Should I go to a nephrologist?

[Isipingo]

I go to a urologist, but I'm stage 3 ,should I switch to a nephrologist immediately. I need some one who understands my condition and knows how to help me?

[Hidden]

Why would you want to switch? Instead, add a nephrologist to your care team. It just makes sense to build a strong team of specialists to assist you with your health care needs.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

I do not know why you are asking this question. On your last post, almost everyone said yes, go see a nephrologist. You can have many kinds of doctors, but as was stated by quite a few of us, you need to see a nephrologist.

[DadviceTV]

Both a Nephrologist and renal dietitian should be part of your health care team. These, along with any other specialist you may need (Urologist, Endocrinologist, etc.) and your primary care physician (family doctor) should also communicate with each other so that your have one treatment strategy that is focused on slowing down, stopping, or reversing some of the lost kidney function. When you interview your doctors ask about their treatment strategies to avoid or delay the need for dialysis and transplant and their past success with patients similar to you. Some doctors are very outdated and are very hands-off, neglecting to help patients and using dialysis and as a target for their kidney care outcome. Find doctors who see dialysis as a last resort, not as a goal. Good luck!

James @ Dadvice TV

[Kbressler NKF Peer Mentor NKF Ambassador]

Get busy, see a nephrologist and get a firm diagnosis. To many people wait and some wait to long.

[Sammi_n_Munk]

Hello again Isipingo. If you follow all of the advice you’ve read so far here, it’ll be the best thing you can do for yourself. You need to find a team of physicians that have your best interest in mind. Unfortunately, there is nothing available as of yet, with regard to a cure for CKD, that’s a common thread we all share here on this forum. But, as the others have already stated, your medical crew can work together to slow down the deterioration of your kidney function. As I, and the others have said before, you need to find a team that shares your vision with regard to your care. This is a difficult journey, make no mistake, but I think you will find, as I have found, that this forum is an awesome place to come for support and wise advice. We’re here for you. Good luck to you, and do keep us posted on your progress. I hold you in my thoughts and prayers. God bless. 😊👍

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador in reply to Sammi_n_Munk]

Well and emphatically stated. Thank you for stating your feelings and thoughts with compassion.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

A nephrologist is a specialist in all things related to your kidneys. Of course you should make an appt. with one and add to your team of doctors you see.

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador in reply to WYOAnne]

Agreed!

[Chucka]

Hi Isipingo. I don’t know what country you are in or what you have for medical insurance or health care. If you have the ability to see a nephrologist i would recommend it. If a urologist is your primary care doctor i would maybe try to switch that to an internal medicine doctor depending on your personal health issues, and get a referral or authorization to see a neurologist. If your urologist was just a specialty referral then i would ask for an additional specialty referral to a nephrologist. If you can’t get such authorization i would consider going to see a nephrologist on your own for a consult. Nephrologist can conduct baseline tests of your kidney function which is important for tracking and comparison of the function over time. Nephrologist can assess cause of your kidney issues and may be able to prescribe a regimen to help slow down the kidney deterioration. You didn’t mention if you have other health issues that could be contributing to loss of kidney function such as high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. A nephrologist can look at your whole profile. Maybe a nephrologist will assess that you are doing pretty well and don’t need to do anything for now, but that would at least provide peace of mind. Who

told you that you are stage 3? Was it based on urine test only and not also blood work? Overall its my opinion that a visit to a nephrologist would be worth it.

Good luck!

[Palominox]

Yes- if you have kidney issues, see a nephrologist- they will be far more expert at your disease, it’s treatment, preserving renal function... And with any meds, treatments, blood pressure - very important with CKD 3- nephrologists are blood pressure treaters also. drug or diet etc trials you might be interested in. Very important. But- I agree with the respondent who suggested ADDING them to your care team- perhaps as the new main doctor. Coordinate your nephrologist WITH the dedicated urologist who has been treating you for a while.

-

Also- whatever you do, follow medical advice. However I improved my ckd to ckd 2- Just function- didn’t treat the underlying disease- but puts less pressure on my kidneys, lowered my bp, by gradually but consistently going a lot more plant based. Every person is different, but with doctors advisement, this has been shown to help many with ckd, so it’s at least something to as your new nephrologist about.