Hi,
I have Stage 4 CKD. GFR 26. Wondering if anyone else in here use Farxiga or Jardiance for their CKD? and if it has helped in any way?
Also, with GFR of 26, which of these 2 meds is more beneficial? I read somewhere that Jardiance cannot be used in patients <30 GFR. But Farxiga not for patients <25.
Thanks in advance!
Indy49
Thia is what Drugs.com has to say about Jardiance and eGFR under 30. It is not recommended "to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have severe kidney problems (if their eGFR is less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2)." or if "on dialysis" I've been on Jardiance since late January, and it seems to help the proteinuria.
My husband was down to 3 b and put on Farxiga. It improved his GFR immensely and continues to help with stable sugars.
Could I ask if Faxiga increased your husbands GFR or stabilised it? If it increased it by how much?
He went from 42 to 59 and runs now around 57.
How long before your husband saw an increase in GFR? I started Farxiga in mid May after nephrologist saw increased protein urea in the past few blood tests. A test done a week or so after Farxiga showed increased creatinine and lower GFR. Nephrologist said it is normal to see elevated creatinine initially. Next blood test will be 3rd week of Aug.
I do not remember how long exactly but it was months. BTW, his protein is now minimal, and our Nephrologist has decided she only needs to see him once a year.
Thank you! That sounds hopeful. I should just keep taking it and see how it goes.
farxiga for some is really beneficial, but for me it is not. Pls monitor your next blood test or creatinine on your next test if it continue to increase. I started taking farxiga for diabetes in Nov’22 until Jun’23, and my creatinine rose from 90 to 120 over that period! My Nephro took me off, and put me on metformin and no red meat diet…after 1 month, praise God, my creatinine was down to 65🙏 i hope yours will get down, because initially they say it will increase and later taper down. Many says Farxiga is good for the kidney and the heart…
the FDA label for Jardiance says not to initiate if eGFR is under 45 and to discontinue Jardiance is eGFR is persistently below 45. I was just put on Jardiance a week maybe 2 weeks ago. my eGFR is only 46-48. so we'll see how long I stay on it (I also take Metformin)
I’ve tried both, Farxiga made me extremely tired, and Jardiance killed my gfr to 15.
I've been on Farxiga for 1.5 years. My eGFR was at 18. As of yesterday it's 48. Plus I've lost 18#.I've been on a renal diet for 5 years now and in 2018 my hematologist wanted to know who was following my kidney disease because my hemoglobin (Hgb) was 9 and I was on Procrit injections plus my eGFR was at 18. My eGFR jumped up & down with low Hgb. During surgery Hgb dropped to 6.6 in 2021 and eGFR was from 18 to 30's.
Last year at beginning of year my eGFR started dropping and I begged PCP to order Farxiga. Copay was $9000 to start and I couldn't afford it. I contacted Astrazentica for a grant and was accepted. I've had 2 grants now even though the copay dropped to $900/month. I still can't afford it. Go to farxiga.com/
Apply for their grant. You sign top portion and your doctor fills out RX information then PCP sends to Astrazentica.
Farxiga years ago was only for diabetics. But soon Astrazentica found out it cured kidney disease.
I went from stage 1 to stage 4 in 48 years. At stage 4 I started Farxiga. I'm close to stage 2 now. I believe in Farxiga wholeheartedly. I was never on Jardiance. That came out as a cure after I started Farxiga.
My nephrologist is behind Farxiga's use because I have other CKD factors that affect my kidneys. My nephrologist put me on a renal diet, and has changed my hypertension medicine. A side effect of Farxiga is weight loss. I gained lots of weight after surgery I could lose. Now I'm losing weight.
Happy for you and your results. As I mentioned I started Farxiga in May 2023 and immediate test results showed drop in protein urea but increased creatinine. Consequently I am now stage 4. Haven’t seen any weight reduction so far, but I am not a diabetic.
I'm not a diabetic. I was born with 2 pancreases which were surgically made into one. I changed my diet at age 27. I'm 72 now. I stopped eating red meat because the pancreas and kidneys can't digest it; dairy products & carbonated beverages cause kidney stones: I use Mrs. Dash to spice up food and watch my sodium intake; I steer away from potassium, phosphorus, calcium that means no more banana's, & avocados for me; I watch my blood pressure since it started getting high in 2001 after broken neck. But with kidney disease twice I've had extreme BP levels with retained fluids. I take Aldactone for fluid retention which also lowers my BP. I'm only on it prn(as needed). My creatinine is decreasing my BUN is normal first time in my life. A lot has to do with my renal diet. I'm allowed 120 oz of water daily.
I was stage 4. I pray you will be like me and increase your eGFR. Have patience. Keep an eye on your Hgb also. And don't ever give up hope.
R
Thank you for your encouraging post. I have been on a low protein diet generally for the last 2 years and since Dec 2022 have been on mostly vegan diet with non vegetarian only when I am traveling and no choice.
just wondering what sort of renal diet your neph put you on ?? mine does not seem to know much about diet and has just given me the basic info that we probably all have been told. limit salt and processed food , drink a liter and a half of water every day, everything else i learned from davita , renal tracker or other internet sites. there seem to be a lot of varying opinions out there on the web. so i eat based on my labs.
I will be fully truthful now. I'm a Trauma Educator. I taught wound care, Case Management, nutrition & have been a medical researcher for 40+ years. I found out by DNA testing in 1978 I may develop polycystic kidney disease. My life changed then. I was 27 years old with CKD. I'm 72 now. No miracle cures.My nephrologist & I are on peer level. She gave me 4 posters on sodium, potassium, phosphorus & calcium calories and nutritional values. I don't eat those items unless under 100mg worth total. On other 2 posters are up to 60 protein grams of foods & beverages. I'm on a 2000mg/2gram diet with up to 60 grams of protein. Nephrologist & I sat for an hour going over what not to eat or drink). Here's some of what's not on my diet:
(Banana's, avocadoes, ice cream, dairy milk, nor any plant or legume milk, no dark green veggies including cauliflower which is considered green💚, broccoli, spinach, kale, green beans, peas, corn which is yellow 🟡, frozen mixed veggies, guacamole, caffeine drinks or chocolate, etc)
Dairy products cause kidney stones which ruin the inner lining of your kidneys.
Carbonated beverages cause kidney stones.
Caffeine raises your blood pressure, as does NaCl, commonly known as sodium chloride. Sea salt which is also Kosher salt is not allowed. Stay away from spicy, greasy, fried foods.
No Red Meat. Your pancreas and kidneys can't digest red meat. Because of digestion you may develop gastroparesis. It's when your stomach stops digesting your food and you feel bloated, short of breath, your abdomen may be larger than normal, esp in your stomach. The red meat is not digested more after you think you chewed it all up. The hydrochloric acid aka HCL doesn't work well on red meat to help it digest, like with other foods.
Stop drinking ETOH aka drinking alcohol: beer, whiskey, gin, vodka etc. I quit at age 21 from pancreatitis. Worse pain than gastroparesis or giving birth. I'm talking from my own experience not something I read in a journal or listened to from Dr. Quack on YouTube.
Btw, Quack stands for a medical professional who slept through anatomy & physiology in medical or nursing school. I've taught many medical professionals who can learn more from a child who is smarter.
Your parathyroids behind and low from your thyroids work on your kidneys, so you have to watch your PTH & Thyroid levels. Sodium Bicarb is taken to help the parathyroids do its job. It also is used for upset stomach or even GERD. Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disorder. That's when too much acid creeps up your throat into your mouth via esophagus. Too much HCL acid can destroy the lining of your esophagus. H.Pylori is the infection all that acid causes. Helicobacter Pylori is the full name of the infection. Be sure to discuss about your parathyroids with your nephrologist, endocrinologist or PCP to make sure you do or don't need sodium bicarbonate.
There are way too many Dr. Quacks on YouTube preaching different diets for Kidney, Thyroid & Parathyroids Diseases, Not all are real doctors, chiropractors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants.
Add some exercise. I have to do sofa, chair, toilet exercises. My toilet is surrounded by a walker with tennis balls attached. I can sit on toilet and hold the walker bars to raise legs, do abdomen crunches, and run in place. Legs moving up & down fast.
If I have energy I can dance around the house to my favorite musician, Carlos Santana. The music gives me energy to move.
Sit on sofa, feet on ground, cross arms and bend over to touch arms to knees 10 times, then stop & repeat as often as you can or like.
I do not take iron supplements because I do not have iron deficiency anemia. My anemia started at birth from kidney disease. The awful tasting liquid as a child never worked, nor have any pills. I've had a years supply of Epocrit injections and no longer need them after a hemoglobin level of 6.6 plus 6 pints of blood.
It's very crucial to keep up to date with your lab work. Make sure your doctors make a habit of doing blood work. And NOT just annually. Every 3 months or sooner. Keep in mind your eGFR and levels I write about. Don't quit your diet just because your eGFR rises up.
Very important fact, Farxiga states if you have polycystic kidney disease, don't take Farxiga, it will not work. Before making up your mind, contact Astrazentica and your nephrologist plus PCP. Are you willing to take that chance? I can't decide for you. I'm just advising on nutrition, exercise and extra info.
R
any side effect from farxiga?
I've lost 20# as a side effect. My one side effect is gastroparesis but it only stays about a week.
Both male & female can get yeast infections from it. Glucose levels may be slightly higher on blood test. Dehydration (ask your physician about amount of water to drink daily) dizziness, weight loss, excessive sweating, gastroparesis, constipation, UTI.
My eGFR was 18 when I started Farxiga. 18 is the lowest starting point, not 25. I'm now at 48 as of 2 days ago. I'm not a candidate for Jardiance because pancreatitis is a severe adverse reaction and I'm not up to pancreatitis anymore. I don't get it on Farxiga.
I believe the FDA label says Jardiance is not for those who have an eGFR below 45 or 46 on a regular basis, so stage 3B
Goodrx in professional part suggests asking physician about dosing per Astrazeneca. It's your doctors discretion when to start prescribing the medication. Less than 25 eGFR is for patients who are already on Farxiga or if patients' eGFR is uncontrollable with diet or CKD. Goodrx is a good resource however you have to research the whole paragraph because it's noted that your physician makes the decision on when to prescribe it. Originally it started at eGFR of 18 with Farxiga 10mg daily. Then after 40 eGFR Farxiga decreased to 5mg. Now the dose is to stay on Farxiga 10mg daily after eGFR of 40.
Go to Astrazeneca.com to find newer information which includes lowering doses for eGFR below 25.
I'm controlling my eGFR with Farxiga and my strict renal diet. I use Stevia instead of sugar to sweet drinks or food. Most times I use nothing.
To prevent constipation and help with digestion from gastroparesis I eat 3 packs daily of Metamucil thin biscuits. It prevents constipation for me and my husband. 2 tiny biscuits TID or 3x daily. The liquid tastes disgusting to me. And the biscuits taste great. Both liquid & biscuits help control cholesterol also.
My water Rx daily is a minimum of 120oz of water. I dehydrate quickly so I stay in AC at home or in car with AC blasting. Your physician will decide how much water intake you need. Plus it helps to increase your eGFR.
My creatinine 4 years & longer ago was over 2.0 now it's around 1.21 getting closer to normal. This past 2 months my BUN has been normal.
Unfortunately I have hypothyroidism & hyperparathyroidism at same time so I have to stick to my strict diet. Two days ago my sodium bicarbonate was decreased to 1-2 tablets daily instead up to 3 tabs because it increases BP from the sodium in it. But it stops my GERD. Protonix causes kidney disease so I stopped taking that 6 years ago.
Meds I gave up:
Protonix
Demerol
NSAIDS incl baby aspirin
Calcium Channel Blockers
Beta Blockers
And now 1 tab daily of Sodium Bicarbonate
Edibles & Fluids I gave up:
Red Meat which is beef/bovine
Alcohol I gave up in 1971. Pancreatitis pain is awful.
Caffeine
Carbonated Drinks
Coffee
Pop/Soda even decaf because of carbonation.
Milk including dairy & plant
Yogurt
Citrus of any kind. Fruit or Crystal Light
Belly Lox/Smoked Salmon. Overly salted
[{Chocolate (Carob is like chocolate without the caffeine. It tastes similar to chocolate if you're a chocolate addict like me) I do keep chocolate Hershey bars in house in case my blood sugar drops as I get hypoglycemic at times if I can't eat because of gastroparesis. I suck on a square or two of Hershey bar. I was only kid in grammar school allowed to carry a candy bar in case of feeling faint.]}
No green veggies. Cabbage & Cauliflower are considered to be green veggies. So are cucumbers. Definitely no broccoli or kale.
No seeded food. Like Whole wheat, oatmeal, rye bread with seeds. Strawberries. Farmers are now breeding seedless strawberries here in Florida.
Avocados & Bananas (There went my smoothies)
Spicy, fried or greasy foods.
Sounds like a boring diet. It's not. There are lots of ways to cook with non salt spices.
Eggs for protein if you keep to a minimum. I can eat 3 daily with Mrs. Dash spices.
Fish, Skinless Chicken, Beefless Stew
Blueberries are a must, freshly picked. High in fiber too. Great for constipation.
I mostly drink water, but I will drink decaf tea bags left in water bottles. One teabag per bottle. We have to buy bottled water as our faucet water is loaded with calcium. However if you decide to do the same, check to make sure on labels for calcium content in water. Some brands add calcium.
My diet isn't just for renal. I watch what I eat because of hypothyroidism & hyperparathyroidism, plus pancreatitis.
I take Biotin 10,000 IU daily for Levothyroxine Hair Loss. It's also called Vitamin B7. Over the counter.
Vitamin D for hyperparathyroidism & Osteopenia. Rx by nephrologist & orthopedic surgeon. OTC. by dose requested.
Vitamins B12, 10,000 mcg & B-Complex for Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. It stops bumps on tongue & lips from spicy food that the pancreas can't digest well. Or foods that digestive enzymes don't help.
If you do have any of same problems I have.....talk to your nephrologist or PCP before starting any OTC supplements or Rx meds.
I adhere to everything above with all of my physicians knowledge..
And when using Goodrx, read the professional pages, not the patients pages. You get information that is given to medical professionals, that is not given to patients.
Anyone being treated with Farxiga? Looking for feedback please!
Farxiga and Kidney Disease
More good news in research: Clinical trials show dramatic results for Farxiga® in treating CKD
