Blood in urine

[NICOLETTE2020]

Hi everyone. My Dad has CKD and is now at 18% function. |He just told me that blood has started to appear in his urine and when this happened he was even more exhausted than usual and struggled to egt out of bed at all. I noticed his face is now looking puffy too. Is visible blood in urine a sign that his function has gone down again? How serious is this symptom? Thanks in advance for replies x

[Jayhawker]

Has he (or have you) called his nephrologist? If not, I’d suggest that you so that as soon as possible.

You mentioned that his face is puffy. Does he have additional signs of fluid retention (hands, fingers, ankles, etc)? Also, how is his blood pressure? It will be helpful for you to have this information for his nephrologist. I’d also consider taking a picture showing the blood in your father’s urine to show his nephrologist...

But the most important thing is to get in touch with his nephrologist.

Let us know how your father is doing.

Jayhawker

[NICOLETTE2020 in reply to Jayhawker]

We are UK and he saw the renal clinic last week but this was just to discuss his previous blood results which shows he has gone down to 18%. He did get blood taken last week but hasn't heard anything. My Dad is a very private man so I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't telling me everything. He must have got a fright when he saw the blood because he told me about it as well as being unable to do anything but rest for 2 days. I am guessing the blood in urine signifies swollen kidneys? He does have puffy hands and ankles and he has suffered from high blood pressure for years but it was higher at clinic last week. He wont let anyone go to his appointments with him and if I call the clinic they will not tell me anything. I am not too impressed with how he is being monitored. He mostly seems to have phone consultations to discuss bloodwork that the GP takes prior to this. He hasn't had any imaging tests since before his hospital discharge last June (from aneurysm which has caused ckd) so if they are not looking at his kidneys I worry something is being missed.

[GBear in reply to NICOLETTE2020]

May God bless you and your father. Gently encourage him to take someone close (you?) to his 'important' doc appts. Blood in urine could be caused by many things: the kidney disorder or a urinary tract infection or (rarely) a respiratory viral infection causing a followon effect in the kidneys (for IgA nephropathy). It's important he sees a doctor, and then stay as generally healthy as possible. You mentioned an aneurysm caused his CKD. I encourage you to read up on the work of Drs. T. Colin Campbell and Esselstyn. They encourage people to switch to a whole food plant based diet, which dramatically improves the state of the bodies blood vessels.

You will have to be so very wise in how you broach these topics with your father. May God grant you grace and wisdom in doing this.

[Jayhawker in reply to NICOLETTE2020]

With COVID I’ve had several telemedicine (phone) appointments too. I am able to show my physicians not only my face but also my hands, ankles, lower legs, etc, during these appointments. It’s not as good as a physical exam where my doctors can actually feel for edema, but it has worked. They also have me send them a table with my weight and BP readings. I weigh myself twice a day and take my BP four times a day.

I have an appointment at the kidney transplant center (I’m actively waitlisted for a kidney transplant so have annual appointments with the transplant center) this Friday. Two of my friends will attend that appointment with me. But they will attend virtually using Zoom. I’m both very private and independent; however, it is helpful to have people with me for my appointments. Hopefully your father will be willing to have someone attend his appointments with him soon. My parents chose not to share a lot about their medical issues with their children for years. I finally talked with them about that to try to help them understand how stressful that was for us... They just didn’t want to be a burden. But when they realized that we wanted to know and help, they gradually started sharing information with us. Hopefully your father will be able to do that soon as well.

Jayhawker

[NICOLETTE2020 in reply to Jayhawker]

Yes my Dad is very private and tends to see any sort of displays of emotion etc as weak so that is why the blood in urine must have worried him to even mention it to me.He has also put weight on which he isn't pleased about so am guessing it is water retention.

[hardrock430 in reply to NICOLETTE2020]

I’m in the US and I’m at Stage 4, kidney function is at 24% and I stayed swelled, I’m on furosemide 20mg in the morning and 20mg in the evening, prayers for your dad and you

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Hi Any blood in urine is cause for concern. Please contact his nephrologist asap.

[NICOLETTE2020 in reply to Bassetmommer]

Does it generally mean his kidneys are swollen considering that he is not far from stage 5?

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to NICOLETTE2020]

not necessarily and we do not diagnose here. But blood in urine is serious.

[browneyes1999]

I hope he will let you go! I just got out of the hospital almost passed out walking up the church steps Sunday I came with 9 b/p pills to take and b/p is normal now ! May God bless you and your family