A little background introduction here.. I have Lupus Nephritis Class IV, and was diagnosed in Jan 2015. I was in remission until early Dec 2017, where the urine results showed that there was protein leakage again above the normal range.
My Urine Protein Creatinine Ratio (PCR, see image) has increased from 112.5 (11 Dec 2017) to 164 (18 Dec 2017), to 191 (8 Jan 2018). The doctor has increased the dosage as follows:
11 Dec 2017 - Increased prednisone from 5mg to 20mg daily
18 Dec 2017 - Increased prednisone from 20mg to 40mg, then tapered down to 15mg daily
8 Jan 2018 - Increased Cellcept (mycophenolate mofetil) from 1000mg to 1500mg daily
The doctor said it might take up to 3 months to get the readings down. At the mean time he mentioned that my Creatinine readings (see the one labelled 'Creatinine' indicate that my kidney is still functioning well, but it is under attack by my lupus, which is the reason why he had to increase the immunosuppressant. He said it may take around 3 - 9 months for the medicine to show its effect.
Anyone of you guys have been through this protein leakage journey (so far mine is just going up)? How long did it take for the meds to show their effects? Also what did you change in your diet or lifestyle etc that might have caused your protein leakage to reduce? Would really hope to hear some experience on how this was handled.. When I first heard it from the doctor yesterday, can't help but feel quite disheartening.. considering the fact that for the past 3 weeks I have been stress free and taking care of my diet. If that doesn't work, I feel like I am running out of ideas...
Hi, I was interested in your post, my doc is repeating my blood tests next week as she didn't like the levels. Can you tell me your symtoms of this
Hi there. Symptoms for kidney involvement often include bubbly and dark urine, frequency of urination, swelling of the calves etc. Otherwise there are no clear symptoms until you do a urine and blood test, and doctors will look at the Creatinine level (if higher than normal, indicate that kidney function is affected, the kidney was not able to remove Creatinine), Albumine level and the Urine Protein Creatinine Ratio (High indicates an ongoing attack, that the kidney is scarred and not able to prevent protein from leaking). Blood test often reveal lupus activity if the White Blood Cells/Red Blood Cells etc are unusually high or low. High WBC indicates the immune system being overly active, low WBC indicates the damage the WBC suffered in the process of the internal war. You may want to ask the doctor which particular reading they do not favor, and what does that indicate.
Thank you for that information, I will ask the doc some questions. My urine is dark and foamy, also have a dull ache in the kidney area. I have MCTD. It's been all over my body, I wonder if it's the kidneys turn. My appetite is not good just now as well as the usual fatigue . Thank you so much for replying x
Hang on there soldier! It will get better, we just need some time!