Chemo induced kidney problems

[magstherunner]

Hi, I have had 4 rounds of pemetrexed and Carboplatin together with Keytruda immuno therapy. I was doing really well - and feel really well, but recent blood tests have shown that my kidneys are not clearing creatinine as they should following this being normal prior to treatment. As a result I was not given Pemetrexed last time round (the carboplatin was being discontinued anyway) receiving only the Keytruda. A further blood test this week has shown that the creatinine levels have increased again. I am concerned that my kidneys are being permanently damaged by the chemo that I have already received and it looks like this will be discontinued. I am looking for anything that might treat the cancer and prevent it growing if I cannot have the chemo that I have been having. Anyone got any ideas? I am also concerned that if my kidneys have been permanently damaged a double whammy might ensue - i.e. need for dialysis. I have started having a walk and jog for 2.5K a couple of times a week and do not feel ill at all - although I have no chance of running as I did previously.. Also I am eating normally and well and my weight is stable. Thanks guys.

[Goingcuckoo]

Hi

My husband was on carboplatin and pemetrexed and the same thing happened to his kidneys. He had to stop his maintenence Pemetrexed (he'd already had his full 6 courses of Carboplatin). Due to kidney function being at AKI 2 and Covid he had a 6 month break. He's now just had his second course of Docetaxel chemo. His kidney function is now OK. He drinks loads of water to flush his kidneys through.

Hope your kidneys also recover. There are different chemo treatments out there that isn't excreted through the kidneys, such as Docetaxel. He did have six months of Keytruda in Sept 2018 but that stopped working for him.

[magstherunner in reply to Goingcuckoo]

Thanks for that. Feel more reassured. You know how it is, you want to have anything that might help stave off the inevitable. I am still optimistic and pretty chipper.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hello magstherunner,

There are certain drugs and combinations of drugs such as Pemetrexed which can cause changes in the way that your kidneys work, oncology teams will keep a very close watch on kidney function monitoring blood levels such as creatinine, if these levels begin to rise it can indicate the kidneys are not working correctly and the chemotherapy stopped or the doses reduced. Often once the chemo has been stopped over time kidney function can improve and may return back to normal, the team and your gp should continue to monitor your kidney function. It is good that you are still receiving Keytruda as this is an immunotherapy drug, speak with the nurse specialist or your consultant and have a talk over what the next steps will be.

If you If you wish to talk to us about anything you can either email us at [e-mail] or call our freephone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[magstherunner in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Thank you. The team are monitoring my bloods closely and I have a more comprehensive kidney function test next week. Also a telephone consultation with one of the oncology doctors so will be able to go through options then. Thanks again.