Here's a question that has been bothering me for a bit. Let's say I persevere and make it all the way to getting a transplant, and I'm getting along with it and the many requirements for keeping my new organ. Without any other issues cropping up, will NSAIDs ever be okay to take? I'm not planning on binging or anything, so no worries. It's just something I've wondered.
Same question when it comes to contrast dye. Will I EVER be able to tolerate the stuff?
G
Short answer is no.. NSAIDS should be banned and I imagine someday they will be. They definitely destroy the kidneys. Too bad because they work so well. Contrast, maybe because they are coming out with newer forms that are less harmful to the kidney.
I call the NSAIDS “nephron killers,” and always think of Star Trek (I think it was still in syndication while I was tied to my bed, tube in my throat and another tube up my nose then down my throat in the MICU some 29 years ago. It seemed to always be the background noise to the afternoon visits by my team of doctors. Further I have a “mental snapshot” of Mr. Scot telling Kirk the “dilithium (sp?) crystals wouldn’t hold much longer…weird what I remember from those first 3/4 months with the ammonia gas frying my brain…I was just revisiting my medical records from ‘85-‘94 to submit (hopefully) one additional claim to the VA to get my 90% classification pushed to 100%…87-94 at least once a quarter trip to suck (well THAT was Freudian sorry but it’s too humorous to me to delete the initial misspelling…lol!) call for a twisted ankle, bum knee etc…the treatment plan take 3/4 800mg Motrin every 6-8 hours…then post 1998/99 we got the miracle drugs…Vioxx and Celebrex…both now banned in the US…as a reminder of how harmful NSAIDS can be here is a “fast fact” about these “selective” NSAIDS…
“At the time of its recall (2004) Vioxx had been taken by some 4 million Americans. Out of those patients who took Vioxx, the arthritis drug may have caused approximately 140,000 heart attacks resulting in an estimated 60,000 deaths, FDA investigator Graham stated”
Both doctors I credit for saving my life post-AKI drilled the “no NSAIDS… the rest of your life…not only the horrific CVD side effects but what most of us and maybe many GP’s and NEPHROLOGISTS don’t research how just a couple doses of the true “nephron killer” medications can DESTROY the remaining kidney cell function in their patients especially the stage 3 and below…heck I’m on my 3/4th nephrologist here (I’ve fired a couple and I’ve been fired as well cause well THEY went to med school and I didn’t…THEY are the DOCTOR…he told me in low stage 4 diet didn’t matter, my 650 PTH reading was just a “symptom” of the CKD and “you aren’t diabetic so why would you need Jardiance?” Except the post visit notes added a new condition to my ever growing list of chronic issues…well-controlled T2D…have any of you had to get a diagnosis like diabetes OFF your medical records? It’s extremely hard to do…anyway…SIGNIFICANT risk to NSAIDS that isn’t articulated well (in my opinion) by most of our frontline caregivers as most of them don’t know or fail to realize…as the robot in Lost In Space says “Danger Will Robinson…Danger!”
LINK to the article I pulled the above facts from:
fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-dr...
Wow, what a story. Always fascinating when you post. Just to echo nephron killers.... in 2003, I started to develop joint pain. Doctor insisted it was my weight but PRESCRIBED 1800 mg of ibuprofen daily.... for three years. Bye Bye Kidneys.
Interesting thought about getting a diagnosis removed from your record. One of the earliest notes from my nephrologist said that my CKD was due to obesity and put that in my chart. I was furious, and recently made her remove it..... and she did. Doctors love to blame being fat for everything. Of course when she listened to me about what had actually happened with NSAIDS, and since she knows me well after 20 years, she changed the note.
I had a Doctor prescribe Mobic NSAID for me to take daily for arthritis pain. I took it for over a year. I did change Doctor.
Please note that either your kidneys or your liver will wind up processing the meds you take. The liver largely filters those in the acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) family, opioids, and others whereas the kidneys largely processes those in the salicylates (e.g. aspirin) family, etc. It's important to know which drug affects which organ - particularly if you have issues with either one of them. In other words, it's very important to "know oneself" - because "every pill has a bit of poison on it". For example, one may think Tylenol is fantastic but, behind the scenes, one's liver may be more or less upset. So for a person with liver disease, it would be off the table. Hence, it wouldn't be wise to remove an entire family of meds off the shelf, some need other options. You mention Vioxx and Celebrex being banned in the US. This isn't so. Vioxx was voluntarily withdrawn, but Celebrex is available - I've noticed it's used for arthritis (likely other issues too) since it targets hormones involved in triggering pain and inflammation. I'm always struck by how individual and complex each one of us - we simply aren't carbon copies of each other. I'm also struck about how careless one can be when taking pain relievers. (I personally remember doubling up on aspirin for one thing or another when I was a young lady, impatient to get on with my life.) I truly hope everyone is mindful about their actions and the costs/benefits of all meds. And I sincerely hope you find the best possible resolution for yourself.
I remember those huge orange Motrin pills the army docs gave out like candy.
FYI - Pfizer elected to keep Celebrex on the market but no direct-to-consumer advertising and a stronger black box warning. Vioxx was voluntarily removed by the manufacturer. The FDA did not remove them or ban them, though they should have! Regarding the over the counter NSAIDs - THEY ought to have a black box warning for kidney damage - I can bet you that is why I have CKD now. It’s BS and I am so angry about it. Physicians should be screening EVERYONE, EVERY YEAR for kidney disease. Why PREVENTION of CKD isn’t a part of the health care system, I have no idea.
It’s interesting, in my research there is a push from(you guessed it the big pharma companies) to once again bring back these “selective” NSAID products because of the huge success they had in making companies like Merck and others some of the richest in the world…as well as enriching many (mostly cardiologists) whom I refer to as the “new landed gentry” of the New World….they propose to put a protective coating on the, so they are metabolized further in the small intestine thus (supposedly) minimizing the the CVD risk…despite the class action lawsuits and the hundreds f millions of awards to patients harmed they were still a net profit maker for the drug companies and for many of the leading cardiologist in the country. Wouldn’t be surprised if that happened as it is possible (at least in the US) to qualify for statin medication without a prescription…I have several studies done in S. American, Europe and Asia showing the general ineffectiveness of statins as well as the potential life shorting side effects…and just like with weight it seems that these studies show the t is better to maintain a consistent weight versus a history of up and down 30-40 LBS….ive resisted statins as my hyperglycemia seems to be hereditary though I’ll never know for sure…but when tested during my entrance physical for the Army at 17 it was 254…runs about 220 with HDL at about 60…HDL about 110 so elevated but not a huge amount….the two docs from my hospitalization both told me if that stayed consistent to stay away from statins…it may shorten the overall length of my life but I’ve lived 29 years I shouldn’t have and had a tremendously blessed life from my GREAT fortune to be adopted by the two best people I will ever know..my mom and dad…who gave me more opportunities then I deserved…anyway the the info of a repackage of these “nephron killers” would be interesting. My best to all as always!
I too turned down statins for many reasons. My triglycerides and cholesterol were high. And too, had a family history of these issues. With diet and exercise, both are normal to low now... whahoo!
Bassetmommer, Your sharing are always so helpful, crisp and kind. Thank you for your insights, you’ve helped me countless times on my journey with CKD.
oh you are more than welcome... We are all in this journey together.
There are some pain relievers safe for kidney patients besides Tylenol, but they can be significantly stronger. So, depending on the type and level of your condition, a doctor would have to find the best fit for you - maybe even trying completely different things. Seeing a rheumatologist would be ideal. Arthritis (in any form) is nasty and debilitating and I hope research brings all of us relief. As for scans, my hubby has had many procedures requiring contrast during his kidney journey (kidney decline, dialysis, transplant) - for a heart stent, for brain surgery, for ureter repair, etc. Here and there we asked them to be careful with it - and they did manage to lower the amount used for at least one of them. Often, they were done on an emergency basis. Throughout, interestingly, his labs didn't make significant shifts from the norm. In the general population, 2% of the population can wind up with contrast induced kidney neuropathy or acute kidney injury. But if one has kidney disease, that can go a lot higher. The condition often reverses. But, still, it's a risk. My hubby, thankfully, has skated through all of them. And come out fine. The best one can do is have a discussion with the medical staff, particularly the radiologists, if there is time for that. Sometimes, we just have step out in faith - to save other organs. We truly are very complex human beings.
Don’t forget to have them flush the contrast after, as it is said to be somewhat? preventative…Just sthg they always do to me, but I don’t know much about it hmm
I guess the general consensus is, "stay the hell away from the NSAIDs!!" I say, okee-doke.
Is an acetaminophen ok to take if you have CKD?
Yes...like Tylenol....stay away from Ibuprofen and only take Tylenol (acetaminophen) when necessary and with your Doctors directions, its still a drug that can have negative effects
Thank you so much
What about just aspirin?
Aspirin is the very worse...
Even the baby asa for my cardiac health? My nephrologist knows I take it
My Nephologist took mine away...but it probably depends on risk factors...If your Nephologist recommends it you should follow his directions
I'm on it for clotting issues. They know I take it and aren't concerned. So if they haven't said anything to you, you're ok. 
Two years post-transplant and NSAIDs are still a big no. There is a contrast, Clariscan, that is safe for SOME people with kidney issues and certain types of scans. I have had MRIs using Clariscan, but Clariscan has not been okayed for me for CT scans. I always ask for approval from my transplant center or nephrologist before all scans. I call my imaging center and ask the radiologist what type of contrast they plan to use for my scan. I get the name of the contrast, explain my situation, and get approval from my nephrologist or transplant center. I have had scans that required only water, no contract. It pays to ask and check to be safe.
NSAIDS will always be a BIG NO NO! They are really hard on kidneys. I am 24 years post-transplant and sure don't want to do anything that would put my kidney function in jeopardy. I have had contrast dye with CT Scans several times since my transplant. My nephrologist always has me be super-hydrated before the test and several days after. Water gets the dye out of my system. About 2 weeks after the test he repeats my renal labs to make sure all is ok. I have never had any problems
Wow! Alot of good and interesting info here! Didn't know about old kidneys being left in after a transplant!NSAIDS are the Satan incarnate but I have rheumatoid arthritis and they help so much with the swelling that I have to take prednisone when I get a flair. Some days I would give my life for some motrin. Didn't know I had CKD until this last October 2023 pre surgery! My whole world changed! Now not only am I fighting RA but CKD and bone loss from YES the prednisone! Just a tic for tac! Still very angry ALL THE DOCTORS and blood tests for the past 20 years or so and no one saw that my gfr was going down BUT STILL PRESCRIBING ME 1600 mg a day of motrin! SMH! God bless everyone on this journey! Prayers!
Y’all have drilled into me that NSAIDS are a no no, and thank goodness because what I wouldn’t give for an ibuprofen right now. My CKD is from ibuprofen for pinched nerves in my neck-typically about three times a year, I’d take the ibuprofen for a couple weeks and I’d be fine. Here I am starting week 9 of a pinch and no signs of going away. Now I’m scheduled on Wednesday for an epidural steroid injection and have to weigh the risk of contrast or risks of less accuracy without contrast. It really sucks that pain management has so much control or influence on my life. Since I’ve had CKD, I’ve done yoga, acupuncture, Neph approved Chinese herbs, physical therapy, and new eating plan, lost weight and am still dealing with the pain. My eGFR was up to 66 last check, so we have decided to go with contrast because a needle in my spinal canal really scares me and I want the best chance for success, but I worked really hard to get that eGFR improvement so I’m hoping it doesn’t tank my numbers. Good to hear about hydration before and after to help flush. Also happy/sad to know I’m not the only one nostalgic for those little orange pills.
Only if a doctor prescribes baby aspirin.
Low gfr...normal creatinine, protein, and albumin
Will I ever urinate again?
I need to pick the collective 'CKD brain' for upcoming appointment
What do you do with your life?
When do you limit e.g. potassium (or: what does your kidneys in?)
