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Anyone experienced rapid kidney decline?
Hi, my name is Terri. I’m 68, F, and I live in the high dessert of Central Oregon.
My kidneys have always been fine. Normal Creatinine and EGFR >60 as of December 2024. In January I was FINALLY diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica and started 20 mg prednisone.
In March I ended up in ER with chest pains. Turned out to be Pulmonary Hypertension from the prednisone, and HFpEF - heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Basically my heart is working to hard to push blood around my body.
However, my creatinine was 1.7, BUN was 32 and Egfr was 33. Stage 3b kidney disease. Most recent test was creat 1.49, BUN 29, EGFR of 38.
Mind you my kidneys went from perfectly normal to Stage 3b in a matter of 3 months.
Had ultrasound two days ago and they look fine. Urine tests all normal.
Anyone else experience this?
TIA,
Terri
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@marsiey for the first time in a year, my labs are stable after 3 months being off prednisone. My creatinine is a high normal but my eGFR is 45. My Cystatin-C is lower than that. But it is no longer doing wild fluctuations. However, as of last week, I had to go back on 5 mg prednisone, so we’ll see what next month’s tests bring.
I only take diuretics 3x’s a week right now to keep me hydrated but not bloated. Maybe my stabilization is because of the adjustment in diuretics, maybe because of going off prednisone. I don’t know!
Terri
Mine dropped from 70 to 18, IGA proteins were detected in the biopsy. This was over a 2 to 3 year period, I am 66 yo. I am reading about correlations between the 2nd covid shot and CKD.
I too, had polymialgia anrthritica (sp) and took prednisone for about one year. Tried to reduce prednisone strength too soon so treatment lasted longer than it should. Discovered shortly after I had prostrate cancer with a Gleason of 10. Since last May my kidney reading has gone from 70 to 54 in August and November 53. Have spent time with a dietition and working hard to keep BP in line and sodium under control. Getting lab test early February to see if things under control. Lots of questions on my mind if lack of immunity caused by prednisone led to Cancer growth but that’s another subject. Presently living in an independent living facility with little interest in kidney healthy diet and considering doing my own cooking or just raising Hell. JaclB