Calcific Tendonitis

[unknownunknown]

My husband has a painful calcific tendonitis in his right shoulder. He has PKD, gfr is 30 and going into stage 4. Ortho doctor gave him a Cortizone shot 2 days ago, so far it has not relieved the pain. I read this happens more often with end-stage renal disease. Also he was taking more vitamin D to prevent getting covid. I wonder if this contributed to the calcium deposits? He will be getting his vit d level ck'd next week

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Taking Vit D for protection from COVID is like carrying water in a sieve. Vit D can become toxic with people who have CKD. You should talk to your doctor about an appropriate level. Remember with CKD the filtration system does not work as well as it should and so things remain in the blood that would normally get removed. The body levels of calcium and other minerals will be altered and need to be followed by the doctor who might recommend treatment to help stabilize the levels. Do not try to do that on your own.

[unknownunknown in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thank u! He's due to see his nephrologist so will talk to him about it. Such a learning curve with diet needs as disease progresses. Thank God for internet research and groups like this to learn more

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to unknownunknown]

Although at first, the changes in diet may seem extreme and cumbersome, they do become the new normal. I was diagnosed and told to prepare for dialysis over four years ago. Changes in diet stablized my kidneys for the most part. When you talk with the doctor, see if you can get a referral for a renal dietician who can create a diet/meal plan that works for him and the whole family. We are here for you when you have questions.

[unknownunknown in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thank u. Did a telemed with a reg dietician which only gave general info. Need to get a renal dietician appt. High potassium levels seem to be one of hubby's biggest problems now. Paying so much attention to labels now and its amazing how much potassium some things have!

[Sophiebun11]

Unless your blood test shows a clinically low level of vit D, there is no need to take it. It's a simple blood test. I have very low Vit D. and have been on prescription vit D for over a decade with no calcification and no Covid protection as I got Covid the first year 2020. Masking and vaccines are the best Covid protection, not vitamins.

Ask the Neph about any supplements and OTC meds.

This is a question for the Neph or Ortho Dr.

Best wishes.

[unknownunknown in reply to Sophiebun11]

thank u. So much to learn and each body seems to react different to everything! More questions to ask neph on upcoming appt.

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

Has the calcific tendinitis diagnosis been confirmed?

[unknownunknown in reply to KidneyCoach]

Yes, by xray. First a trip to primary who thought it might be a rotator cuff problem. Then so much pain he went to ER, then followed up with Ortho last Thursday who gave a Cortizone injection in his shoulder. Using perscribed pain meds and muscle relaxers but doesnt seem to be a whole lot better yet. I was trying to figure out what might have caused this so we could correct the diet. Came across an article that suggested high vit d level might be the cause. Will be checking vit d level this week.

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

Amyloidosis is actually under diagnosed so just wondering. I am long term dialysis patient and recently diagnosed. Just thinking aloud. Hope things get better. Blessings

[CKDnomore3953 in reply to KidneyCoach]

Hi Kidney Coach, My older sister has AL Amyloidosis which has affected many of her internal organs. There are several Amyloidosis treatment centers around the country, Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, The City of Hope, and UCSD all have Amyloidosis treatment centers. It took a couple of years for her doctors to diagnose Amyloidosis since it has symptoms similar to other diseases. I wish you well on your treatment journey.

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador in reply to CKDnomore3953]

Mine is caused by long-term hemodialysis (20 years). It will continue for the rest of my life. There is little treatment options, but thank you. Blessings

[unknownunknown]

Thank u. I'm sorry for your situation and hope it improves. I've never heard of amyloidosis so I looked into it. Symptoms are not quite what my hubby has. Blessings back to you. Have a great day! and to everyone that reads this as life is hard sometimes.

[Blackknight1989]

Lay off Vit D unless diagnosed with low and prescribed by a doc. Be super careful with cortisone shots given generally. You didn’t say if the shots were in the joint or just a general shot to the body. Cortisone will zap the kidneys as well. Not as harmful in the joint but still not the best situation to have ongoing shots.

I am CKD 4 and have been for 26 years. Also have severe osteoarthritis in most every joint. 2 knee replacements, 2 hip replacements and 2 ankle fusions from 2003 to 2014, age 36-47. Docs want to fuse and rod L3-S1 and C1-C6. No more joint operations for me unless it is life or death. 18 surgeries in 16 years is plenty. My point is I have tried all sorts of ways to manage my pain in the joints I need fixed or replaced so I am familiar with what your husband is going through with the orthopedic issues. If interested, I manage pain with ice, heat and Tylenol only. Had all the types of orthopedic pain management and spent 3 plus years on 80mg OxyContin. Injections got to the point they no longer helped. OxyContin was just too much to use it daily. I couldn’t stand being zonked and out of my head all the time. Plus, not good for the CKD so just the ice, heat and Tylenol for me!