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My 72 year old diabetic husband has just been diagnosed with 40% kidney failure. The expects to be referred to a kidney specialist in October if there is further deterioration.
Tootsiepie, it wasn't my intention to infer that you shouldn't have asked for information. Please don't take offense when none was intended.
Your questions seemed fairly broad, and could vary in so many ways based on your husband's specific situation. It's hard to offer generalized responses in those cases.
E.g., I could tell you that I know of diabetics who have lost kidney function and gone on dialysis, chained to a life of 3x treatments. I could tell you that others have had diabetes so severe that their feet were compromised and no longer functional. And I know of others who have strong wills and persevered on, living a very full life.
Are these options possible with your husband? Could you expect any of them to happen in the next years? Who knows?
But there are so many variables in each case, which is why I thought your question was really too broad to be answered with any specificity.
Thank you GardenArtist. He has been started on a low dose of ACE inhibitor which is supposed to slow down or prevent further loss of kidney function. He returned after one month of that and test results showed further deterioration. We have an excellent doctor in the Mayo Clinic system who we trust thoroughly. I have been researching the subjects involved and finding lots of info. I am looking for any helpful information and thought I might find some on this excellent website. Maybe I shouldn't have asked.
If I read your post correctly (and you posted it correctly), your husband has 60% kidney function, meaning, according to this link, that his kidneys show some signs of damage. This is considered "mild".
"Most people with mild to moderate CKD (stages 1-3) can prevent their kidneys from getting worse by adopting a healthy lifestyle and taking some medications. Your family doctor and community health services can often support you to do this. If your CKD progresses to stage 4-5 you will need to start thinking about the treatment choices available for kidney failure. These include having a kidney transplant, undergoing dialysis or conservative management."
Since he hasn't even been referred to a renal specialist yet, I'd say the docs plan on managing it with medication and diet. Follow their recommendations and cross your fingers. Other than following instructions, try to put it out of your mind. (So easy to say! Yes??)
I'm sorry - I misread your first statement that he would be referred IF there was further deterioration. Have you asked the physician who made this diagnosis what that deterioration could be, and what methods if any can mitigate or prevent it?
The best person to provide the answers you seek is probabl either a diabetes or kidney specialist, who will determine more than we could about your husband's condition as well as ramifications. With diabetes, there are probably other issues as well that may affect that happens in the future.
I don't understand though why he can't be referred now. Who is making this referral? Is it required from a primary care physician to a specialist by your insurance coverage?
Is your husband on dialysis or have you been advised he will be in the near or far future?
I think I'd get aggressive and tell whoever is doing the referral that you want answers and a referral now.
In the meantime, the only other suggestion I could offer is that you research "diabetes, kidney failure" and go from there. If there are any other co-morbidities, add those to your search parameters.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
Your questions seemed fairly broad, and could vary in so many ways based on your husband's specific situation. It's hard to offer generalized responses in those cases.
E.g., I could tell you that I know of diabetics who have lost kidney function and gone on dialysis, chained to a life of 3x treatments. I could tell you that others have had diabetes so severe that their feet were compromised and no longer functional. And I know of others who have strong wills and persevered on, living a very full life.
Are these options possible with your husband? Could you expect any of them to happen in the next years? Who knows?
But there are so many variables in each case, which is why I thought your question was really too broad to be answered with any specificity.
http://www.mykidney.org/KidneyDisease/StageOfKidneyDisease.aspx
"Most people with mild to moderate CKD (stages 1-3) can prevent their kidneys from getting worse by adopting a healthy lifestyle and taking some medications. Your family doctor and community health services can often support you to do this. If your CKD progresses to stage 4-5 you will need to start thinking about the treatment choices available for kidney failure. These include having a kidney transplant, undergoing dialysis or conservative management."
Since he hasn't even been referred to a renal specialist yet, I'd say the docs plan on managing it with medication and diet. Follow their recommendations and cross your fingers. Other than following instructions, try to put it out of your mind. (So easy to say! Yes??)
Good luck!!
I don't understand though why he can't be referred now. Who is making this referral? Is it required from a primary care physician to a specialist by your insurance coverage?
Is your husband on dialysis or have you been advised he will be in the near or far future?
I think I'd get aggressive and tell whoever is doing the referral that you want answers and a referral now.
In the meantime, the only other suggestion I could offer is that you research "diabetes, kidney failure" and go from there. If there are any other co-morbidities, add those to your search parameters.
Good luck.