Covid vaccine and CKD: The covid and flu... - Kidney Disease

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Covid vaccine and CKD

JoBecca profile image
31 Replies

The covid and flu vaccines seem to have worsened my GFR and Creatinine. I have CKD Stage 3a/3bHas anyone had this experience?

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JoBecca
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31 Replies
Marvin8 profile image
Marvin8

I've received all vaccines and boosters with no eGFR effects.

Vcr1406 profile image
Vcr1406 in reply to Marvin8

I had some issues with my gfr before I took the vaccines. There is no conclusive evidence that the vaccines cause gfr to worsen. It’s like everything else in life. It’s a crap shoot. I personally would rather be vaccinated than have a bad case of Covid. I had a very mild case last December. I think it would have been worse had I not been vaccinated. Pick your poison, baby. You are gonna get something before you die.

Marvin8 profile image
Marvin8 in reply to Vcr1406

Exactamundo. I am just one data point, nothing more and nothing less. I caught Covid from a gym employee at the end of last December (Omicron wave, of course). I was wearing an N95 PLUS a surgical mask at the time and I got it anyway. I had two horrible days where I thought I'd have to go to the hospital, but paxlovid pulled me through.

orangecity41 profile image
orangecity41NKF Ambassador in reply to Vcr1406

I agree, possibly Covid would do more damage to kidneys than the vaccine. The vaccine did not effect my eGFR either.

Tuolumne profile image
Tuolumne

I haven't had any problems either.

kellyscats1 profile image
kellyscats1 in reply to Tuolumne

I have had all boosters and flu shot and did not change my egfr

userotc profile image
userotc

As I recall, others on this forum have indeed reported worse CKD test results following covid vaccination. See also below.

Sadly, there appears to be no positive, relevant scientific evidence for CKD patients re the vaccine. As my mum is also CKD3, I undertook significant research ages ago and also queried it more recently with NKF. My brief summary includes:

1. "There is no information about the safety of the vaccine specific to people with kidney disease or who are on dialysis" (quote direct from 1st link below). This is also indicated from a scientific study (2nd link below) which sadly also states "After vaccination, there were a few reported cases of relapse or de novo glomerulonephritis, and acute transplant rejection...".

2. There is no scientific evidence of vaccine benefit for CKD patients. I make this conclusion after I contacted NKF directly following another post on this forum from an NKF representative (3rd link below) linking podcasts that suggest it is beneficial - but without evidence. My email to NKF requesting independent, scientific evidence was on 26/10/22 and I chased them on 26/11/22. With no replies received, it must be assumed there is no relevant evidence.

kidneyfund.org/living-kidne...

sciencedirect.com/science/a...

healthunlocked.com/nkf-ckd/...

barbara55109 profile image
barbara55109 in reply to userotc

This is simply not true. Vaccines prevent serious disease or more serious impacts of communicable diseases. Those of us with CKD, especially those of us on dialysis, are impacted much worse by communicable diseases than health people. I got COVID this summer, after 2 vaccines and 2 boosters. If I'd caught it at the beginning, before the vaccines were available, I'm sure I'd be dead right now. My ability to fight communicable diseases and infections is very compromised. I catch things easier than most and suffer more impacts and side effects than most. I'm desperately trying to stay alive. I am only 60 and am not ready to go. I would have died before 30 without access to modern medicine. While there is no data to show my COVID vaccines and booster specifically saved my life, the worldwide data is clear. People with compromised immune systems are more likely to catch and suffer and die without vaccines than with them.

Marvin8 profile image
Marvin8 in reply to barbara55109

Barbara, perhaps I'm wrong, but I interpret USEROTC's comments as referring to whether vaccines hurt or help eGFR long term, not whether vaccines in general are good or bad. As for covid, I think that any CKD patient who isn't a transplant recipient needs to have their head examined if they eschew vaccinations.

userotc profile image
userotc in reply to Marvin8

Marvin, yes youre completely correct and Barbara misinterpreted my message. I was not being anti-vax. Separately or privately I can present my summary on the vaccine (+ and -) generally, with scientific evidence.But my point is there clearly and sadly seems to be NO scientific evidence specifically for CVD. So advice from relevant organisations eg NKF, that state it is beneficial for all CKD patients could effectively be deemed as misinformation.

I welcome any independent, scientific evidence (as opposed to personal or organisation views) on its safety and benefits for CKD.

userotc profile image
userotc in reply to barbara55109

Please see my reply to Marvin if you require further clarity.

Bet117 profile image
Bet117NKF Ambassador

Took all vaccines and flu shot with no adverse effects or changes in kidney function. Followed instructions to hydrate prior and after.

Angel1960 profile image
Angel1960

This is interesting. Having previously had no issues with my kidneys I was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome after my last vaccination. So far no cause has been found and things appear to be settling although I continue to have high BP (in the past its always been on the low side) and I am taking diuretics to reduce swellings.

PecanSandie profile image
PecanSandie

Correlation does not imply causation.

Bassetmommer profile image
BassetmommerNKF Ambassador

Had my two shots and no impact. Matter of fact GFR went up a couple of points later. Had COViD in October. Have not had labs to see if anything has changed.

This about having the shots that is important is that it does not guarantee you won't get Covid of some kind. But as my doctor explained, the outcome will be much better.

Pontios profile image
Pontios

I am stage 4 and have had the vaccine and all boosters, I believe five shots in total, and no effect on eGFR. I had Covid after being immunised and it was very mild which I attribute to the fact that I was vaccinated.

horsie63 profile image
horsie63

I've had no detrimental effects from the vaccines or the boosters. I did get the BA5 version and got sick as hell but it would have been worse without the vaccines and getting monoclonal antibodies. I'm all for people selecting not to get either vaccines but I'm totally against sick people coughing all over the place. While masks weren't 100% effective they sure cut down on someone else spreading their germs on me. If your sick stay home.

allene7 profile image
allene7

Had covid a little over a year ago, it nearly killed me but obviously I made it that made my whole entire system go crazy, but I recovered. I've had the flu shot and no issues.

Blackknight1989 profile image
Blackknight1989

I have not been vaccinated. The current vaccines are STILL experimental as no human trials have been done. The efficacy of the current vaccine is not longer than a few weeks if that, the recommended to get 3/4/5 doses and be revaccinated every 6 months (current guidance from the CDC in the US, I haven’t looked at the NIH site to see the current guidance for Great Britain). Additionally, the long list of life threatening side effects caused by the vaccine is horrifying. The increased adult death rate, especially in those 40 or younger, the need to come up with a term for physicians, politicians and morticians to use to classify an adult death with no clear cause except for sudden cardiac failure that leaves no trace nor can any indication of heart arrhythmia especially one so severe that it stops the heart and kills almost instantaneously (SADS)

The main stream media wants you to believe this is NOT related to the vaccine or to COVID in any way. However, if you do your own research it has only been a phenomenon since the vaccine. That is prior to the pandemic there was no such thing as SADS. Post pandemic it’s so common nearly 1-20 cardiac events are now with no explanations or evidence in the body of any heart issue. Therefore, much like SIDS the death is a total mystery.

But, I digress. The current COVID vaccine is for most of us only a potential risk with almost no benefit. Since the release of the “NEW AND IMPROVED” vaccine several independent studies in multiple countries have all determined the efficacy is measured in days not months. In short nearly 30 studies have determined that the vaccine offered almost no protection from the current variant and none to any additional mutations. New research has determined that nearly 99.5% of all COVID deaths (true COVID deaths not died from cancer but had COVID when passed, BS) occurred in those over 70 with 6, yes 6, comorbities. This was just outline by Dr. Scott Atlas on CSPAN just Monday of this week. So COVID is not the killer they made it out to be. The use of fear was for one purpose to make you vaccinate. The vaccine like surgical masks and social distancing do NOTHING to protect from either transmission, infection nor severity. The Spike protein aided by mRNA technology is a vaccine inflammation inducing killer responsible for several horrible side effects like blood clots, brain fog, myocarditis, pericarditis, emboli, lung inflammation, and many others. If it is that harmful to the body in general it is not a leap to say it can be extremely bad for the kidneys in patients with CKD.

I have all the studies and research to back the facts stated in this post. Everyday a shocking new piece of information about the corrupt national healths agencies and the “doctors” making policy there come to light. If you want the published and peer reviewed studies, the white papers written to outline the corruption and lies or the internal documents from Pfizer and Moderna, just ask I can link them. I encourage you to do your own research though because it is too easy even now to dismiss someone like me and my simple repost of the FACTS known and discovered since the shameful actions of those that are trusted to care for the best interest and best health of the country’s population. I have no doubt MOST who have read this have smiled and shaken their head in contempt because that’s is what you were trained to do almost 2 years ago….I’m just a dumb southern old Trump lover who knows nothing and deserves to catch COVID and die. Well I am not Einstein but I’m not dumb, I am not quite old enough to be old, Trump is the narcissist, bigoted, misogynist, egotist who should be in jail. However, I must proudly own being a Southerner, as I have lived in the south nearly all my life (save 4 years in New York State and 1 year in DC).

So if in need of the supporting evidence let me know but I must warn you, it is voluminous. Stay away from the vaccine (IMHO), until it is no longer experimental and it no longer uses the poisonous Spike Protein to induce an immune response. As always this is only my observations and opinion. I am not a doctor nor am I in the medical field. Therefore, this should not be considered medical advice nor should you use it in any way to decide upon your chosen path of treatment. Continuing, I would suggest that you visit the MD of your choosing in order to make decisions regarding care, treatment, or use of the vaccine. Finally, as always, I wish you my best in your journey with you illness. I pray only fair weather and following seas for your path the rest of your living years.

tonyng42 profile image
tonyng42 in reply to Blackknight1989

probably should state at the very top of your post that YOU ARE NOT A DOCTOR.

Blackknight1989 profile image
Blackknight1989 in reply to tonyng42

My apologies for the misunderstanding. I do post frequently on this site and state several times that I only offer my opinions and I am not qualified to offer medical advice. Most if not all who use this site are not physicians so it is normally a given that we are not medical professionals. Nonetheless, I should have made it clearer in the beginning of this post I am not a doctor or medical professional. I appreciate the feedback and apologize again for the confusion. My best to you and others both with your medical challenges and in understanding the new research coming almost daily on the mRNA technology and spike protein issues that are confusing.

Marypod profile image
Marypod in reply to Blackknight1989

after my third vaccine I developed ckd I was perfectly fine before it and gave blood tests to prove it but I can never prove it

unknownunknown profile image
unknownunknown in reply to Blackknight1989

I would like links to your research papers, thank you. Besides getting your doctors opinion everyone should do their own research with EVERY "treatment" (medical or otherwise) that goes in their body as you know your body better than anyone. My hubby, who is in stage 4 of PKD, went to the ER for heart pain. His heart was fine but they treated him for high potassium (5.3) which dropped his sugar dangerously low nearly putting him in a coma. If we had more time to think about this and knew the side effects of the treatment they were giving him we would have declined the treatment as 5.3 potassium is pretty much his norm. Nephrologist said to keep potassium down by eating the low potassium foods and drinking lots of water.

Blackknight1989 profile image
Blackknight1989 in reply to unknownunknown

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

clinmedjournals.org/article...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Perhaps the most critical of the mRNA vaccines and a long detailed explanation of the potential risks in this study:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

I’ll post more as I run across them but these should get you started. Recent events such as the “Twitter Files,” Brix’s own words in her book, the advice given to Trump from his son-in-law and Trump’s reliance on him and a small group of his friends (all of whom are financial professionals WITHOUT health professionals knowledge) and the failures of the CDC and FDA to properly regulate the development and approval of mRNA vaccines continue to expose the massive amount of confusing and contradictory “official information” provided by formally trusted healthcare institutions and historically respected medical journals. For a detailed explanation of these failings of institutions that are supposed to protect us as a human population see the following:

gbdeclaration.org/

And

brownstone.org/

tonyng42 profile image
tonyng42

booster or vaccine? No. “Getting” Covid will as it will put stress on your kidneys.

Blackknight1989 profile image
Blackknight1989 in reply to tonyng42

The analysis of current available data regards COVID-19 and AKI or worsening of CKD is still inconclusive. There are studies showing AKI prevalence in ICU hospitalized patients but these studies highlight the incidence of AKI was similar in COVID-19 patients and other non-COVID infected patients in the ICU. Additionally other studies have shown that CKD patients who contracted COVID-19 and were not severely sick requiring ICU care or hospitalization generally suffered no ill effects from the infection on kidney function. I know the “official information” circulated by national media companies at the behest of government institutions say there is an undisputed link between infection with COVID-19 and declining kidney function but the actual medical data available in peer-reviewed studies show that there is insufficient information to back up the claim that COVID will make your CKD worse as a clinical fact.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

The effects of the vaccines on kidney function have similar results. Some studies from 2020 and 2021 indicating complete safety while newer studies and meta-analysis from 2022 indicating potential adverse effects:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Just presented as FYI and a strong but humble recommendation to do your own research and educate yourself with facts to become your own “best advocate” for your overall health. No one, not a physician, healthcare professional, WHO, NHI, CDC, FDA or well meaning significant other or friend will ever be a better spokesperson for your health especially as a CKD patient. Our disease is misunderstood, misdiagnosed and often overlooked by doctors who are even in the business of testing for CKD in their normal diagnostic procedures. You can read countless accounts here of newly diagnosed patients who are stage 3 or worse before informed by their doctors. So why would any person put total faith in any information told to you on a subject so misunderstood and misinformed. Therefore, as more information becomes available read and research. The last thing any of us want as an outcome is earlier than “normal” destruction of all kidney function requiring a decision on dialysis and being put on a potentially long wait list for a kidney transplant by a decision we made based on incomplete information or ignorant doctors or healthcare institutions. No offense and I’m not trying to be a “know-it-all,” just an advocate for becoming the smartest person in the room on your specific CKD issues and how anything prescription medication, supplement, vaccine or illness might effect your specific CKD illness.

adamsmith1776 profile image
adamsmith1776

Since they fabricated testing and even the drug companies have admitted they did not test then it is certainly a gamble and you can bet they did not do testing with CKD. It is all anecdotal at this point.

My kidney function has declined since being vaccinated. No way to prove anything, of course.

Jinkybhoy profile image
Jinkybhoy

My egfr dropped from 42 to33 after the first two Covid Vaccine shots can't prove that's what caused it but then another drop to 25 after getting the third shot of the vaccine but I also started Allopurinol for gout at the same time so again I can't say for sure what caused the third drop. I haven't got the fourth shot yet because I'm afraid of a further decline and cut back Allopurinol to every second day to see if that helps. Not the first time I've heard people say their egfr has dropped since getting the vaccine.

Blackknight1989 profile image
Blackknight1989

I had COVID, the Delta strain and the initial Omicron strain. Symptoms were mostly mild, just a longer lasting flu like illness was the effect on me. NO EFFECT ON MY EGFR. Tested on the day I was diagnosed with the first infection, tested 3 weeks ago, no effect on eGFR. The Virus CAN affect the kidneys but doesn’t in everyone.

Hippygranny profile image
Hippygranny

My egfr had been declining over 10 years or so. (After removing my right kidney due to cancer). I am currently 3B.Interestingly, the slowest decline has been over the last three years, AFTER my vaccines.

So I would say, there was no negative effect from my COVID vaccines.

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