A Catastrophe: Hello Everyone, I'm new here... - Kidney Disease

Kidney Disease

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A Catastrophe

Joe100 profile image
30 Replies

Hello Everyone,

I'm new here. A few weeks ago, I was doing pretty well. I had a GFR of about 55, and when I was super careful, even more so than usual about food, I could get my GFR up to 62. Anyway, I was pretty happy and living mostly normally. I could jog two or three kilometers two or three times a week, and I wanted to start swimming. I could handle house projects, I could teach. I played with the cat. I didn't drink coka cola, coffee, alcohol, or eat french fries cooked in oil, and I soaked potato slices for a few hours before boiling them. I drank a lot of water, 2.5 liters or more each day. All in all, I could eat most things but in moderation, even an occasional fast food hamburger or some chocolate on a holiday.

All that ended a few weeks ago. I had an infection on a finger (or something, it looked exactly like what happens when a person washes dishes too much or their hands too much.) that raised an actual bump on the finger tip. The doctor said since the finger was red, this meant there was blood there. He prescribed antibiotics. He was in a rush and wanted to get home, so he and his nurse were literally going fast. It was not late in the evening, and I was the fourth patient there that afternoon, but after spending almost an hour or more with a previous patient, for some reason he seemed to have ordered his nurse and himself to go fast. It was really bad. I reminded him in his rush that I have a serious kidney problem. I made the mistake of saying 60 GFR which he immediately took and said that means your kidneys can handle anitbiotics. Everything above 60 is fine. Shocking. So he prescribed some medicine. I asked can't you give me a cream somthing topical (that would be less dangerous than something ingested). And he offered a cream, too, but sadly it was not good either.

So I went home and researched these medicines. At least two of the three had fine print warnings about kidneys (in a foreign language because I am in Eastern Europe). I put a little of the cream on the finger (because I was worried I would lose the finger or get a blood infection), but decided to go to the doctor on Monday morning when he would be more refreshed and not in this terrible rush.

When I went back he had more energy, and perhaps was a little embarrassed by the ridiculous behaviour I experienced on the previous Friday.

He heard my concerns. I told him my GFR is not 60, but originally was 38, and often 55 and other numbers. I even said it in German (the numbers) because he speaks English, but I wanted to make sure there was no misunderstanding. Because even a child can see and realise that technically 60 may mean healthy, but it is right on the border. For whatever reason he didn't change the prescription. Maybe he really wanted to help me and there weren't good alternatives or maybe it was his ego that wouldn't countenance a change. Or maybe he didn't want to spend the few minutes to research it himself on his computer. I don't know.

At this point, I should have made an appointment at a private clinic in the neighborning town. But, I thought it might be a few days and I was increasingly worried about the conditon of my finger with the bump/swelling and the two fingers next to it that were developing similar symptoms. I thought I might lose the finger or worse. I was literally looking to see if a red streak would develop from the finger to the hand and arm.

I had read that some doctors, when confronted with a kidney patient, have to reduce dosages, so that it doesn't harm the patient, but not so reduced that it doesn't handle the problem. Since my doctor seemed to be failing me, and I was worried, and also tired from teaching and home projects and it was the end of the year with Christmas coming up, in my fear, tiredness from dealing with the doctor, and hearing or reading about no alternatives, I reduced the dose by half. I had the right idea to question my doctor, to resist and to research, but it was a mistake to try and doctor myself. I discussed this idea with my wife and she seemed supportive of it. Of course, she should have stopped me and calmly gone to the other clinic with me. I think I would have listened to her especially if she had put our coats on and insisted.

After a week of taking the medicine at half dose, my fingers did slowly get better. I didn't wash dishes and tried to keep water away from them and I put bandaids on them over the cream. I suffered too from light and other feelings in my stomach.

So, after that, I tried to return to my diet. But I noticed that now my right side was sensitive. Not painful, but tender. And for the last three weeks it stays that way. Always sensitive. Some days I would feel almost normal. I didn't like the sensitive feeling. Other days I noticed that my back kidney area almost felt congested, literally as if it could not handle the previous volume. I noticed a constant feeling of nausea, a terrible feeling, although, as stated, sometimes for hours after a meal I would feel good and normal. I tried ginger, because it is supposed to be good against nausea and for a few days it worked. I would take a small amount (I am aware one has to be careful with it) and I would pretty much feel normal. I did have the thought that what if it is just masking the real causes. After a few days of this, my stomach was getting really irritated.

Two nights ago it was so bad the nausea and headache that I was almost in tears and couldn't sleep during the night. I began to think that I am not sure that I am going to make it. I decided to do a big change in diet because it is clear there is a problem.

I didn't eat the boiled corn pasta. I stopped the ginger and reduced the bread. Instead I ate more of the cereal, apples,a reduced amount of rice bread with chicken and egg white. I tried to spread the meals out farther apart because I noticed in the past that after the food had gone through my system that by morning time when I woke up, I felt mostly normal and I ate smaller meals too trying to allow time for the food to go through my system. I finished dinner early in the evening so that digestion could take place by the time I went bed. I did have less pain, but there did seem to be alot of acid in my stomach and I had some acid reflux.

So I can report some good news. Last night I had normal sleep. I was even able to sleep on my left side. Only around 4 or 5 am this morning did I wake up. But I felt mostly good, and suffered, if anything, an empty stomach at that point. I was able to get up, make the bed and even play with the cat. I was hungry and boiled potato slices. I had a few of those with some corn pasta and some tuna. At first after eating, came some of the stomach irritation, but after a few minutes I felt pretty good and have been able to write this post here. My goal is to make sure to eat about 2000-2500 calories today. I am 56.

My current feelings: some stomach irritation but not the continual nausea thatI felt previously for days. I can feel my stomach is too acidy. My left side of the lower abodomen has some tenderness. There is less of that on the right side, almost none of that there. I have been burping too much, so perhaps I have gastritis. I often drink water but it doesn't go down as easily as it would before (the gastritis or CKD?). I have some headache. Is that an after effect of the antibiotics, or from CKD? I am not sure because I have a chronic neck cartilage problem, which if I sleep wrong on my neck or watch a movie from bed in the wrong position, I can suffer for days from that and it can make my head feel pretty strange. Also I have a chronic nasal infection and it can cause, sometimes, a headache in the front of my head. Further, my hair was brushed pretty strong the other day, The reasons for my current headache are hard to determine.

I do think that the medicine this doctor gave me hurt me. I don't know if there is or was an alternative. Of course I feel very bad about it. Thanks for hearing me.

I do think some damage has occurred. I hope none or little but only the test I will take on Monday can tell me. Please wish me luck and that the test will show no damage or minimal damage to my kidneys, and that my other organs do not have a serious problem. One thing I really feel too much of now is an acidy feeling in my throat (too much burping, too). Not nausea as before, but I think there is too much acid.

Please pray for me. If you know of any answer to reduce the tenderness on my left side, let me know. Also, are there some ways, some foods, that are kidney friendly to reduce this stomach acid? Again, thanks for hearing me.

Best Regards,

Joe

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Joe100 profile image
Joe100
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30 Replies
VeganNan profile image
VeganNan

I am new to this Joe, only diagnosed in September. I feel for you, and think it is common for us to feel the fear that we are damaging our kidneys further.

I wish you luck. It sounds like we have to take responsibility for protecting our kidneys against further damage, and diet seems to be one of the key factors.

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I am finding that most helpful.

Ann

Joe100 profile image
Joe100 in reply to VeganNan

Thank you Ann. I hope the best for you. Some good news is the headache I had went away. I had forgotten that if I read without my reading glasses it can cause that. I think I have a lot of gastritis right now, so a diet of very bland biscuits/cookies, something people often eat over here specifically for stomach upset, has helped a lot with that, along with rosehip tea (though I have not much idea if it is kidney friendly). Anyway, the goal with that is to reduce the gastritis. Initially, with a lot of bed rest, that has helped. However my stomach is still upset. I tried to eat some meat too soon. I will go back to a lot of tea and these buscuits for a few days. I still have a sensitive left side of my abdomen, and an occasional cramp there. Tomorrow I will take a test or at least it will be organised.

VeganNan profile image
VeganNan in reply to Joe100

Hope you feel better soon Joe

Joe100 profile image
Joe100 in reply to VeganNan

Thanks! I hope so, too. I was doing so well and then this. Yes, I fear the worst. The best thing would be for it all to be a bad case of gastritis, and no damage to the kidneys or anything else. I hope it is not bad and I can return to mostly normal eating habits. Eating without fear, and food that is tasty, is really one of the great joys of life. I want to be able to function mostly normally again, for myself and for my family.

Joe100 profile image
Joe100 in reply to VeganNan

Thanks Ann. I have given an update that you can find as a response to Blackknight below. If you have any questions about what I do for my diet, my normal CKD diet which seemed to work pretty well for me, just ask. I did a lot of research on it.

Ziggydoodah profile image
Ziggydoodah

Hi Joe, sorry you had to go through all that. Hopefully you are feeling a bit better now. This happened to me. I was given antibiotics by my GP. I just presumed they were OK as she knew my history. My consultant informed me they were not okay. If there is one thing I have learnt in the past 7 years of my kidney disease...question EVERYTHING!!! Do not take for granted that the medical experts know best. Research every medication etc prescribed. I wish i had known this at the start however I certainly know it now. Doctor rushing to leave for the day..who cares...your health comes first. Have you looked into leaky gut protocol, it might help with some of the stomach issues? I make my own kefir and I feel it does make a difference. Sorry i don't have much more advice to give. Didnt want to read and run. Welcome to the forum. It is one of the best places to be. Hopefully some of the knowledgeable ones will answer some of your questions. Take care.

Joe100 profile image
Joe100 in reply to Ziggydoodah

Thank you ziggydoodah. Yes, you are very right, everything should be questioned. It is sad what happened because I had a really good regimen. Some of my support, including the doctor whom I mentioned, who was the original doctor who diagnosed me, really let me down. A solid support network is absolutely necessary. If I survive this, because I don't know how bad the damage is, I will make a new protocol, one that significanlty slows down decision making, on for example a medicine, and also will have a specific, trusted consultant who understands what they are talking about. I will even include this board or one like it.

Ziggydoodah profile image
Ziggydoodah in reply to Joe100

You will survive this Joe. Its one step forward and two back with this condition. I had a really bad week last week. I.was extremely down and fed up with everything. I was given great advice by members on here. Now I'm of the mindset, its just another obstacle but I will get through it. Its OK to have bad days. Just put it down as a learning experience, then get on with trying to improve things. I know its easier said than done but you are stronger than you know.

Joe100 profile image
Joe100 in reply to Ziggydoodah

Thanks!

Joe100 profile image
Joe100 in reply to Ziggydoodah

Hi, I gave a reply that updated the situation more to Blacknight. Thanks again for your support.

renegade70 profile image
renegade70 in reply to Joe100

hi joe, i can definitely relate to your concerns especially after my diagnosis with ckd , 5 years ago. i am always super aware of my doctor's mood and behavior at a particular visit and whether what they are saying makes sense to me or whether they contradict themselves from visit to visit. also most people in the us with ckd have more than one doctor and they often times give you different advice. always question them no matter how stupid or trivial your questions may seem. thats where you have to step in and decide what makes most sense to you after doing your own research. every doctor, every person is different. however with ckd i am much more apt to listen to my nephrologist. im assuming you are in the uk ? and i am aware that things are a little different over there. hope your recent health issues are resolving. Take Care.

Joe100 profile image
Joe100 in reply to renegade70

Thanks for your advice. I agree with everything you said. I'm not in the UK, but I am in Europe. I have now seen a nephrologist. It's good to have one for advice.

TopazForests profile image
TopazForests

While doctors have had a lot of schooling and most work hard to do a good job taking care of us, it is also our responsibility to keep our health in mind. As the old joke said "what do you call the person who graduates last in his/her medical school class?" the answer: Doctor.

Especially when it comes to drugs, doctors don't know all the answers. They knew that this group of antibiotics best treat this infection. They may not know how the antibiotic reacts with other conditions or other drugs. Most will look it up in a reference drug manual. The other resource easily available to patients is to talk to your pharmacist. They do know drugs and what they interact with.

It really is up to the patient to ask questions and advocate for ourselves. Knowledge is power, use it wisely.

Joe100 profile image
Joe100 in reply to TopazForests

Yes, I agree topazforests. And I think a solid support network is also important. I mean particularly a good doctor, along with a specific kidney consultant or specialist, and of course a family member or two who have the sense, which they should have if they are the wife or husband, to take this seriously. A failure in this obviously affects not only the individual, but the whole family.

orangecity41 profile image
orangecity41NKF Ambassador in reply to TopazForests

Yes we have to advocate for our selves.

Joe100 profile image
Joe100 in reply to orangecity41

Very true!

TopazForests profile image
TopazForests

A good primary care doc who isn't afraid to refer you to a specialist is wonderful, especially when paired with good specialists.

One of my biggest fears is what I'm going to do when my PCP retires. I think that time is coming soon. She is the same age I am so I know the day is close.

Joe100 profile image
Joe100 in reply to TopazForests

I agree. The primary care doctor shouldn't be afraid to recommend you to a specialist.

Joe100 profile image
Joe100

Hi Everyone,

I'm still here and alive thankfully. I'm going to see a nephrologist. Hopefully that will give me a much better idea of what is going on. I'm also going to get some rest and be eating carefully.

Thanks for your ideas and concern. When I feel better and know more I will come back and let you know some details.

Joe

LoveChoc profile image
LoveChoc

A big part of the diagnosis is anxiety, I think. I go through phases of almost forgetting I have CKD and apart from a couple of permanent changes, go about life as normal, eating, living. Then theres a twinge or a headache or a pain and I think argh kidneys (and I know it isnt my kidneys, its my anxiety about them). I live in the UK and our docs are not pro active about CKD. I got diagnosed 2 years ago and sent on my way with a leaflet and a prescription for BP tablets and not much else. Easier said than done, but try and keep a balance between the worried bit of your mind and the bit thats saying its all ok. Wishing you well 🙂

Joe100 profile image
Joe100 in reply to LoveChoc

Thanks for the well wishes. I agree. It's difficult to know sometimes the difference between the real and the anxiety. 🙂

VeganNan profile image
VeganNan in reply to LoveChoc

This is me exactly. Think everything is kidney related now. I am also in the uk, and agree totally with what you say about Doctors not being proactive It is recorded in my medical record that I have a minor Kidney problem. I am stage 3a, to me that isn’t a minor problem, especially as there is no apparent reason why this has happened. I did get referred to a Nephrologist though, but even she seemed to play it down and said my kidneys will probably last my lifetime. Im 71 and have always been quite fit. I am reading as much as possible. Ate a plant based diet before all this, but have made a few alterations. Thank goodness for this forum

Blackknight1989 profile image
Blackknight1989

Joe I can understand your concern but IMHO, it’s much ado about (almost) nothing. I am NOT a doctor and I DO NOT profess any ability to diagnosis, recommend treatment or in any way give medical advice. Many of the “regulars” know me or of me on this site so I will spare them the normal description I usually give for my issues. Instead I’ll just pass on CKD stage 4 in 1996, 8 days later AKI, 6 months in ICU 4 months of the 6 on a vent. (or of me here which I have yet to determine whether good or bad…lol)

I have worked with newly diagnosed CKD/AKI patients both in hospital JUST after diagnosis and in prepping for dialysis several months/years after diagnosis since ‘98. Based on what I’ve observed I believe you are WAY overacting. After I was diagnosed, only then did I develop my multi-joint osteoarthritis leading to over 20 subsequent surgeries (culminating in bilateral knee replacement, bilateral hip replacements and bilateral ankle arthrodesis{fusions}). Thus all pretty serious 3/4 hour procedures that raised my eGFR from the normal 2.9/3 range to greater than 7. However within a couple of weeks I recovered to 3ish.

My point is simply if you keep doing what you do eloquently outlined in the OP (to yourself) you will worry yourself to death. If your doc or his nurse won’t slow down enough to listen to you MAKE THEM or change docs. However, to put yourself through what you articulate in the OP you will damage your kidneys due to self-imposed stress and anxiety. I do t know your age but at 60 for an eGFR that means you still have 75-90(rough estimate I’ll provide research if desired) if you kidney function remaining. MEANING, let just say for purposes of this posting you started with 1,000,000 nephrons/kidney prior to the diagnosis. At a eGFR of 55 would equal a remaining nephron count of 80%ish (5/6ths) or so. My nephron count 170,000. We are the SAME AGE, I’ll be 56 on 2/1. I have lived with stage 4 CKD and a creatine level of approximately 2.9/3 since 1996 and I have enjoyed the extra years I have been so far blessed with. STAGE 2 CKD has no symptoms. Easy enough to find look it up. If you are experiencing what you describe then it is most likely related to the infection. But all your hand ringing is worse than whether your doctors “mistake” did or didn’t don’t damage you kidneys. Thus, my concern for your mental health. The diagnosis is frightening especially they way most of us receive it late, when we may be stage 3 or worse and we really discover it sorta on our own. So I get it. BUT you are WAY too WORRIED and will damage your health if you continue to fret as you describe in the OP. Please don’t think I am in any way minimizing or dismissing your handling of the diagnosis, I am only trying to relate to you that with a eGFR of 55/60 your concerns over an antibiotic doing “irreversible” damage to your existing kidney function is WAY overblown.

Okay that being said I wouldn’t return to that doctor….ever. If you can’t slow them down and make them take 2 minutes to listen, they are not who you need leading your care especially if you can’t defeat the worry causing all this you relate. Also, IMHO you don’t need a nephrologist and depending on UK/US probably couldn’t see a neurologist in either country with stage 2 CKD. You are doing the right thing taking charge if your care as NO ONE will ever be a better advocate you your health than you, but you must EDUCATE yourself as most doctors won’t look at you at 56 with a eGFR of 55 (stage 2CKD) as needing any special handling. SO if the physicians won’t you must know at least as much as you GP. If you have a really talented nephrologist who is “above and beyond” not as much as he/she but more than the GP. If you educate you don’t have the excessive worry, if no excessive worry no “manifestations” of false CKD symptoms. ONLY worry about what YOU can control. All other worry and fretting is only a waste of time and energy that’ll cause more damage than any antibiotic you’ll ever take as stress and anxiety have (over the last 10/20 years) proved to be just as damaging to the body as ANYTHING you might have taken. You are also correct to employ the “Trust BUT Verify,” method to your doctor. However, that does no good if you can’t stop any potential mistakes the doctor may make. In my case the ER doctor essentially CAUSED my CKD to develop into a full blown medical emergency with more sheets of flatline EKG than I care to look at. In your case he/she MAY (NOTICE I SAY MAY) have been errant in his/her prescribing something to eradicate a much more serious problem(apparently) because you say you were “concerned about losing a finger/ers.” So let me close by asking you reflect back on how it all went down and ask yourself what would you have done different? What DO you expect from your front-line physicians? With an eGFR of 55 and a stage 2 CKD diagnosis I think maybe the doctor addressed the most pressing problem of the infection you describe as causing you to be “concerned about losing a finger.” Ill wrap up by relating my own case again. I have a FAMILY HISTORY of HBP and hyperlipemia (I think…I am adopted so I know nothing except my biological mother was a native Cherokee Indian living Bing on the reservation in NC and bio father was a graduate student at ETSU in Johnson City, TN) Nonetheless, since I have a history of both going back to age 17 that what me and my doctors have come up with, a genetic issue that causes my BP to be about 145/90 and triglycerides about 450. Additionally, I have had an issue with sever acid reflux resulting in a lot of pain since I was a teenager, 13/14. Google “Omeprazole 40 mg” and let me know how many Class-Action ESq groups you find in say the first 20 pages. Several of these “pi” litigators made their careers with this med that allows me to be pain free. Is it damageing my kidneys, I can’t say, maybe….However the trade off is I couldn’t live a normal life without it, I’d be miserable…period. SO living with CKD stage 3B or worse COULD be a daily (or hourly) disease that takes over your life. Or it could be just a bump in the road that you take in stride like soaring grocery prices or a bad break realizing HOW WE REACT to the challenges we face as opposed to how we let them control us is ULTIMATELY up to us. I think you doth worry too much. I wish you nothing but the best in your journey with this and only continued good health (maybe a vacation???)

Joe100 profile image
Joe100 in reply to Blackknight1989

Thanks for your comprehensive response.

It sounds like you are handling your situation as well as can be done and you should be commended for that.

So, here is what I think happened after getting some reports back from tests. It was December and already a stressful time for various reasons. I'm in a relatively new marriage, but I also don't get the support that is needed on this health issue. The specialist 3 years ago said I had experienced kidney failure (his words), when my kidney GFR dropped preciipitouly to 38 (from over 60) in a one month period. This is when I first heard of CKD when my GP sent me to him. I hadn't been worried about kidneys before then since I didn't even know it was a problem before that. I had begun to practically fall asleep all the time regardless of the sleep I was getting at night. He believed it was possibly due to a virus (not covid). Anyway, my wife has never taken it seriously, ever. She refused to go to the specialist with me to hear it herself. She has thought it is all made up. In fact, she doesn't believe in doctors or specialist for her own MS condition. Some of that I can understand (some skepticism, some disbelief in specialists), but then again, it is heartening to hear your loved ones show normal concern. Living in a foreign country means that takes on even more importance, if anything.

I think you were once in the Army. I'm also a former Army veteran.

Back to what happened and the tests. There was a lot of stress this year, after a prolonged 3 year court battle, which I was the one who had handle most of it. On many occasions I had said we need to go on a vacation, but my wife refused. She even refused to plan for one. So, I am well aware of the importance of vacations. Indeed, it used to be a typical line said by doctors in old movies. I have also said to her an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

In an earlier post I said I allowed myself to have some treats during holidays (no doubt too much). I also in December took the antibiotics. This combined with the stress caused what appears to be a serious case of gastritis. I went to a gastrologist and she said the same thing a week ago. But there is an addition, which is my own theory. I had IBS many years ago, several times, but I hadn't had this in maybe 10 years, and even less gastro problems with my CKD diet. Getting rid of gluten really helpe. However, I did learn at the time that gas can get trapped in the abdomen. With diverticulitis, the discomfort and pain can be similar to some of the symptoms of kidney problems. It causes discomfort in the abdomen, especially the left side and the pain even radiates to the back. I know some doctors claim that you can't feel your kidneys, but I have noticed it when I eat a food that wasn't right a tingling sensation in the back. Diverticulitis can also cause the left abdomen/side to feel tender.

I am not a doctor. So, this is just my opinion. I think it would have been preferable that I had not taken those specific medicines the doctor prescribed, and instead had found a doctor who could prescribe for me ones that were more kidney friendly and stomach friendly. The kidney specialists that I saw the other day immediately said to me when she saw the medicines, before I had even explained what had happened, "Oh, these are not good." The new test (Jan. 11) showed I had a drop of Creatinine to a level more like it was when I had the virus to 125. With the virus it had been 138. Also, the GFR was down to 53.

The nephrologists said that in any future situation like what I had, I could contact her and she would recommend medicines that were less hard on the kidneys, and I hope on my stomach.

I also had an ultrasound to check the internal organs near the stomach such as pancreas, etc. Fortunately, they didn't find any problem.

After all this, I did feel a lot better. But I noticed that there seemed to still be a problem on the left side. Eating something even close to the normal amount of corn pasta I eat, caused it to get worse. Corn causes gas, so perhaps this was contributing. Internet essays on the subject say that fiber should be reduced during a diverticulitis episode, so the blueberries I was eating may have contributed to the discomfort continuing.

I'm on an internet recommended diverticulitis diet now. First day water, next 3 days easy liquid foods for the stomach such as broth, etc, and then another 3 days of easy harder foods such as apple sauce. Then slowly add more of my usual CKD diet. If it was IBS a lot of this diet philosophy would seem to be correct as well. My mother also had gastro issues, so I think there is something to this theory of mine.

So, I do feel better. Not perfectly, but better. I will exercise because that helps these issues and many other things. I have asked my wife her holiday schedule. If she does not permit a joint vacation where we do a little travel inside the country, then I will just do it on my own for my well-being. It is not enough to simply hang around the home. Vacations really do allow for a recharge of batteries, and hopefully for better decisions when needed. I believe that if my wife and I had gone on some vacations this year, that it is quite likely that most of this wouldn't have happened. In my original post, I mentioned that I was tired. That, a lack of vacations, was a big part of the problem.

Again. Thanks for your post. It's a good thing to see that there are people here who care and do understand.

David7 profile image
David7

Dear Joe,An Over Thinking Mind can cause endless worry and distress in life. Try some Meditation along with your medication and see if things improve. I know they will.

There are many over the counter medicines for stomach acid. Talk to your pharmacist.

Wishing you All the Best!

Joe100 profile image
Joe100 in reply to David7

Hi David,

Thanks for your answer. I feel better now. I believe the NSAIDS helped promote a case of IBS, although it might have been diverticulosis/diverticulitis. Anyway, I tried a very mild diet that is supposed to help people with diverticulitis flareups, and I then slowly reintroduced normal foods. I also tried to relax and I exercised. Now I feel pretty good.

In fact. Something really odd happened. I'm not a doctor, and maybe the test results were not accurate. So, don't just copy me. Talk to a doctor first and also inform yourself. Normally, I am very careful with my diet. I changed my diet for a time. The big thing I changed was I added tomatoes, something I never eat. And I added more potatoes (boiled for 30 minutes). I got rid of sugar, like in cookies, chocolate, etc. I added joghurt sauce to some of my foods to help with digestion after the NSAIDs. I also purposefully tried to relax. I wouldn't let my abdomen stay tense. I went jogging a few times a week.

After a month of relaxation, and eating a bit differently I went and had a blood and urine test. I had a 69 GFR, a GFR far higher than my average of the last 3 years of 55, and was higher than the highest GFR I had had, maybe two years ago, which was 62, and that was only after very careful eating. Also, for the first time in my tests of three years, my creatinine level was in the normal healthy range. It really makes me wonder. I am happy with the results. I'm not sure if it was the food change, or purposefully trying to be happy.

All the best,

Joe

LisaSnow profile image
LisaSnow

I am sorry you are worried and feel anxious. Although I do not find any evidence that the antibiotics caused you the new symptoms based on your reporting. If you are still worried you should see a different doctor and try to identify the true cause of your new symptoms so they can be managed and get better. By the way all medications have POTENTIAL to cause problems to kidneys because that's how we filter out all by products. That doesn't mean if there is a warning lable (which is required by law) you will become that rare victim. Please put your mind at rest and ask another doctor to check on you. Feel better soon!

kellyscats1 profile image
kellyscats1 in reply to LisaSnow

Be your own polite and assertive advocate. Infections even in fingers needed to be treated as any infection can turn into a dradly septcemia. Unfurtulately amny antibiotics can cause gastric upset..doctors can either change antibiotics ormgive nyou something to help your stomach.

I recently had a question regarding allopurnal ans it s often common with ckd and after two bad flasres in 4 mos i needed to get on it.. after the month of steroids were complete i did a uric acid level and it was sky high..My nephrologist wanted me starting on 30 mog of allopurinal each day..Allopurinal although common can have rare life threatening consequences in some people.

a hypersensitivity isse.. but there is a lab test. wWhen i asked the nephrologist about the test he had never heard of it.. I said google it...and he did.. and ws surprised to see it readlit available and not too expensixe..I thn made the decision to see a pheumatologist for my gout as he was more iformed..my test came back negative and i see the pheumatologist next week..he will handle my gout and arthritis.. and can inject toes if needed..

Had I not done my research and brought this to the attention of my doc it wuld not have been done.

We are ultimately responsible for our own health

best of luck

Joe100 profile image
Joe100 in reply to kellyscats1

Thanks for your answer. We must be our first advocate. That is for sure.

Joe100 profile image
Joe100 in reply to LisaSnow

Thanks Lisa. I feel better now. You can read about my experience in my answer to David.

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