Are kidneys ok?

[Love101cats]

If a ultrasound shows no problems with my kidneys but my gfr is betweenn25 and 29 what could the problem be? I just don't get it. I have symptoms like swelling, back,pain and skin discoloured. ?

[medway-lady]

No idea sorry I got to 8% before any symptoms. Its best to ask your GP as I'd assume there could be many things that lower eGFR including as happened to me a reaction to medication.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to medway-lady]

Agree that there could be various reasons for CKD and each of our prescribed diets and treatment may be different.

[medway-lady in reply to orangecity41]

I had umpteen tests and 14 days in hospital. The only thing it could have been was Omeprazole used for Rhumatoid patients to protect against the effects of RA meds on the stomach. I was fit, and had no disease of any sort. Odd but rare !

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to medway-lady]

Wow. Omeprazole must affect people differently. I have been taking for over 20 years. It may have contributed to CKD?

[medway-lady in reply to orangecity41]

Yes as was first an AKI then over time became CKD. Although I have no progressive disease at a ll.

[Love100cats in reply to medway-lady]

Im taking Omeprazole to protect my stomach. I'll check up on it in the morning.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to Love100cats]

I too take omeprazole (smallest dose) due to gastro issue and is important I keep taking it, or could have serious effects. Best to check with your Doctor about pros and cons.

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador in reply to medway-lady]

Absolutely! If no kidney - friendly diet is in place and issues with medications any reaction could manifest.

[Jayhawker]

My first nephrologist used to tell me that they don’t always know the cause of an individual case of CKD. I’d definitely talk with the nephrologist. He or she may want to do a biopsy to try to figure it out.

Jayhawker

[Glyndwright in reply to Jayhawker]

I had a biopsy and they still could not explain to my why my kidneys failed, was on dialysis for quite a few weeks, when my temporary line fell out, back on hospital the doctor told me me kidney function had increased, that was over a year now and my kidney was 44%. They are now 27%.

[Love100cats in reply to Glyndwright]

It does seem odd when you don't know what the problem is. I never realised how complex they are. Ive just had another blood test so can't wait to see whatvthe latest is.

[Hidden in reply to Glyndwright]

The nephrologist told me that sometimes there’s too much scarring on a kidney so even if they do a biopsy it won’t make any difference because the tissue they remove will be too scarred to make an informed judgement.

[Hidden]

It could be many things, hypertension, high blood pressure, a reaction to antibiotics, FSGS, IGA Neuropathy, Dehydration, Diabetes etc. Sometimes doctors just don’t know what caused it and focus on treatment to stop further damage. If the decline continues then you start preparing for dialysis and get onto the transplant list.

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador]

Please make a list of all of your concerns and speak to your GP about them when you see her. Don't forget to ask for a referral to a nephrology consultant.

Remember that any number of reasons could account for pain, discoloration or any other medical related symptoms.

Please ring up your GP and see her.

[Cheller0566]

I'm starting to wonder if my allergic reaction to Z-Pak antibiotic is the cause. I had a reaction to that back in 2018 I am also allergic to Sulfa both antibiotics caused a rash. How can you prove that an antibiotic caused it?

[medway-lady in reply to Cheller0566]

For me and Omeprazole it was elimination. No disease of any sort healthy kidneys one day then a month later 8% so urgent admission to A&E. Scans, an MRI, a biopsy and they went back to see if missed anything but no everything was normal so any new medications err yes so by elimination and evidence now coming out it could only have been that.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

No one here can say for sure what has caused your low eGFR numbers. You need to see your doctor and ask to get to the bottom of the problem that is effecting your kidney function. I would want to know the cause too. If your BP is high, medication can help from damaging your kidneys more. Some more testing may need to be done to find the cause. Sometimes the cause is unexpected. I was diagnosed with FSGS and was traced back to a case of strep throat when I was 9 and a case of nephritis a couple months later. I was diagnosed 30 years later. So, sometimes...

[Love101cats in reply to WYOAnne]

Wow! I can't believe your responses. I honestly thought no one would have the same problem. Im starting to wonder if it could be connected to stress. I had a kidney function blood test in the autumn and nothing worrying at all. Ive kept all the reports. Then im caring for my husband in final stages at home with heart failure myself. He died in December. I have my next blood tests in Spring just before the Pandemic and low and behold I'm down to 25% kidney function. The other thing to consider is that my heart bnp is very high at over 4500.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

A lot of times, as with me, the nephrologist had to perform a kidney biopsy. The sample is looked under the microscope and doctor can see the cause. I would want to know the cause, so maybe I could do something to prevent further damage. Most that have been diagnosed with CKD have started a kidney friendly diet and has helped to stabilize their decline.

I was diagnosed in 1992 and by 1998 I was on the transplant list. Back then, no one knew about changing your diet and how it could help your kidneys. I had my transplant in 1999 from a deceased donor and have been living well for 21 years.

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador in reply to WYOAnne]

Thanks, WYOAnne,

I agree and have been stressing the same; every case is different as is every person. The doctor or consultant should be the first line of communication and will look at the whole person.

B..

[Kidme]

My mother was on dialysis 7 years before she died. No doctor could tell her why she had kidney disease and she knew of no one in the family who had it. Fast forward 25 years and my creatinine started rising. A smart nephrologist was able to do a genetic test because he said “there was no other reason to explain why I had kidney disease”. Turns out our family has a rare genetic kidney disease. I have 5 family members diagnosed with it now. The ultrasounds showed nothing. I encourage you to ask around in your family to see if members had any kidney disease (or historically there were other names used, like Bright’s disease). I think nephrologists are starting to help people understand why they have kidney disease and people want to know. A lot of research is being done. I hope you are able to find out. Best of luck!

[Love101cats in reply to Kidme]

You make some valid points. Thank you.