Kidneys and Arthritis pain: HI, my kidneys... - Kidney Disease

Kidney Disease

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Kidneys and Arthritis pain

Dakot profile image
26 Replies

HI, my kidneys have been known to be very sensitive to chemicals. We don’t know why but there has been fluctuation with my kidney egfr with some chemicals in supplements or meds. All is back to normal and steady

I have arthritis in my hip lately it has been painful I will not take any pills or pain killers as I do not want my kidneys to have to work harder.

My question if any one knows I have considered creams and lotions for the pain but do not know if they enter the bloodstream. I asked my Doctors they are not sure, I did research no definitive answers. I m not even sure if these creams work but I would like to try but not if they get into my system and my kidneys have to work harder then of course I do not want that. I know this is an unusual question so thank you

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Dakot
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26 Replies
jodaer profile image
jodaer

I can't answer your question but I can recommend a cream I use that is very, very good. It's a herbal cream called China Gel. I would give you more info but the print on the jar is too hard to read. You can get it from Amazon or directly from the web site. CS at the web site might be able to help you with your question.

Dakot profile image
Dakot in reply to jodaer

Thank you so much I will differently take a look.

OldTownhammock profile image
OldTownhammock in reply to Dakot

I use the medical marijuana cream on my shoulder which is extremely painful It works well enough to let me sleep. I hear the cbd salve helps too

Bassetmommer profile image
BassetmommerNKF Ambassador

HI Dakot,So anything that enters your blood stream through the skin will reach the kidneys. I have psoriatic arthritis and actually the use of pain relivers was the initial cause of my CKD. so beware. As you know, NSAIDS are a big no no. I have never had success with any creams for pain relief and I did try before I went on a DMARD and biologics.

Here's the thing. Arthritis causes inflammation and that too is not good for the kidneys. So fine yourself a rheumatologist to help you. A PCP is not going to have the info you will need specifically, but one who did not answer the fact that creams will get into the blood stream is pretty scary. How did they think they worked????

Dakot profile image
Dakot

Thank you. I was told to take an occasional Ibuprofen which I differently won’t do. I also have a back problem and did on a rare occasion but no more. I call them kidney killers. Thank you for your advice.

shortmat profile image
shortmat in reply to Dakot

I have arthritis , bad enough to have needed a hip replacement & on some days the pain is still severe. I am 73. & have CKD stage 3A. My view is that it's no good protecting your kidneys to such an extent that all you can do is sit around because the arthritis pain is bad, better to take 2 paracetamol & 2 ibuprofen together & keep moving. Not every day, but just occasionally. And I find that the ibuprofen reduces inflammation which helps the body in general. Ibuprofen is not a "kidney killer" , granted it is not ideal for your kidneys but it's no use having wonderful kidneys but not being able to move.

Dakot profile image
Dakot in reply to shortmat

Thank you I do agree with you about having great kidneys but can’t move without pain. I just seem to be so sensitive to any chemicals but really don’t know what chemicals until it effects things. For instance 2 yrs ago I was feeling the arthritis pain I started taken Glucosamine. My egfr dropped 15 points no problem prior, none at all. It took 9 months but my kidneys managed to recover from that injury. So I am looking for more healthy options if there are any at all. Thank you for your reply all thoughts are important.

jodaer profile image
jodaer

I have chronic pain also, my neph told me Tylenol is OK, all others not so good for kidneys.

Dakot profile image
Dakot in reply to jodaer

Thank you I did so much research and thought on really bad days it might be ok to take a Tylenol. My arthritis is not crippling but it is painful at times and oh so annoying. Thank you

justme0223 profile image
justme0223

Hi Dakot, I have been using essential oils from Doterra. They are the only thing that have helped me. I also take their suppliments. Tumeric and Copiaba is great for pain and inflamation. I make a blend with the oils and apply is right to my joint for fast relief. the oils can be applied whenever you need them because they are 100% pure, not like all the others claim. Hope this helps and good luck.

Dakot profile image
Dakot in reply to justme0223

Thank you I will consider all heathy options.

CKDnomore3953 profile image
CKDnomore3953 in reply to justme0223

Hi Justme,I have been using the Doterra flouride free toothpaste for several years and it is wonderful. My dental hygienist noticed an improvement in the level of placque on my teeth (there was almost none) on my first checkup after starting Doterra. I had been using senstitive toothpaste but could not find a product that was flouride free. I found Doterra on Amazon but did not realize they made other products. Thanks for the info.

Sophiebun11 profile image
Sophiebun11 in reply to CKDnomore3953

I use plain old baking soda to brush my teeth. I've been using it for 20 years. Nearly every dental product has some form of mint in it. I'm allergic to latex and mint is in the latex family so I have asthma or swelling in my mouth from flavored dental floss or toothpaste.

Okiksaints1955 profile image
Okiksaints1955

Anything that you put in or on your body has an effect. When put on (external), it has lesser effect.

I consult a skin specialist if I want to use cream or any externally applied medicine. She works in tandem with my Nephrologist. Together, they determine if it is safe for me to use such.

I have never use ANYTHING that has no approval from my Nephrologist.

Hope this helps.

lowraind profile image
lowraind

My rheumatologist prescribed Diclofenac Sodium. I checked with both my pcp and my nephrologist and they approved it. I resisted for a long time, but have started using it with caution and only when really needed.

CKDnomore3953 profile image
CKDnomore3953

Hi Dakot,I also have CKD stage 3a, and I am 73. I had a partial knee replacement in my left knee in 2010 due to osteoarthritis. In 2015 my right knee was bone on bone and the rheumatologist said it was time to replace it also. However, due to the CKD I did not want to stess my kidneys with the surgery and follow up treatments. With the first knee replacement I was given six different kinds of antibiotics plus anesthetic and intravenous pain meds all during the surgery and immediately after the surgery. I was only in the hospital from 7 am on Thursday to noon on Friday.

I decided to look for alternative solutions for my right knee issue. My medical insurance included a free membership to a fitness club through Silver Sneakers. I started going to the gym and hired a trainer to guide me through exercises that would be good for my arthritis. On the first day I could barely climb the stairs to the gym on the upper floor of the two story building. But after a one hour gentle workout my knee pain was practically gone. None of my doctors had ever recommended exercise for my arthritis pain - only pain meds and rest. After going to the gym 3 days a week doing mild exercises my knee pain was gone in a couple of weeks. When the pandemic lockdown started I found a used exercycle and a rowing machine on the internet and I have continued to do exercise at home. In the ten years since I retired, I have strained/injured my back on three occasions. The pain was so bad I could hardly roll out of bed. But I found that if I took a warm shower and gently stretched the muscles in my back while in the shower, and then followed the shower with walking around the house for 10-15 minutes the pain was practically gone. I aslo used alternating hot and cold packs on my back. I have not taken any pain medication since before 2015. I feel good and I am doing my best to be an active advocate for my health. This forum is a great place to get help in becoming a good advocate for your health.

Best wishes to you and I hope you feel better soon.

Dakot profile image
Dakot in reply to CKDnomore3953

Thank you very much I am so glad to hear you have found a workable solution. I too do not want to take any meds and I am Leary of creams and lotions that might enter you blood steam and have to be filtered by your kidney’s that is why I thought I would write here. Such a wonderful forum filled with many understanding people with knowledge to share.

My problem seems to be sleeping or sitting for an hour or so then my back and hip are very painful upon getting up. Once I move around it starts to subside.

I have started doing stretching before getting out of bed and getting up from a sitting position and find it helps so yes I agree that exercise can make a big difference, staying as mobile as possible too. I just have a hard time sleeping and I would think it was my mattress but I have changed that 3x in just a few years so where do you go with that? LOL

Thank you for your imput appreciate it and everyones time.

CKDnomore3953 profile image
CKDnomore3953

Hi Dakot,I too have changed my matress several times trying to find a matress that would provide a good night’s rest and allow me to wake up pain free. In 2019, before the lockdown, my husband (he has trouble getting good sleep too) and I did a lot of research and decided on a natural matress that got excellent reviews. But after a week on the new mattress we were both having back and hip pain in the morning. We bought a 3” memory foam pad to put on top of the matress which helped my husband’s back pain but I was still having hip pain. My sister recommended that I try a waffle foam mattress topper like the inexpensive ones thst are used in hospitals. We put that on the mattress on top of the memory foam topper and my hip pain is finally gone. I am a side sleeper and the relief of pressure on my hips from the foam topper has worked for me. When we bought our new bed we moved the old bed to our guest room ( That matress set was only a few years old). I bought a waffle foam topper for that bed too and our guests always say what a comfortable bed it is. It is certainly worth a try for you since the foam is very reasonably priced at Target and Walmart.

Best wishes for restful, painfree sleep for you,

Dakot profile image
Dakot in reply to CKDnomore3953

HI well thank you, I just bought and added Dormeo mattress topper it is very soft. I got it about 2 weeks ago but so far it isn’t helping that much a little. Customer service is great and they give you that 100 night sleep then you can request a refund. They do ask you to sleep on it for at least 30 days before deciding. I like it, but I am still waking up with hip and back pain. I am a side sleeper but during the night I will end up on my back.

I was looking for something more to add thinking its my arthritis and bad back. But I really need some relief from this pain but I must keep my kidneys healthy at the same time. I don’ t want to take pain meds and my research is not helping on wether creams or gels could enter you blood stream and effect kidneys since they have to filter everything.

I will take a look at the waffle foam. Maybe both will help? Is that what you did. As you know buying more mattresses is not only costly but you don’t even know what your body wants. Is there a particular brand you found helpful? Thank you so much, I appreciate your suggestion and so happy to hear you got relief.

CKDnomore3953 profile image
CKDnomore3953

Hi Dakot,Yes we have both the 3” memory foam and the 1 1/4” “Mainstays 7-zone foam topper” on top of our mattress. I have three sisters and we are all using the waffle foam to alleviate hip pain. One of my sisters takes a rolled up piece of foam in a duffle bag when she travels.

I hope the foam works as well for you as it does for me.

Dakot profile image
Dakot in reply to CKDnomore3953

Thank you will be giving this a try, thank you for even sending the brand you used that is so helpful.

jodaer profile image
jodaer

I've had a sleep number bed for many years, it worked well until it got a leak. Several months ago I replaced it with another sleep number and it's great. I would also suggest some gentle yoga in the morning and before you go to bed. Stretching is one exercise we seem to forget about and it works wonders.

Dakot profile image
Dakot in reply to jodaer

I wish a sleep number bed was in the budget, not yet though. Thank you for your reply. Everyone has been so supportive.

Sophiebun11 profile image
Sophiebun11

Topical gels and ointment ingredients do enter the bloodstream. I have an autoimmune disease and take a pain reliever called Tramadol for my pain. It's a prescription and my Neph said it's ok. OTC pain meds like NSAIDS are hard on the kidneys. Your Neph should be able to work with your PCP or a rheumatologist on pain meds.

Since arthritis is an inflammatory condition, you should look into anti-inflammatory diets and find out which foods cause inflammation and avoid those food even if they are ok on a CKD diet. Most of the inflammatory foods belong to the nightshade family such as tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, also sugary or starchy foods like sweets, bread and pasta.

Since you don't want to do anything invasive like medication and maybe you've ruled out surgery (?) you may want to ask for a referral to a physical therapist. They can help you with gentle movement, infa-red heat, and teach you some exercises to help at home. If you need to lose weight that could take off some pressure, and also the right shoes and insert can help how you stand and remove some pressure from your joints.

Best of luck to you.

Dakot profile image
Dakot in reply to Sophiebun11

thank you so much for your reply. I am taking everyones reply into consideration and I appreciate the time and advice so much.

CatOnACloud profile image
CatOnACloud

For my knee pain (torn ACL and both sides meniscus) the only thing that helps with pain are the 4% lidocaine patches you can buy anywhere now. Especially when going to an appointment.

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