Diclofenac :(

[c0wboy61]

Heads up , after talking to my Kidney doc , I am thinking that being on diclofenac for the last 5 yrs is the culprit of my CKD. I have been off of it since being diagnosed a few weeks back . I have read some scary things about diclofenac and kidneys . Im a little mad I was not warned about this as it was reissued time and time again . Well I pray it makes some difference being off of it now and ill see next month when I get another blood test . Just remember guys and gals do your research on what you are taking . I feel kinda of foolish for blindly thinking others know whats best for me . Sometimes fixing one thing can have a affect on other parts of your system.

[Hidden]

I've had similar feelings three years ago when I was diagnosed with CKD. I had to learn to be proactive and how to do it that would be beneficial in both the short and long term.

Instead of taking any medications the doctors suggested I found an app for drugs.com. Now, when a doctor suggests a med I get out my phone and look it up. Based on the reading of food and drug interactions, as well as side effects I ask my questions before the doc writes out the script. To date, I've had issues with three suggestions and they came up with a different medication.

Best of luck.

[c0wboy61 in reply to Hidden]

Yes sir , in the short time I been in this journey , I have already found another med I should stop.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

oh boy, this is a very common situation. NSAIDs were prescribe (1800 mg ) to me for many years to deal with Psoriatic Arthritis. I actually crashed my kidneys with a prescribed combination of Methotextrate, Prednisone and on going Advil. The crazy part was I was telling my doctors I was peeing blood and no one would do anything about it. I later then had an issue with a change in another medication to control my blood sugar. Again, the Doctor would not take me off the prescription, even though my daily glucose readings were through the ceiling. I took myself off and went back to what I was on before. I fired him.

Here's the good part for you, Cowboy. Stopping now may help increase your GFR. If nothing else, it will help deter an decline.

There is no reason to feel foolish. We trust our medical providers implicatively. How is it possible for them to always know all the right answers? That is why it is always good to have a health care team. You should seek out specialists. I would not take my Mercedes to any car shop. I would want to go to the best Mercedes shop. But I do not worry about that because I drive a Chevy. lololo

Its also good to have them able to work together and communicate together for your best health. And you are in control, not them.

Learning about CKD is to your advantage. The Docs have the degrees but I want some knowledge too. That is why I use evidence based journals and not recommendations on Amazon. ( Although they can be quite humorous...see the one about gummy bears: amazon.com/Albanese-Candy-S...

[c0wboy61 in reply to Bassetmommer]

lol maybe ill try them gummies out for my CKD .....Yikes

[Mandelin]

I’ve actually watched my doctors pull out their phones and look the medications up as we are talking about them before writing the script to make sure they are ok to take. I’m surprised other doctors aren’t doing that.

[Hidden in reply to Mandelin]

Only my urologist uses a tablet to enter medical issues and then a medication to be considered and we review possible side-effects and interactions with my other health issues/meds and foods.

Several other physicians use either a tablet or computer but not to look up meds to prescribe.

I certainly wish all of them would use the technology available instead of going with their favorite pharmaceutical corporation.

[Darlenia in reply to Hidden]

Hear! Hear! The Information Era is at one's fingertips!

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to Darlenia]

In all Electronic Medical Records, there is lists of drugs with all the side effects. The doctors should be using the computer AT the visit. If they prescribe anything, it comes up automatically with interactions and the level of complications from it. If they aren't talking to you about it at the time they prescribe, rethink your doctor.

Also as a patient, we get print outs which are exactly the same thing in the EMR. It behooves us to read it through. Sometimes a medication can have an adverse reaction to something you would never think it would. For example, certain drugs cannot be taken with grapefruit juice.

The is is the main reason why OTC and supplements are dangerous because they do not come with this important information. Always check with your doctor before you start something new.

[Darlenia in reply to Bassetmommer]

Exactly!!!

[Darlenia]

People simply don't realize that they, themselves, are completely in charge. As I've told my college students time and time again, the US runs a free market economy that largely relies on consumers, not sellers, in determining what goods and services stay or go. Most also don't realize that those "medical organizations" that routinely issue statements and referred to by our doctors are nothing more than medical trade/lobby organizations (similar to the NRA, etc.) drumming up business for their membership while masquerading under sophisticated banners such as college, academy, etc. (American College of Surgeons, American Academy of Pediatrics, etc.) One may have heard about the "caveat emptor" principle (buyer beware or buyer be aware). It's a serious, important, and powerful principle ... which drives this nation's commerce in all areas. Our health is truly in our hands.

[Jayhawker in reply to Darlenia]

Absolutely! As I said in an earlier post in another thread, we, as patients, really need to advocate for ourselves. We have to live with these treatments and their side effects. Thus we need to have full information so we can make informed decisions about our treatments. I’m voting with my feet when I run into problems no matter how exhausting voting with my feet may be.

Jayhawker

[drmind]

Boy, did I learn this recently. Hoping you found a culprit that could be causing some CKD issues. Wish the doctors would use the drug interaction guides. But, most important as others on this list say often, be proactive. Check for yourself. Best of luck and keep us posted.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to drmind]

Simply ask the doctor to supply you with the information form at the time they prescribe. It is mandatory.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

Were you taking Diclofenac Sodium Topical gel, 1%?

My nephrologist actually started me on this. I rub into my arthritic knees every night. The 1% refers to the amount of NSAIDS contained. However he told me that even less gets absorbed. I am doing great 20+ years post transplant

[c0wboy61 in reply to WYOAnne]

75mg tablets, I took them 5 yrs

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador in reply to c0wboy61]

See if you can use the gel. It is not absorbed as tablets are. I am sure it's not as effective, but for my arthritic knees it does help.

[Helloyall]

It is NEVER meant for long term use!