eGFR moving up???

[barbara55109]

My eGFR first registered below "normal" February 2018. But it wasn't until January 2020 that I saw the CKD diagnosis on my chart. By then I was at eGFR of 28 and stage 4. Then July 2020 I had a dehydration crisis and ended up with an eGFR of 7. My primary care Dr. assumed it was from T2D. But I still don't think it is. I lost my colon in 1993 and have a high output ileostomy and frequent dehydration. I don't have any T2 side effects, no protein in my urine, glucose in good control. My current A1C isn't even in the T2 range anymore.

I had to lose weight to get on the transplant list. I was on Ozempic and then Wegovy for over a year. I lost enough to get on the list, but started regaining. So July 2023 I switched to Mourjaro (MJ.) It takes 6 months to get up to the full dose. Yesterday I had new labs. My eGFR is 30! HUH! I haven't been at 30 for 4+ years.

The literature is confusing, mainly because MJ is so new. While there are CKD warnings on the medication, there are also studies showing is slows CKD progression. I couldn't find anything about improving CKD. I've gained 8 points. I was at 22 before starting MJ. I know small fluctuations are normal, but 8 points? Those four upward dots at the end are all after I started MJ.

Meanwhile, the MJ has kept me in "ONEderland." My transplant review is in March and for the first time I'm not a nervous wreck since I'm under the magic 200 lbs line. Back in 2020 everyone was convinced I'd be on dialysis within 6 months. Now, I'm hopeful I can skip it all together because I'll get to the top of the list before my EGFR gets below 10 again. Cross fingers.

[Miss-guineapig]

wishing you the very best, keep us posted 😀

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Fabulous for you. Don't give the drug all the credit. You did a lot of work. I was told that they are getting less restrictive about weight as long as you remain within a small change range. Bodies change and weigh fluctuates. I think a lot of why they put people of size through what they do is because of misconception of what we eat. Don't you know every fat person sits on their butt all day and eats candy and hamburgers? You showed a lot of discipline. I was told that this was more important to a transplant team than anything. They know as a patient you will be compliant. Good for you and stop worrying. I am right there with you on this.

[barbara55109 in reply to Bassetmommer]

Yeah, well meaning (maybe) skinny people always know what's best. "You should try intermittent fasting" well, I only eat once a day and fast 23 1/2 hours a day. I'm not sure I'd be able to stop eating 24 hours a day! "You should try exercising" well, I go to the YMCA 5 nights a week from 2-4 hours. Since I work full time there aren't enough hours in the day to go longer. I do skip the weekends and mall walk instead. I tried going 7 days a week, but really missed spending time with my family. "You need to eat more vegetables. " Well the last time I had green beans I went to er with a blockage. "You need to increase your metabolism." Sure thing. Is that dna replacement therapy available yet? How about the time machine to take me back to the days when I was ovulating and not on insulin? "Try those new miracle drug" yep, lucky for me I've tolerated the side effects. I went from 224 to 190 on ozempic and bounced back up to 212. I've gotten down to 188 after switching to MJ. Even with the weight loss I expect the transplant dietician to tell me to eat more, exercise less and lose more weight. They tell me that every year. She's convinced I eat cake all day.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Amen Girl! I used to have people walk into my office when I was eating lunch and go through my food. They were always amazed to find salad and celery sticks for snack. I gained weight on Weight Watchers. I was told by the bariatric clinic to not attend after they read my food journal because I ate better than their diet and they used processed foods. Who knew .... WE DO!

[marimar378]

Did you lose a lot of weight? This could increase your egfr.

[barbara55109 in reply to marimar378]

Yeah, but not major. I went from 214 to 188 in the last 7 months, since starting MJ.

[Darlenia in reply to barbara55109]

That's a notable weight loss. My hubby's eGFR improved significantly when he dropped from 190 to 160. Apparently, there's less body mass for the kidneys to process and clean as weight comes off. Too much weight forces the kidneys to hyperfiltrate, which isn't good. Remarkably, my hubby's T2D also disappeared. His ideal weight is 145 to 150; he's a short guy.

[renancarlos]

Congratulations on your journey and resilience!

Would you mind saying which app you use to track your eGFR levels? Where's that chart coming from?

All the best to you!

[barbara55109 in reply to renancarlos]

I don't have an app. It's just the online portal from my health care company. I think they use Epic software.

[nonna70]

Good for you! I esp like the fat vs lean advice. When I get frustrated with the fighting diets, I say to my husband, "Just eat bread and water and go easy on the bread!"

[KajNybom]

I wish you the best and shame on your doctors for not telling you!!