Lupus nephritis

[svfarmer]

Hi all the past 2 weeks I’ve had extreme swelling in my feet, ankles and hands much more than usual - I had my normal bloods taken last week as I’m on methotrexate , my question is would it show up in my bloods if I have damage to my kidneys, I haven’t had urine checked for about 6 months and have read that sometimes the damage is done before you get any symptoms and am just a little worried - many thanks

[PMRpro]

As long as they do the right tests - urine tests often don't show a lot in fact.

[svfarmer in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for your reply x

[debsgm in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, itdoes.

Foamy and frothy urine usually shows albuminuria (proteinuria), a sign that the kidneys are leaking protein. Not right.

This needs to be followed up by specific blood tests.

Many other tests are required.

[Tiggywoos]

Hey lovely . So sorry to hear about the swelling .. so painful 😣 and worrying . I’m no dr but I have read before that damage is only picked up through a biopsy sometimes ? I’m sure you’ll get some more medically minded replies . I get the hands and face (often get asked if I’ve had filler 🙄) . Feet and ankles must be so painful .

Really hope you get some relief … other than elevation of feet I can’t think of anything else that’s helpful 😔sorry .

Big hugs xxx

[svfarmer in reply to Tiggywoos]

Hi Tiggy thanks so much for replying - my hands are so swollen I can’t even do my knitting 😂 I’m in bed already and will put a pillow under my feet and see if that helps - thanks for your hugs - big hugs back to you 🤗🥰

[Tiggywoos in reply to svfarmer]

If you can bear it try crushing some ice tomorrow , pop in little bad and wrap around ankles … may help Legs up the wall worth a shout too xxx

[Tiggywoos in reply to svfarmer]

Bag even not bad !

[svfarmer in reply to Tiggywoos]

😂😂😂 thought you meant bag x

[Tiggywoos in reply to svfarmer]

I love the way you’ve had such scientific responses all so helpful 😊.. and then You have me telling you to get your legs 🦵 up the wall 😂😉❤️X

[Jmiller623]

Most of the time creatinine is elevated but not always. More telling is when people complain of foamy urine suggesting proteinuria and this can cause significant swelling since you lose osmotic pressure within blood vessels and fluid leaks out into tissues.

A urinalysis including creatinine/protein (or albumin if it’s a nephrologist) ratio with a basic metabolic panel should pick any abnormalities up. Our electrolytes get all wonky as well with kidney issues so this is another sign of kidney dysfunction.

There are so many things that can cause swelling of the legs and feet. I wouldn’t jump to kidney issues right away.

[svfarmer in reply to Jmiller623]

Thanks so much for your reply xx

[happytulip in reply to svfarmer]

I agree, getting the GP to do a urine Dio may help. A standard urine dip will if there is protein or not.

As you know I am often plagued with UTIs so I do my own urine dips at home. I buy the Siemens strips from Amazon (don't go for a cheaper brand), just an idea if you wanted to do it yourself.

[svfarmer in reply to happytulip]

Thanks happytulip my surgery are amazing the doctor rang to go and see me, she did bloods and urine test - showed a tiny bit of protein but she’s going to send it off to lab - did you end up going to Lapland ? Xx

[happytulip in reply to svfarmer]

Yup, I certainly did!!! No sun, joints were so much better in that climate and the air was so clean. And we met Santa!

Picture of snow covered tree

[svfarmer in reply to happytulip]

Oh that’s wonderful - it must have done you the world of good xx

[KayHimm in reply to happytulip]

😀😀 Wonderful!

[Hidden in reply to happytulip]

So glad you had a good trip, amazing picture.

[skylark15 in reply to happytulip]

Hi, HT.

I get very frequent UTIs and would be interested to know if you know the reason for yours? If you'd rather not say publicly, please PM me. Thanks.

Tess

[WinterSwimmer]

It could be that you do have one of the types of lupus nephritis. Swelling of the kind you describe is an early symptom. A urine test would show protein (and sometimes blood) and in combination with the swelling would be a hint to a doctor that they needed to do a EGFR (a test of kidney function). This is based on a calculation that involves your age and the amount of creatinine in your blood. But in any case, if you have had a full blood count done, they should have tested for creatinine. If they have not, go back to your GP and explain your worries ask for another blood test and a urine test. The most dangerous and aggressive form of nephritis (which is Class VI, I think) is very treatable - so try not to panic. Let us know how you go on.

[svfarmer in reply to WinterSwimmer]

Thankyou for your reply will get on to GP today x

[WinterSwimmer in reply to svfarmer]

If they’ve done kidney function, that is all you need. Other people have given good info on stages of kidney disease. Lupus nephritis comes in various guises, some are slow and treatable, some are fast moving (but very treatable), and some are slower but fatal. Only a biopsy will tell you which type you have. If they find your kidney function is dropping, that may be the next step. Good luck with it all.

[svfarmer in reply to WinterSwimmer]

Thankyou 😘

[Tiggywoos in reply to WinterSwimmer]

Hi winterswimmer .. do you mind me asking about the eFGR test results ranges as when I research it I find so many different answers ? Thank you 😊 xx

[CecilyParsley]

I really hope that you get some answers lovely. I have grossly swollen feet taking up to 5E shoes and boots. It is very painful and affects my balance. Big Cwtches and lots of love xxx

[svfarmer in reply to CecilyParsley]

Thankyou Celicy ♥️

[suzannah16]

I think so, why else would my renal doc take so much blood? 5 tubes usually. I think the bloods tell them various thing about how the kidney is functioning and then they do further tests if something shows up.

[svfarmer in reply to suzannah16]

Thanks Suzannah xx

[chrisj]

I suffered swelling in one leg in the early days of the pandemic that I was assured was odema and nothing more serious.

It took a while to settle down and I still get slight swelling low down on that leg. I caught an e coli infection some time ago that damaged my kidneys, I think the swelling was related to that. Might be worth giving your doctor a call xx

[Tiggywoos in reply to chrisj]

Blimey you’d never think an ecoli infection would damage kidneys 🙄xx

[chrisj in reply to Tiggywoos]

I know, bit of a shock was that Tiggy. The infection cleared up but I still felt poorly, didnt want to eat or drink and ended up in hospital for a couple of weeks. Kidney function has since improved but its not what it was and of course I'm now an out patient at renal. I get checked out every 4 or 6 months depending on the doctor...or at my gp following a phone appointment since covid hit us xx

[svfarmer in reply to chrisj]

Yes I’m waiting for GP to ring me xx

[chrisj in reply to svfarmer]

👍

[MrsMarigold]

Hi svfarmer. I find my hands, feet and even legs get swollen if I do not move enough. Moving or exercising helps lymph drainage. Helps all the “ toxins” move and drain from our system. Even very gentle exercises are effective. For instance my PT teacher taught me how to lay down on my back with a big foam roller at my ankles and to gently move the roller 10 times in one area and work your way up to your knees. Feels fabulous massage and indeed removes swelling. I used to do it everyday but now I do lymph moving exercises in a pool. The foam roller I bought through Amazon. Hope this helps Titters🎄

[svfarmer in reply to MrsMarigold]

Thanks Titters I will look into this - very useful info - I walk the dogs about 4 times a week and in between I go on my cross trainer xx

[MEGS53]

That sounds very painful, SV.

Yes, defo ask your GP for further tests on kidney function. Much better to catch these things early.

Sending hugs, 🤗🤗🤗

[svfarmer in reply to MEGS53]

I rang my doctors , they are brilliant I’ve just been in and had bloods taken and urine so she said she should get results by Monday xx

[Tiggywoos in reply to svfarmer]

So glad you’ve been in hun …well done , would have been easier not to have gone xx ❤️

[MEGS53 in reply to svfarmer]

Okies, good that they are dealing with it quickly. Please keep us updated.

Take it easy, 😘😘😘

[Tiggywoos]

Great thank you !

[KayHimm]

No, they need both urine and blood tests. I think urinalysis can pick up protein and microscopic blood before the blood shows abnormalities. If your urine is abnormal, you will likely have a 24 hour urine test.

Definitely contact your doctor.

😘😘

[svfarmer in reply to KayHimm]

Thanks Kay went into see doctor today she took bloods and had urine test- she will get results Monday, how are you doing ? X

[KayHimm in reply to svfarmer]

Glad you went to see doctor. Let us know the results.

I am doing fine. Thanks for asking. Have been traveling to see niece and nephew and their children. Now it is time to stay put and try to avoid another bout of Covid.

xk

[svfarmer in reply to KayHimm]

Really glad your doing ok - have a lovely Christmas 🎄😘

[KayHimm in reply to svfarmer]

Merry Christmas to you 🎁

[WinterSwimmer]

My GP is pretty good. Low kidney function is low kidney function, regardless of what is causing it. My GP can pick up low kidney function, and knowing what is wrong with me and that I am under the care of a nephrologist, he knows where to refer me.

[svfarmer]

Thanks Ingrid and I’m very sorry that you have class 5 x

[WinterSwimmer]

… And five is the one that is very treatable. Do you take mycophenolate, Ingrid?

[WinterSwimmer]

Long may it continue. I take the same, but my kidney function is not so great. Keep sticking to your regime, whatever it is. They are not called vital organs for nothing.

[Uzor]

Yes, the blood test does show any abnormal reading. If your GP is really concerned, he will refer you to the appropriate specialist or he may take a second blood test, prior to.

[svfarmer in reply to Uzor]

Thanks for reply I’m waiting for GP to ring with results she also said she will give my consultant a ring x