Kidney Doctor

[Jmccool]

So my husband was finally referred to a kidney doctor it took several days to get his records and labs to them. They have to send the records to their nurses triage then the scheduler calls us that was yesterday afternoon the nurses received all the paperwork.

My question is has anyone had to wait so long to get an appointment? I feel like maybe he’s not as bad as we thought even though his numbers are bad.

GFR 12.5, platelet count 99, bun/crea ratio 4.92.

Urine - protein 83 and protein/crea ratio 1627.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this and if I’m just nervous and this is normal wait time?

Thanks for listening

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Hi JM,

Unfortunately, here in the States, it can take up a lot of time to get in to a nephrologist, or should I say here where I live it does. And I was attached to a large medical center and it still took four months. I book my appointments with her now, a year in advance.

Wait and see what the doctor says. Meanwhile, get on a renal diet for him and watch the salt, potassium and phosphorous.

Good luck and let us know how his visit goes.

Here are some website to look at for information:

kidney.org/atoz/content/und...

kidney.org/atoz/content/gfr

[Jmccool in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thank you I live in SW Florida and the kidney doctors is a very large group also. His referring doctor wanting him to go to the ER because his blood work was so off. She referred him stat which doesn’t mean much to a kidney doc I guess! Very frustrating and thank you for the websites. I’m definitely doing so much research on all of this it’s new to me and the renal diet.

Thank you for responding. Will give an update when we get to that point!

[JimVanHorn in reply to Jmccool]

I live in Orlando and my kidney doctor does the blood tests in his office, I wait about 1/2 hour and he comes in and tells me the results. I also go to his "anemia" clinic where he checks my hemoglobin level and if needed I get a shot of Procrit to release RBC's into my blood stream. I wish you well.

[Jmccool in reply to JimVanHorn]

Thank you for your response. Because of my insurance I have to use the hospital labs . But this is his first visit and they told me today that if he needs to be seen right away it takes them time to reschedule people. At this point I’m just waiting for them to call. I have called them everyday it gets me nowhere. 😔

[JimVanHorn in reply to JimVanHorn]

Hello again, My Nephologist is in Florida Hospital (now called Adventist Health), but do what you have to do.

[Hidden]

So yeah, I can sympathize. Last winter I had back pain and numbness down my leg. I found out a piece of bone in my spine had broken and was lodged in the peripheral nerves.

I was told it needed to come out immediately. It took a month to get in to the surgeon and another month to schedule the surgery while my condition worsened.

My cousin was diagnosed with a rare and deadly cancer. 2 months to get a surgeon, another 6 weeks before surgery could be scheduled.

But don't worry - Americans have the best healthcare in the world!

[Jmccool in reply to Hidden]

Yes it’s actually pure torture right now waiting. And I work for the dang hospital!!

[sharonlyn]

i just recently joined a facebook group...natural kidney journey...everyone who has ckd needs to join this group...i have been eating the way that is outlined in this group since the beginning of march...i have lost a considerable amount of weight...i have gotten off my blood pressure meds...losartain and hydradraline...and a diueritic lasix...i have been working on getting rid of my diabetic med from 2 times aday to 1/2 a day and sometimes not even that...i was a stage 4 ckd at 26 now i am stage ckd 3b at 41...i have gained 15 points...it is similiar to vegan but you cut out sugar...oil...salt...potatoes...tomatoes...no processed food at all...mainly a plant based diet... water and herbal teas are fine...low potassium...low phoshorus...i feel really good...the people who started this group were able to get her husband off of dialysis...and he has been off of dialysis for 14 months...there are a couple of people onsite who have accomplished that...others are raising their gfr's dramatically...all with diet...it is a great group and i am so thankful that i found them...i mean 15 points is terrific for just a month of dedication...i am working to get to stage 2 or better...now this is my experience with this way of eating...everyone is different but i found out i ckd not because my doctor told me but that i looked at my labs...if you are really serious in having better kidney function at least check out this group...

[Jmccool in reply to sharonlyn]

I had no idea you could improve your GFR that is what the doctors should focus on because my husband does not want to go on Dyalisis I am going to check it out on FB thank you!

[sharonlyn in reply to Jmccool]

be sure to answer those screening questions or you will be automatically deleted...you are welcome...and i will see you in the group...it is so uplifting...and don & kymberly are terrific...good luck...