I have early stages of membranous glomorulae nephritis, which is a condition of the kidneys, Is there a cure for nephritis ?

[dragonfly54]

[ipswichlady]

I am now 66 and was born with acute nephritis and was treated for some months at Great Ormonds Hospital for Children. I do not know much about nephritis, but I suppose this was a wonderful success, all those years ago! Very good luck and best wishes for your health.

[Chris-Bromsgrove]

Hi Dragonfly

Nephritis as I understand it is an inflammation of the kidneys which is common in vasculitis patients. A cure for nephritis is probably not the right term to use as it is first a case of fixing the underlying problem of bringing the vasculitis under control (assuming this is what you have). The kidneys are capable of repairing the damage caused by the inflammation. When I went through this problem a couple of years ago the results of my kidney biopsy enabled the consultant to categorise the level of damage in terms of acute and chronic. Acute damage will repair itself in time but chronic damage means the inflammation damage have caused bits of tissue to die and that will not repair. At the height of my vasculitis my kidney function went down to around 30% but it has now recovered to around 70%. Not perfect but more than sufficient to ensure my kidneys filter the blood normally. Your consultant should be able to tell you through a biopsy the level of damage you have and how well they will recover once the underlying problem has been fixed.

Hope this helps

Chris

[AndrewT]

Dear Dragonfly (hey like the name),

I don't know much, if indeed anything, about 'Nephritis' but quite a bit about kidney disease generally. I should I was on dialysis, for four years, and had a Kidney transplant nearly a year ago. I my case the kidney, along with brain and heart, damage was caused by 'uncategorised' vasculitis- several overlapping strains apparently. My kidney function dropped to about five per cent; this is only an estimate since I was on dialysis, which took 'care' of my renal function(s). (The 'marker', that is used in Renal Failure Patients, is creatinine- a break down compound of protein, that the kidney filter out. The more creatinine present the 'worse' the kidney function- conversely the less creatinine the better the function. Clearly it is not quite that simple- when you last ate- what you last eat- indeed what you have eaten in the last few days, all play a 'part' in the diagnosis. In any event a 'one off' reading is meaningless- as you probably already know- it is the trend that is important.)

Yes some kidney damage can repair itself, again it depends on the type of damage caused and by what; and also by your general 'overall' health- plus many other factors too numerous to mention.

I don't know if this has been of any use to you, I hope so- I'm aware that I have 'rabbled' a bit, sorry!

Very best wishes.

AndrewT