New patient!

[gagajones]

Is there a list of questions I should ask my nephrologist when I go for my first visit? I have my bloodwork information for the past 2 years and a list of medications I'm taking to take with me. Nervous as my mother and sister were on dialysis and passed away after just a few years of treatment. Both were diabetic but I am not...yet. My GP is referring me. She said my kidney function is declining and she is referring because of my family history. Just need some advice. Thanks in advance.

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I've included a group of questions from the American Kidney Fund that can be asked of a nephrologist. As you read the list of questions there are other issues you should be talking about. Ask for a referral to meet with a Renal Dietitian and bring those hard copies of your previous lab results. With those in hand, you and the RD will develop a kidney-friendly meal plan that will work for you. You should also know about what caused your CKD. The two primary causes are Diabetes and Hypertension. Both should be under control to help you slow the progression of CKD. We are talking about lifestyle changes and not a diet, so be sure you enter this with the full intention of dealing with this to avoid more serious issues down the road.

Use drugs.com to check all of your medications for interactions with food, other medications, and for those that can further harm your kidneys. Sometimes it's just a dosage change and sometimes it's a medication change.

You previously asked about a Keto diet. Avoid fad diets and speak to both your nephrologist and RD about your meal plan. What you are looking to do is control your protein, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, and calcium.

Best of luck.

Questions to ask your doctor

Why is kidney disease so serious?

How did I get kidney disease?

What stage of kidney disease do I have right now?

What do the different stages mean?

Is there a special way I need to eat with kidney disease?

I don’t have symptoms. Does that mean I don’t have kidney

disease anymore?

If my kidney disease starts to get worse, will I feel the

difference?

What do I need to do to stop my kidney disease from

getting worse?

How can I be sure my symptoms are from my kidney

disease and not some other reason?

If I have diabetes, high blood pressure (or both), what does

it mean for my kidney disease?

Are there medicines I can take if I have both kidney disease

and diabetes?

How often do I need to visit you?

Will you test my kidney disease at every visit?

[gagajones in reply to Hidden]

Thanks

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

Here is a link for questions to ask Doctor about Kidney Disease . freseniuskidneycare.com/que...

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Find out at what rate the kidney function is declining because it will give you an idea of how far you are away from dialysis, also find out from the nephrologist what action you can take to slow the progression of decline of kidney function, most likely you will need to control blood pressure at around 130/80 or lower to protect the remaining kidney function. You will also have to watch your potassium and phosphorus levels carefully after every blood test. The objective should be to keep kidney function stable as possible to prevent ESRD. Ask about the transplant list and what GFR you can be placed on it.