Aggressive treatment for Stage 3, CKD

[gjhStage3]

How does one find a nephrologist who treats Stage 3

CKD aggressively?

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

YOU don't..... because there is little CKD treatment at this this stage. They can treat what might be the issue that caused the CKD like blood pressure or diabetes. You can change your diet to a renal or plant-based diet. If you have diabetes, there are drugs out there that help protect the kidneys but they're for diabetes first. If you are taking OTC pain meds, like ibuprofen, stop that immediately. Make sure all of your drugs are kidney safe. Your pharmacist can review your med list. Drink enough fluids to stay hydrated. The other thing is, as I am sure whatever nephrologist you find can explain to you, the kidneys deteriorate with age. At 82, I would expect a lower GFR. Was this one test or do you know if this GFR was sudden? In other words, how many renal panels have you had? You could have an ultrasound to see if there is a cyst or stone.

But to answer your question, there is no immediate or aggressive treatment for CKD.... EVER except transplant.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

Here is a link to information on eGFR levels.

I was diagnosed CKD 3b, 5 years ago at age 76. My Primary Doctor put me on an appropriate diet based on bloodwork for phosphorus, potassium and sodium. Unfortunately some Doctors look at age as most important factor.

kidney.org/atoz/content/gfr

[Ziggydoodah]

I was diagnosed at Stage 3. I was put on a huge dosage of steroids and about 4 other medications. My life was hell for the 6 months I was on it. It did not help improve my levels. If I had my time again I would be concentrating on a plant based diet etc.

[RoxanneKidney]

Unless you are leaking protein, the most aggressive thing you can do is to stop meat and dairy.

[RoxanneKidney in reply to RoxanneKidney]

And workout

[RonZone]

Hey, gonna throw my two cents in here. First I would suggest that you do a huge happy dance for getting to 82 with your kidneys intact. I'm 69 and didn't quite make it that far, and others didn't make it near as far as I have. So pat yourself on the back for treating your kidneys good all those years and getting that much service out of them. Now, that being said, it's still your job to do what you can to extend that happy dance as far as it can go. As others said, there's no miracle drug or anything, especially at your age (and even mine). Some suggested diet changes, which I used to keep me off dialysis for three years past the time i could have started. So be prepared to start looking now for "stage 3" recipe ideas. Like look at this one that was posted for a kidney friendly Thanksgiving meal:

kidney.org/content/cranberr...

Notice at the top of the recipe it says it's "Appropriate for diabetes,  CKD Stage 1 & 2 and for dialysis & CKD Stage 5 transplant" patients. You do NOT see stage 3 in that list, so this would not be good for you simply because it has too much potassium and phosphorus in it.

The best way to do this is to work with a RENAL (kidney) dietitian. (Regular dietitians don't always offer the best information, but renal dietitians will). That dietitian could help you work up meal plans to slow the progression of your kidney loss. If you have trouble finding one, do another post on this forum asking for references from other folks who have used them (other than the ones provided to those on dialysis).

You can start a "recipe file" for yourself of meals that are CKD stage 3 friendly. You're gonna have to do without some stuff you like, I'm afraid to say, but you'll like the end results, I'm almost positive. There's just too many folks on here who have benefited from the information others have given you above for you not to take it seriously. Keep posting questions as you go along this journey.

[sfdole]

My husband was in his 80's when he was diagnosed with Stage 3 and was told by a nephrologist that he had 2 options--dialysis or transplant and that he was probably too old for a transplant. We were already vegans but did further research on diet for kidney disease. Today we both follow a plant-based diet, eliminating dairy products as well as meat and processed foods. We read labels carefully. My husband is now 87 and no longer has kidney disease. His nephrologist could not believe how his kidney disease was turned around by diet. If only more doctors would consider diet first! But most doctors know very little about diet, having had an average of 6 hours of nutrition in medical school.