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Stage 3a kidney disease: looking for info

Posted by Ryman @ryman, Jul 2, 2022

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.

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randyr | @randyr | Dec 9, 2022
In reply to @sammyloue "Many doctors do not care to discuss CKD; they think there is nothing to do for..." + (show)
@sammyloue

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.

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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.

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1 reply
Mentor
Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | Dec 9, 2022

@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.

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1 reply
sammyloue | @sammyloue | Dec 9, 2022
In reply to @randyr "I was diagnosed with Stage 4 fours years ago with a GFR of 15 and Creatinine..." + (show)
@randyr

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.

Jump to this post

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???

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1 reply
sammyloue | @sammyloue | Dec 9, 2022
In reply to @nichama74 "Hi, i donated my kidney 2 years ago to my father, who is doing excellent. I..." + (show)
@nichama74

Hi, i donated my kidney 2 years ago to my father, who is doing excellent. I was being checked every 6 months for 2 years through the Organ Transplant Institute in Miami. Upon graduating from the donor program, I am now being told that I have Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 3A. I am shock, because i am 48 yearsold, who takes excellent care of herself by eating healthy, exercising 6x a week and keeping a healthy weight. although, the organ
Institute changed my creatine basesline to 1.3, i’ve been steady for the past years. No one from that institute has EVER told me that I have CKD stage 3, which i think it was their responsibility to tell me. The only thing they did tell me was to check my blood pressure regularly. I then went and got a second opinion from a nephrologist in my my county and they confirmed again that I have CKD stage three. He told me to adjust my diet by eating less protein. I mentioned to him that I had Covid last year and he said there may be some connection with it damaging my kidney . I then went to another nephrologist for a third opinion and of course she confirmed the same thing , but said I can do whatever I want not having to adjust anything. I am left confused and devastated. Of course I’ve made every adjustment as possible and have been reading all books about renal diet. I am now going to speak with a renal dietitian today. I don’t have the heart to tell my parents what is going on because my dad is doing extremely well with my kidney and do not want to hurt them. i will probably never tell them. Does anyone out there have some advice for what I should or has been through the same situation?

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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??

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randyr | @randyr | Dec 9, 2022
In reply to @sammyloue "I drink 64 0unces of water daily. 4L is 135 ounces which is an abundance of..." + (show)
@sammyloue

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???

Jump to this post

64

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collegeprof | @collegeprof | Dec 11, 2022
In reply to @cehunt57 "@pcjaparis I just commented on another thread pertaining to diabetes and I mentioned CKD. I have..." + (show)
@cehunt57

@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.

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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.

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poon | @poon | Dec 12, 2022

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.

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1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Dec 12, 2022
In reply to @poon "I finally found the right website to learn about stage 3b kidney disease which I found..." + (show)
@poon

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.

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@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

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1 reply
poon | @poon | Dec 12, 2022
In reply to @gingerw "@poon Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm so glad you have landed here. As you are..." + (show)
@gingerw

@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

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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

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ldrlaw | @ldrlaw | Dec 13, 2022

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

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