Decreased Kidney Function: Hi All, Has... - British Liver Trust

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Decreased Kidney Function

canadaliz profile image
10 Replies

Hi All,

Has anyone experienced a decline in kidney function? My kidney function has slowly declined since I presented in August 2018 with decompensated cirrhosis. I am now just below the normal range for kidney function. The drug I take to keep breast cancer at bay doesn't have any mention of kidney issues so I wonder if it is related to cirrhosis. Getting a bit worried as I am only 1 1/2 years out of cancer and have to be 5 years out before I can have a transplant but can appeal at 3 years for consideration. Both of my sons are a match but I have to be in reasonable shape for a transplant so have to hold on at least another 1 1/2 years.

Cheers, Liz

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canadaliz
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10 Replies

Hi

I don't have it as yet but I have Nash and cirrhosis but my consultant did say that he would be keeping an eye on my kidneys because I also take many meds. I'm sorry I can't help you much more but I'm sure someone will be along shortly with some helpful advice. Love and hugs Lynne xxxx

TT-2018 profile image
TT-2018

Are you taking diuretics? They affected my kidney function, so I had to stop taking them. It meant living with severe oedema, to the extent that when I finally had my transplant, they couldn’t use surgical stockings. They used an Intermittent Pneumatic Compression device.

Good luck with everything.

canadaliz profile image
canadaliz in reply toTT-2018

Hi TT,

I was on Spiro but they have stopped that and I now have mild swelling my ankles and hands. So frustrating!

Cheers, L

TT-2018 profile image
TT-2018 in reply tocanadaliz

A long handled shoe horn is a great idea.

in reply tocanadaliz

Great news on the NED cancer front, if I understood correctly. Wishing you a more expeditious process to transplantation and far healthier days ahead.

Anyone with cirrhosis is in danger of kidney damage. I don't have cirrhosis but I have early kidney damage (my kidneys are passing protein) probably caused by my recently discovered malignant hypertension (very high blood pressure) due to an as yet undetermined cause (most likely amyloidosis which will kill me in the next couple of years). My kidney damage is early & my blood pressure is now being controlled by medication.

Dr. Melissa Palmer's Guide To Hepatitis and Liver Disease:

"Damage to the body's largest filtering organ, the liver, puts a great deal of stress on the body's other major filtering organ—the kidneys. Many kidney disorders have been associated with cirrhosis. The most common of these is fluid retention, resulting in edema and ascites. This is usually treated with water pills, known as diuretics, and a special low-sodium (low-salt) diet.

The most serious complication associated with the kidneys is known as hepatorenal syndrome (HRS). HRS is defined as progressive deterioration of kidney function occurring in a person with advanced liver disease. This usually happens in patients who are already in the hospital due to other complications of cirrhosis. HRS can result in death unless a liver transplantation is performed. Since this complication is associated with lack of urination, kidney dialysis may be necessary as a time-gaining measure until liver transplantation can be performed. HRS can be prevented by avoiding the use of medications that can damage the kidneys, such as aminoglycosides (gentamycin, for example) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as Motrin and Advil) and by avoiding the overuse of diuretics used to treat fluid accumulation."

canadaliz profile image
canadaliz in reply to

Hi Edward,

Thank you that is a lot of great information. While I don't have Hep but rather had acute onset cirrhosis due to cancer treatment I am in the same boat re: kidney stress. It's funny, I have faced cancer and cirrhosis but I have a massive fear of dialysis. I'll just keep putting one foot in front of the other and hope for the best.

Cheers, Liz

in reply tocanadaliz

Hi Liz,

remember all the experience and strength you gained from all that you've been through already? Put your dialysis fears in this and trust it can make them fade away.

And remember to add your kidneys to your list of salty 'replies' for not eating what waiters have been told to get you to order. x :-)

in reply to

Hi Edward. I found your post interesting and informative. Thank you for sharing. Best wishes to you.

in reply to

Thank you for your post Edward. I’ve been on this site a couple of years now trying to help an alcoholic friend.

He passed away 5 weeks ago from just that, Hepatorenal Syndrome.

Sadly he chose to ignore all the signs of decompensated liver cirrhosis and didn’t seek help in time. I’d never heard of HRS until I was at his bedside as he died. But thank you for mentioning it on here.

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