supplements, to foods, when you are dealing with a serious disease or diagnosis. Typically, someone promising a cure that is not affiliated with a medical institution is cause for some questions and concerns.

@rickgc, what does the program include? If you don't mind sharing, have you been diagnosed with CKD?

Yes. At present, I am CKD, Stage 4. GFR NOW AT 24. Took Lithium dosage of at least 2,000 mg/day for 30 years. In 2006, I was diagnosed with CKD Stage 3 due to Lithium. Stopped taking Lithium in 2006. Used diet and exercise to maintaind Stage 3, GFR 35,1 for 10 years. Prescribed Dexilant in October of 2016 to correct a strained voice, hoarseness condition. E.N.T. doctor said it was "Lerd." This is similar to GERD but effects the larynx. When a routine blood test was taken in December of

2016, GFR DOWN TO 20. Hoping to avoid dialysis or transplant is why this ad from Dr. Duncan Capicchiano, ND caught my attention. Has anyone had dealings with his program? If it's bogus, I do not want to waste my Nephrologist's time or my money to review it

@rickgc,, Hi, I am a liver/kidney recipient and a volunteer mentor. I am speaking from my own experience. I have learned that kidney failure can be due to many causes. For instance, mine was acute renal failure related to end stage liver disease.

I can understand why this site caught your eye. And I think that you should discuss it with your nephrologist. If this remedy does "reverse all types of kidney disease", as it states, then your nephrologist will want to know more about it himself. I don't believe he would consider it to be a waste of his time to bring it up.

I would like to share with you links to Mayo Clinic's information on end stage kidney disease and chronic kidney disease
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/end-stage-renal-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354532
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354521

When is your next appointment? and How are you feeling?
Rosemary

Thank you, Rosemary, for your thoughts. I am doing OK but do experience fatigue and have trouble getting as much exercise as I would like. I next see my Nephrologist in mid-January after getting a full set of tests.I will start taking blood pressure medicine this week.

@rickgc, I imagine that you will get a better understanding of what is happening to cause your change in GFR after your nephrologist gets your test results. In my experience, the unknowing and waiting is the hardest part of any condition. In my mind, I imagine all sorts of possibilities.
I am sorry to hear about your fatigue. I had that when I had my liver disease so I know how that feels. I admire you for trying to get exercise!
I hope that you will have a productive visit with your nephrologist Have you seen him/her before?
Rosemary

Rosemary, I believe that the GFR drop from 35 to 20 was caused by using Dexilant for 2 months. My GFR was at 35 in 2006 and in May of 2016. It dropped to 20 when a blood test was taken in December of 2016.

There are many Class Action Suits against Dexilant.
A
So far, the attorneys that I've spoken to have said that the promising suits they are handling involve someone --
1) who did not have a low GFR when prescribed Dexilant.
2) took Dexilant for much longer than the 2 months that i took it.
I disagree and believe that I could have stayed at CKD 3 if i did not take Dexilant. I realize, though, that lawyers are in business and will only take on a sure thing.

I have seen the same Nephrologist regularly since 2006. Had been hopeful that i could maintain CKD Stage 3 for the rest of my life. Because of Dexilant, I now doubt that i can get back to level 3. I am 65 years old

See above

@rickgc, That sounds complicated and way beyond my level of experience. I sincerely hope that you can find a satisfactory resolution to all of this. I'm thinking positive thoughts for your appointment with nephrologist.
Rosemary

I have heard that beginning dialysis is a multi-faceted decision and am now wondering if I may relieve some of my fatigue, weakness, imbalance and shaking by starting dialysis. I am currently on the high end of Stage 3 and looking for anyone who can discuss before and after dialysis symptoms/relief.