My Kidney numbers dropped 25 numbers in 10 months

Are you a donor or recipient?

Is your doctor your PCP or a Nephrologist?

Maybe it’s the Lisinopril?

Hi. No I am not a donor or recipient. Thus far my regular MD is my care. She has not yet referred me to a Nephrologist.

I would demand a referral. Tell your PCP YOU are concerned and unless they can give you a good explanation why it’s happening or at least a course of action; you want another opinion. It may be nothing but you deserve to have this addressed better IMHO

I have gone back and forth with her (2 doctors actually) on the 'My Chart' with many questions. I was very up front and told them I am very worried and this is highly abnormal. One's answer was "It could because your Creatitine is elevated do to muscle mass. Bottom line, they do not have an answer. IF my eGFR is lower again, I will demand a referral to the Renal Dept. If my eGFR keeps plummeting at this rate? I will either be in the ER dying or emergency dialysis. I am in WI, and I go to UW Hospital and Clinics, they are supposedly, to be one of the best, one would hope. I did fast for 12 hours before my blood work, but I have no idea if that mattered. All I know my numbers are dropping swiftly.

@sallylynn here are excerpts from the info on side effects of lisinopril:
kidney problems. Symptoms include:
tiredness
swelling, especially of your hands, feet, or ankles
shortness of breath
weight gain

high potassium levels. This drug can cause dangerously high potassium. This can lead to arrhythmia (heart rate or rhythm problems). Your risk may be higher if you have kidney disease or diabetes, or if you’re taking other drugs that increase potassium levels. (I have also read high potassium is toxic for kidneys)

Docs don't seem to react to eGFR's in the 50's but you can request a referral given that it has dropped fairly quickly. I also had a drop- from 53 to 36, then with hydration got it to 41. I asked for a referral and am seeing a nephrologist next week.

Your eGFR is not bad enough to scare them and so maybe point out the drop with a graph or something!

I would ask your cardiologist for a substitute for the lisinopril. My mother used spironolactone.

I am staying away from NSAID's, reducing protein in my diet, and plan on meeting with a dietician after the nephrologist.

Hi. Thanks for your response. I have been on lisinopril since 2018. Actually, my Dotor said lisinopril protects the kidneys! They know I have had some problems with my eGFR in the past and never took me off it. Unfortunately, I have for years been taking 2 Advil a day for aches and pains. Now recent, I do not take them. Scared straight now. I sent a message this afternoon to my Doctor that I insist I see a nephrologist IF my numbers plummet even further. They know I am worried but seem unbothered by it. I as well have esophagitis and will be getting a CT on 06/05/2023. It came back with a vengeance a bit after March 16, I had it almost 2 years ago. How I found out my eGRF was 64 was I needed to make an appt. to get a referral for the CT scan, thus blood work was ordered. This was on 04/25/2023. When I saw the drop from 07/2022 (78) to04/25/2023(64) I was mortified it dropped 14 digits. Then from 04/25/2023 to 05/30/2023 another 11 digits. My heart was pounding, that's for sure. I am shocked they, my doctors are not all over this. I asked them is this normal for such a drastic drop and no direct answers. June 15 I go back for bloodwork and a urine sample, which I had to request. I don't have a cardiologist. If I have a problem then my Doctor does a referral. I hope your e GFR gets higher. I will keep you posted.

@sallylynn Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. We kidney patients find that most primary care doctors don't seem to understand the issue of falling eGFR and kidney issues. Even some nephrologists do not seem to take our cases seriously until later. But you are right to be concerned, and advocate for your best health care possible! If your primary care will not refer you, go up the chain of command. Go to the patient advocate for your clinic, and demand a referral.

Watching your protein intake, along with sodium, phosphorous, calcium, and potassium will steer you towards a healthier kidney diet. Likewise, proper hydration. Moderate exercise is wonderful.

As to the causes of kidney disorders, it could be a medication reaction, diabetes, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or genetic factors. Do you take NSAIDs like Naproxen or aspirin? This can cause kidney issues; chronic kidney disease people are relegated to acetominophen [Tylenol] only for pain relief.

Bear in mind that different analyzing machines can produce varying results, as can your hydration level on a test day. or fasting/non-fasting.

I recently went onto Lisinopril. Prior to that I was on a medication that caused a lot of lymphodema. I titrated onto Lisinopril, now that I am on dialysis. As @windyshores mentioned, it can cause kidney issues. That is no longer as much of a concern for me.
Ginger

Thanks for the advise with the BP medication.

Thank you for your response. Clearly I can see they, my MD's are not taking this seriously. I am assuming I am becoming a bother since I am sending a lot of My Chart messages to them. I have a CT scan in 3 days for a yearly screening for lung cancer. I do have esophagitis which is very painful and hard to manage. Is is safe for me to have the CT scan with declining eGRF numbers? The worry is the radiation. As well, I am peeing much more, and always urgent. I have been looking at me pee to study the color. Right now, is is light yellow, with a tinge of cloudiness, not much, and minuscule white flecks floating. I send a My Chart message about my urine, and they never responded. As well, I am for several days now feeling deep pain on my left scapula and under my left breast. At times, it radiates to center back. But it's a deep pain, that comes and goes. Do you know if Kidneys hurt in these area's? Thanks .

@sallylynn Definitely time to get in to see a nephrologist, based on your comments! You probably are okay with the scan, but check with your team to be sure. For me, it was when I got to eGFR of 30 or so, that I had to go contrast-free. All signs point to you needing to see that kidney doctor! I bet you are keeping a journal of symptoms, right?! Kidneys often hurt in the lower back area, if they hurt, at least in my experience.
Ginger