Receiving a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be overwhelming during a visit to the doctor’s office, as there’s often a deluge of information to absorb all at once. Taking control of your situation involves becoming your own advocate. Don’t hesitate to ask any number of questions and request information to be reiterated if needed. If assertiveness is challenging, consider bringing a friend or family member along for support. Keeping notes can also help you remember any additional queries or concerns that arise between appointments. Being proactive when dealing with new kidney disease is highly beneficial. Here are seven essential questions to pose to your doctor:
1. What is the underlying cause of my kidney disease?
2. What is my current level of kidney function, expressed as a percentage?
3. Can you provide me with details regarding my laboratory test results, including my glomerular filtration rate (GFR)?
4. What treatment options are available to address my specific symptoms?
5. What are the immediate next steps in managing my condition?
6. What measures can I take to prevent further damage to my kidneys?
7. In the long term, will dialysis or a kidney transplant become necessary? If so, what is the anticipated timeline for this?
