Can kidneys reverse?: Hi All, Any cases as... - Kidney Disease

Kidney Disease

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Can kidneys reverse?

Bangginjal profile image
19 Replies

Hi All,

Any cases as per the subject? What should we do to make it happen?

Many thanks for your kind attention.

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Bangginjal profile image
Bangginjal
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19 Replies
whats profile image
whats

The estimated GFR and creatinine can go up and down, but we're told that actual kidney disease can only get worse. There may be some temporary kinds of kidney disease, I don't know. Your eGFR will tend to go up if you are well-hydrated and haven't worked out in 24 hours at the time you get your blood test. Prednisone also seems to improve eGFR. You can find people online who claim to have a cure, but then you can find people online who will say whatever you hope to hear, usually people with something to sell. It is possible to slow the decline way down with diet and healthy habits.

userotc profile image
userotc

I can't imagine how any drug can reverse it but diet & wellbeing should offer a chance. But it probably depends how "reverse" is defined.

For example, my mum's eGFR, has gradually risen from 33 to 76 in 5 years. But she still has increasing proteinuria which we're working on

Bananas2007 profile image
Bananas2007 in reply to userotc

That's great news about her increasing GFR! Do you mind sharing what she's done to get her GFR to raise?

userotc profile image
userotc in reply to Bananas2007

Shes improved diet & wellbeing significantly in past 5y (since a nephrectomy). That includes little or no processed/more whole foods, lower carbs, protein intake down to ~0.8g/kg wt, increased water and more relaxation.

More recently, shes reduced carbs further & added cordyceps supplement to try to slow/stop proteinuria - but no success evidence there yet.

Bet117 profile image
Bet117NKF Ambassador

Good morning, Bangginjal,

In response to your questions; although there is no cure for kidney disease, through diet, exercise and medication, the goal is to stabilize it and keep it from progression.

Yes, hydration, lab spin, medication and other factors can cause you to see a fluctuation in your egfr; but look at several lab results and see it as an average.

Note your creatinine, BUN, calcium and electrolyte levels as sodium, potassium, phosphorous, as well.

Make some changes to your diet; low sodium ( 1500- 2000mg daily) no processed foods as canned soups and cold cuts, no red meats. If your potassium is normal, beans and quinoa are good plant based choices.

Additionally, add fresh or fresh frozen vegetables and fruits.

Drink plenty of water, avoid dark colas and NASID pain relievers as they are not good for the kidneys.

High blood pressure medication as Ramipril, Lisinopril or Losartan are the most commonly prescribed first line medications. They protect the kidneys, address high blood which should be controlled and work to address protein spilling. In specific cases are steroids such as prednisone assigned, but are not for every patient and kidney issue.

Remember that everyone is different and what may be suitable for one person and help, may not be for another.

It's a process to keep kidney disease from progressing but it can be done.

Below is a link to read about diet and progression which should help.

I would also make an appointment with your GP and or nephrologist and review labs, ask questions and discuss diet.

Please let us know how you are doing as we are here to support.

Bet

nephcure.org/livingwithkidn...

kidney.org/nutrition

Bangginjal profile image
Bangginjal in reply to Bet117

Thank you Bet for your response. As you may be aware of, there are some videos delivered by Doctors on YouTube who believe that kidneys can reverse by diet etc.

I noted that we could manage our kidneys by changing lifestyle with routine exercise, low carb, low protein low sodium diets and maintain our high BP. My protein number is getting higher, however my eGFR, creatine, albumin, BUN are still ok. I was wondering if this can be reversed and the cause may be due to bacteria infection and can be considered as acute instead of chronic.

I have scheduled with my specialist next week, just trying to list questions for the doctor to ask.

Cheers.

Bet117 profile image
Bet117NKF Ambassador in reply to Bangginjal

Hi Bangginjal,

Positive thinking.

Thoughts:

Review all labs with your consultant; both blood and urine; particularly those drawn or given prior and post infection to start.

Note those relating to kidney function. Creatinine, egfr, BUN, Anion Gap, Albumin, protein, Protein to Creatinine ratio as well as your calcium, and electrolyte panel.

Bring a list of all medications and supplements that you are taking to the appointment.

Make a list of questions that concern you in a notebook ask and jot down answers so that you don't leave the office without clarification. Ask if a health action plan is needed going forward.

If you want to know if this is acute or chronic and what can be done; ask.

See to it that the specialist sends a visit summary to your GP, so that you are all on the same page.

Important. As this is about you.

As far as the doctors on You Tube; they may bring some valid points and suggestions to the front as some literature; but they are a small part of the process and ideas and are not individualized to the patient.

As prior mentioned, what works for and is best for one patient, may not be so for another.

You are most definitely heading in the right direction by seeing a specialist and taking care of this. We are our best advocates.

Take Care. Let us know the outcome.

Bet

pheebee profile image
pheebee in reply to Bet117

Yes, if it's an acute kidney injury the kidneys can improve once the cause has been resolved.

Bet117 profile image
Bet117NKF Ambassador in reply to pheebee

Without a doubt. At this point, the nephrologist has to test and see what's going on.

chicablue profile image
chicablue

Hi! According to the MD's, no but: I went from stage 4 back to stage 3 by losing 15 lbs

Bangginjal profile image
Bangginjal

It seems like my protein issue due to my autoimmune disorder. My ANA came back positive, so I might have Lupus Nephritis.

I am sad and confused, male 47 yo.

Bet117 profile image
Bet117NKF Ambassador in reply to Bangginjal

Bangginjal,

Your feelings of sadness, fear and confusion are very normal when you get unexpected news. I am sure that just about every member of this community has felt as you have and still may.

Yes, the positive ANA test does indicate an autoimmune disorder, but until your doctor tells you that Lupus or anything else as a cause of your protein spilling, then don't go there .

Again, your doctor is being thorough as to determine the exact cause of the spilling and therefore will be able to put together a Health Care plan designed to your individual needs.

I have Membraneous Nephropathy which is an autoimmune kidney disorder as well as Hashimotos Hypo Thyroid which is autoimmune based.

This is all a process to identify if the spilling is autoimmune and what the cause could be. I was tested for Lupus among other things; negative.

I am idiopathic, or no found reason. One of my friends in the community has IGA Nephropathy, which is autoimmune. Lupus is not the root.

My thought is establish a medical team who communicates well with both you and other each other, so no confusion about medications; as the options are different than CKD; if you need them as well as food choices etc. to try to get the spilling down and keep this from progressing.

Let the medical team do it's job.

My diagnosis was six years ago and hers was nine.

Both of us watch what we eat; especially consumption of foods which initiate inflammation such as sugar as that can cause an autoimmune flare- up and have been doing fine.

Once you are diagnosed we will be happy to share individual thoughts and ideas as we will know exactly what we are dealing with. Things will work out.

In the meantime, please seek love and support from family, friends. Think positive as stress ; as much as it is natural at this point is

neither healthy or productive.

Just remember that most importantly you are addressing this to get it properly treated.

Until your doctor says it's so; it isn't.

You are not alone; always feel free to reach out or send a private chat message.

Take Care of yourself..

Bet

Bangginjal profile image
Bangginjal in reply to Bet117

Thank you so much Bet, i will see my Neph on this Tuesday, we will see. And I am very positive that I can handle this, God’s will.

Bet117 profile image
Bet117NKF Ambassador in reply to Bangginjal

Bangginjal,

I know that this is mind boggling and frightening. Take some deep breaths and a walk every so often and let your family support you.

It's not easy but you can handle this! You are not alone! Most importantly, you are addressing the situation and will soon have some answers and a health care plan. It's a process.

Please reach out at any time as we are happy to walk with you and reach back.

Bet

Bangginjal profile image
Bangginjal in reply to Bet117

I just read your old post and would like to ask you. “I was also put on rouvastatin 5mg for cholesterol in September of 2016 and asked to be removed from it as it causes Proteinuria.”

I am on Rosuvastatin and just increased couple days ago from 10 to 20 MG due to my trigerserin was elevated. My cholesterol is still ok and my LDL. This was requested by my Cardiologist.

Is it true that rosuvastatin causes Proteinuria? Should I stop it?

Bet117 profile image
Bet117NKF Ambassador in reply to Bangginjal

Hi Bangginjal,

In response to your question; yes I had an issue with Rosuvastatin and Atrouvastatin at low doses and was found to be allergic. I was also having severe back pain among other things. More when I was switched to the Atrouvastatin.

My pharmacist; chemist alerted me to the fact that Rosuvastatin can cause proteinuria.

I looked it up on Drugs.com as well as the site from the company. Take a look. Great APP or Google the drug.

My personal concern at the time was that I had been spilling protein prior to being given the statin for slightly elevated cholesterol and was the drug escalating the proteinuria issue.

The prescribing endocrinologist at the time refused to listen to me and believe that I was in pain; forget connected to my protein spilling ; despite the fact that I brought the data.

He agreed to temporarily take me off the Atrouvastatin and wanted to put me back on the Rosuvastatin in several weeks.

My GP got a look at me and did her work. She found the allergy. He is no longer on my medical team. I have no cardiology issues and am on alternatives put together by my GP and nephrologist.

If you are concerned ask about Zetia or Ezetimibe as an alternative. Several community members are on it and with diet have had success.

Bear in mind that every patient is different and responds to me differently to medication; why some drugs are not for everyone.

It's what's best for your medical situation.

Please don't take yourself off the medication without a discussion with either the prescribing doctor or your GP.

Reach out and let me know how you are doing.

Again; this is all a process and you are on the path to finding answers. That's what counts.

Hang in there.

Bet

Bangginjal profile image
Bangginjal in reply to Bet117

Thank you so much Bet for the prompt response and the info, really appreciated.

I am thinking the same that probably my proteinuria due to the statin drugs. My protein issue was found in 2012 after a 24 hr urine assessment and the Neph said it was mild and no further action defined.

In 2017, i had general medical check up, and on the report it did not find any proteinuria issue. But 3 months later i had to redo it and they found the protein in urine. I started taking statin since 2016 maybe 2017, and probably this is the case.

My Cholesterol has been normal, but my trigelesterin and HDL have been almost always off. I am not OB but little bit overweight, BMI now is 27. My BP now under-control.

I should be able to lower my trigerserine by exercise and diet, so I might not need the statin anymore or change it with the better drugs. I think, if I can manage the protein, my kidneys will not deteriorate more. My egfr was 98, creatine and BUN were normal. (Last week test). I will discuss with my Neph.

Bet117 profile image
Bet117NKF Ambassador in reply to Bangginjal

Bangginjal,

No thanks ever needed.

See what your nephrologist says when you speak to him/ her.

Ask if the Rouvastatin may be playing a role in your protein spilling or could there be another reason. It may be or may not.

Remember that every patient is different and responds to medication differently.

List all of your questions and concerns in a small notebook and bring them with you to the appointment.

Make sure that your concerns are heard and allow him/ her to run their specific labs and set up health action plan for you.

Also, request that your GP and Cardiologist receive copies of your labs and visit summary so that everyone is on the same page.

I know that it's frustrating, but you will have answers soon.

Sit tight and let us know the outcome.

Bet

Blackknight1989 profile image
Blackknight1989

Depends on your definition of reversal, the medical answer is no.

Kidneys are made up of nephrons and we are all born with only a certain amount of those. If you have CKD some of those nephrons have been destroyed. If you have CKD stage IV or V most all of those nephrons have been destroyed. Kidney nephrons do not regenerate like liver cells, or other human cells, do. Currently there is no medical science that can make kidney nephrons regenerate although research is increasing in using stem cells to regenerate or grow new nephrons.

Can you take proactive steps to improve your eGFR and UCAR or to cut down proteinuria? Absolutely.

If links about the medical answer I provide are needed please let me know and I will provide.

Just my opinion.

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