I posted on here 3 months ago as I had concerns about kidney disease. I had some lovely helpful replies and was grateful back then.
I have recently had routine blood tests again and the Serum Creatinine level returned at 96 umol/L (previous test 6 months ago was 86). The eGFR level 50 mL (previously 57). My GP practice marked both of these as "satisfactory".
As I said in my earlier post, I have awful itching and know this could be due to kidney disease. It affects my scalp and face mainly and find when it is bad, if I put my fingers through my hair, I have loads of loose strands coming out. My hair is and always has been thick so I am not unduly concerned but I just hate this itching and find it quite unbearable at times.
When I have yet again queried the results with my GP (phone consultation only) I am told "everything is ok" so yet again. No information given about having tests again in a few months. I am quite bewildered to say the least.
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eaggirl1856
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After speed-reading previous replies 3m ago, I think the main consensus from most was that youve little to be concerned about, at least in terms of ckd and mortality.
My view is that you should monitor all kidney data including serum and urine and consider Nutritional Therapy (NT) in order to try to maintain the reasonable function you have plus other health benefits. My mum is aged 68, has maintained stage 3a for 14y 🤞🤞 with latest egfr the same as yours and adopts NT. She doesnt have the itch symptom you have but does have other issues, most notably accelerating albuminuria. But she has only a single kidney.
She was also not diagnosed by NHS at the outset but youve had views on that in the previous post, most of which I concur. Sadly we cant/dont rely on NHS now so adopt DIY healthcare.
Appreciate your reply. I consider I eat a good, well balanced diet. I don't each much meat, mainly vegetarian meals from scratch. I cannot remember the last time I had alcohol either. I have queried about having urine tests especially as I am prone to cystitis from time to time (twice this year) but I am told it is not necessary. I am still undergoing tests/procedures from bowel cancer surgery exactly 3 years ago now with another follow-up CT scan this coming Sunday
The hair loss may be normal aging. I take biotin vitamins daily to help with that. My doctors know and approve. Have your phosphorus levels checked for the itching. It could be high phosphorus or a million other things
thanks for your reply. I don't think phosphorus was tested. I realise hair loss is natural with ageing but it is ONLY when I have the itching that my hair loss occurs. I eat a well balanced, mainly vegetarian diet and lots of veg/fresh fruit. Eggs, Bananas, Milk (biotin is found in these) I eat every day plus blueberries and grapes.
I once got terrible itching, not just on my scalp, a few days after I started a drug that doesn't even have itching listed as a side effect, but the itching stopped a couple of days after I stopped the drug. Just saying, could be anything. Maybe keep a food diary? I use dandruff shampoo when my scalp itches, even if I don't see any flakes, its a powerful shampoo and it works. A doctor would probably put you on an elimination diet. Good luck, itching can drive you crazy.
2.over the counter supplement (especially in high doses) or
3. taken any unregulated “herbs” someone like an acupuncturist would prescribe, or
4. changed shampoo, conditioner, etc.
5. Changed the detergent you wash your pillowcase in
I am not a doctor, but I would be highly suspicious that this is related to kidney disease.
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My final questions would be
1. Have you had any surgical procedures within the past 3 months, with anesthesia
2. Have you had any other major stressors, moving, a death. (Obviously you haven’t been pregnant)
Telogen Effluvium is the most common kind of hair loss which is due to stress, like 1 & 2 .
However, combined with the itching, I would doubt that to be the case. Rather, itching does not typically go along with telogen effluvium, which means it could be something else.
No new medication, no over-the-counter items, I have been using an elimination with so many things including cleaning items, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel etc etc. For some time I have used baby toiletries . No stresses, no deaths & certainly not pregnant at 77 😂. I keep a note of everything I am eating now too. Some days I can tolerate but others I feel like I alive" with this itching . Appreciate your reply, thank you
Not speaking as a doctor, but as a patient. I would make an appointment with a dermatologist as you continue to work on this for yourself because it will probably be 2-3 months before you can even get seen.
I suddenly became allergic to nuts, or should I say, “sensitive.” I had no allergies. Then I got the bright idea that I’d eat bagels with peanut butter every single day because it tasted great, was filling, nuts are good for you. After about a month of this, I got horrible hives. I’d wake up 1 am, there were bumps on my thighs, itched horribly, gone in about 5 house. I saw a doctor who said, Very likely the nuts. Cut it out! I stopped eating nuts. No issues. That was an allergic reaction.
Fast forward 15 years. I would eat a sauce or something with a small amount of nuts as an ingredient, and my shins would turn itchy and red. I saw an allergist who did that test where they prick the skin on your back in 15 places to see if you’re allergic to things. He said Nope, not allergic to nuts! Well, please explain this then…they call it a “sensitivity.”
Again, not a doctor, but Benadryl (antihistamine) will often stop an allergic response. The next time you itch, I would take one myself, I know it’s safe for me, but I don’t know if it’s a safe medicine for you. Not all over the counter medicines are safe for every person! If you’re not on any medication and have no other medical conditions, antihistamines are pretty benign.
I would explore, if you are indeed eating the most common allergy inducing foods - shellfish, nuts, dairy, eggs - stop right now to give yourself possible relief. Up to you. If it stops, you can gradually add them back one at a time.
Finally — talk to a pharmacist. They know a lot! Usually they’re very nice. That’s probably the second piece of advice beyond speak to a dermatologist, whose specialty is skin.
That must have been awful for you. Strangely, I don't get any hives or rash with the itching. I do take an antihistamine tablet daily. It is very strange as I can go for a day or two without any itching but then it returns with a bang! I will keep monitoring things and possibly talk to my GP. I have changed so many things over the last few months but as someone previously said (can't remember if it was actually you), it could be anything that is causing it. I really appreciate your posts. Thank you!
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