1. < Kidney & Bladder

Effexor and kidney stones

Posted by wendyw @wendyw, Nov 5, 2017

My son has been on Effexor for 2-3 years and during that time has developed calcium kidney stones so severe he has lithotripsys every 8 weeks. None if his doctors have ever linked the two but we have just read an FDA report that says up to 26% of males his age will develop kidney stones on Effexor. Please let me kniw your experiences, esoecially if ceasing the drug also stopped the formation of stones.

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IWantToBelieve | @IWantToBelieve | Nov 6, 2017
In reply to @wendyw "Thank you Rosemary. He has had 3 nephrologists, 2 surgeons and an endocrinologist, none connected the..." + (show)
@wendyw

Thank you Rosemary.
He has had 3 nephrologists, 2 surgeons and an endocrinologist, none connected the Effexor to the stones. We are in Australia and when I called Pfizer here they had no information.

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@wendyw - Is there a reason why he has had 3 nephrologists? Getting second opinions can be good but jumping around too much can be detrimental so I'm wondering if you have found one you are satisfied with or are you still searching?

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wendyw | @wendyw | Nov 6, 2017
In reply to @wendyw "Thank you Rosemary. He has had 3 nephrologists, 2 surgeons and an endocrinologist, none connected the..." + (show)
@wendyw

Thank you Rosemary.
He has had 3 nephrologists, 2 surgeons and an endocrinologist, none connected the Effexor to the stones. We are in Australia and when I called Pfizer here they had no information.

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It actually took this to find a good one who could communicate.

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wendyw | @wendyw | Nov 6, 2017
In reply to @IWantToBelieve "@wendyw - So sorry to hear about your son but know that you are being a..." + (show)
@IWantToBelieve

@wendyw - So sorry to hear about your son but know that you are being a great mom pursuing answers for him. I have PKD (Polycysitc Kidney Disease) and took Effexor for several years. All I can tell you is that I have never had a kidney stone. I do know drinking a lot helps keep kidney stones at bay and I never drank much (water I mean!) until the last two years and still I have never had a kidney stone. I am a female and you said the study referred to males so I'm afraid my experience is not much use to you and my medical knowledge in this area is negligible.

I wish you all the best and I am glad you turned to the Mayo Clinic because if they can help I know they will.

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Thank you, just desperate to find a cause and treatment. ATM his life is on hold, terrible pain, and needing some hope.

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1 reply
IWantToBelieve | @IWantToBelieve | Nov 6, 2017
In reply to @wendyw "Thank you Rosemary. He has had 3 nephrologists, 2 surgeons and an endocrinologist, none connected the..." + (show)
@wendyw

Thank you Rosemary.
He has had 3 nephrologists, 2 surgeons and an endocrinologist, none connected the Effexor to the stones. We are in Australia and when I called Pfizer here they had no information.

Jump to this post

@wendyw - well I'm glad you finally found someone you like. Having confidence in your doctor is so important!

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IWantToBelieve | @IWantToBelieve | Nov 6, 2017

@wendyw - I was just learning what lithotrypsys is and it lead me to reread your original post. Assuming your son is taking Effexor to treat are many depression have you considered switching meds to see if it helps? There are many meds available for depression and although it can take awhile for them to get in your system and work well it sounds like his life is somewhat on hold anyway so now might not be the worst time to try a change. Obviously, he should speak with his prescribing doctor to make the decision that is best for him but it would at least eliminate Effexor as a variable in the possible cause of his frequent kidney stones. Otherwise, the Mayo link that was shared before gives some home remedies you can try, especially since you know what type of kidney stones he has.

REPLY
3 replies
IWantToBelieve | @IWantToBelieve | Nov 6, 2017
In reply to @IWantToBelieve "@wendyw - So sorry to hear about your son but know that you are being a..." + (show)
@IWantToBelieve

@wendyw - So sorry to hear about your son but know that you are being a great mom pursuing answers for him. I have PKD (Polycysitc Kidney Disease) and took Effexor for several years. All I can tell you is that I have never had a kidney stone. I do know drinking a lot helps keep kidney stones at bay and I never drank much (water I mean!) until the last two years and still I have never had a kidney stone. I am a female and you said the study referred to males so I'm afraid my experience is not much use to you and my medical knowledge in this area is negligible.

I wish you all the best and I am glad you turned to the Mayo Clinic because if they can help I know they will.

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@wendyw - I just read on the Mayo site (from link above) about how the parathyroid can be overactive and cause increased formation of calcium kidney stones. That might be something to explore with his nephrologist if it has not been examined already. It says if this is the case, treating the thyroid decreased (or maybe stops?) the formation of kidney stones. I'm not a doctor so please share this with his doctor and see if it provides any answers.

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wendyw | @wendyw | Nov 6, 2017
In reply to @IWantToBelieve "@wendyw - So sorry to hear about your son but know that you are being a..." + (show)
@IWantToBelieve

@wendyw - So sorry to hear about your son but know that you are being a great mom pursuing answers for him. I have PKD (Polycysitc Kidney Disease) and took Effexor for several years. All I can tell you is that I have never had a kidney stone. I do know drinking a lot helps keep kidney stones at bay and I never drank much (water I mean!) until the last two years and still I have never had a kidney stone. I am a female and you said the study referred to males so I'm afraid my experience is not much use to you and my medical knowledge in this area is negligible.

I wish you all the best and I am glad you turned to the Mayo Clinic because if they can help I know they will.

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Thank you for you care Lynn. The endocrinologist checked his parathyroid and it was fine. It was disappointing because we hoped that would be the answer!

REPLY
wendyw | @wendyw | Nov 6, 2017
In reply to @IWantToBelieve "@wendyw - I was just learning what lithotrypsys is and it lead me to reread your..." + (show)
@IWantToBelieve

@wendyw - I was just learning what lithotrypsys is and it lead me to reread your original post. Assuming your son is taking Effexor to treat are many depression have you considered switching meds to see if it helps? There are many meds available for depression and although it can take awhile for them to get in your system and work well it sounds like his life is somewhat on hold anyway so now might not be the worst time to try a change. Obviously, he should speak with his prescribing doctor to make the decision that is best for him but it would at least eliminate Effexor as a variable in the possible cause of his frequent kidney stones. Otherwise, the Mayo link that was shared before gives some home remedies you can try, especially since you know what type of kidney stones he has.

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He is in the process of stopping the Effexor. Down from 175 to 37.5 but that last bit is very hard. A compounding chemist is making him up some half strength capsules

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Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Nov 6, 2017
In reply to @IWantToBelieve "@wendyw - I was just learning what lithotrypsys is and it lead me to reread your..." + (show)
@IWantToBelieve

@wendyw - I was just learning what lithotrypsys is and it lead me to reread your original post. Assuming your son is taking Effexor to treat are many depression have you considered switching meds to see if it helps? There are many meds available for depression and although it can take awhile for them to get in your system and work well it sounds like his life is somewhat on hold anyway so now might not be the worst time to try a change. Obviously, he should speak with his prescribing doctor to make the decision that is best for him but it would at least eliminate Effexor as a variable in the possible cause of his frequent kidney stones. Otherwise, the Mayo link that was shared before gives some home remedies you can try, especially since you know what type of kidney stones he has.

Jump to this post

@wendyw, You are a good mom. Your son is fortunate to have you looking after his best interests.
Rosemary

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wendyw | @wendyw | Nov 6, 2017

Thanks Rosemary but no different to mums everywhere.

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