1. < Kidney & Bladder

Anyone with CKD can give me answers or advise?

Posted by sallylynn @sallylynn, Aug 23, 2023

Hello. End of second week of July I got a yeast infection. OTC Montistat 1 day oval. 2 days later felt improvement. Several days later, symptoms of UTI. Waited few days. Called Clinic. Went in for labs. Confirmed. Recommend do another round of OTC treatment. I did. RX prescribed Cefpodoxime 5 days, 2 pills a day. However, before I started RX, suddenly I got these skin sensations: prickly, pins& needles, itchy skin random. Even my eye lids & inside my ears. Last night my breasts were tingling.Comes and goes. I have NO rash. This is been going on for near a month. July 27 started feeling Kidney pain through the night until July 28. Called clinic. Concerned my UTI spread into Kidneys. Advised to go to ER. At ER July 28 all blood/urine tests done.My eGFR was 68. Creatinine 0.95 BUN 13. All in normal range. I asked ER doctor why I was having this skin sensation & he did not know why. Sent home. Went to my clinic for follow up on 07/31blood work & urine. My creatinine rose to 1.05 my BUN rose to 18 & my eGFR lowered to 60. Can I assume this was from the Cefpodoxime? I went back to clinic 08/07 for urinalysis labs ( I asked for another Basic Metabolic Panel, doctor refused. My urine looked good except Hemoglobin. This time, on Aug.7 the word TRACE was there. This is the first time ever this has happened. With my trends all were negative prior. Of course I My Chart my Doctor with concerns. My Doctor's response was this: "As for your urine lab results, trace hemoglobin is not concerning as the microscopy findings did not show any RBCs". As of current, I do not know what my eGFR is, my creatinine or my BUN. I had to remind my doctor since I trend in the 50's for my eGFR we both should "Be concerned" of my trends. She then put in a lab order for a BMP. I guess because my eGFR was "60" I was "Stabilized" but not considering 80% of my eGFR's are in the 50 range. I should point out on June 3rd I had a CT/Contrast at ER. I will regret that for the rest of my life. So here are my questions if anyone wishes to answer, is my skin sensations related to my kidneys? Could I possibly be having adverse affects a little over a month AFTER my CT/Contrast scan? And what could cause my Hemoglobin Urine test to say TRACE. I go in on 09/11 for a BMP after I had to ask for one. Anyone who has thoughts about this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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sallylynn | @sallylynn | Aug 24, 2023
In reply to @sallylynn "Hello Ginger. Home from the ER. They ran many tests. Everything looks good with blood tests..." + (show)
@sallylynn

Hello Ginger. Home from the ER. They ran many tests. Everything looks good with blood tests and urine. They concluded I do have neuropathy however they cannot explain why since all my tests came back normal. The Doctor prescribed Gabapentin for me take and at first take at night. He said if this does not resolve, my Primary needs to refer me to a nephrologist. As for the bone pain the Doctor said the neuropathy very well could be doing this. They gave me a pill when I was settled in my ER room.I forgot the name of it, I think it started with the letter A to help taper the pain and symptoms of the neuropathy. I was elated Ginger everything came back good. Praise God. I did bring up delayed Iodine Contrast adverse reaction to them as a possibility why this is happening to me, but they were adamant that my neuropathy was not from my contrast. End of that discussion.I pray I get sound sleep tonight. I think I had maybe 2 hours. I am going to take my first dose of Gabapentin about an hour before I go to bed. I sure hope it helps.

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I arrived at the ER about 9:00A.M. I was actually happy to see not one patient in the waiting area. Every time I have gone it was a full house. I was called swiftly into a room with a bed. I think it makes a huge difference for the medical team when the pressure of chaos is absent & they can actually ask more questions & allow the patient more time.

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sallylynn | @sallylynn | Aug 24, 2023
In reply to @gingerw "@sallylynn We all will be interested to hear what the doctors say. Getting in to see..." + (show)
@gingerw

@sallylynn We all will be interested to hear what the doctors say. Getting in to see a nephrologist may help ease your mind, also. The itching could be from an electrolyte unbalance, seeing that you have been experiencing several different issues. I am surely hoping you will achieve some peace of mind today, not to mention peace of physical body.
Ginger

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Hi Ginger, I forgot to mention to you I had an ultrasound on July 10 for my kidneys and bladder. It was notated I have a one inch cyst in my left kidney and "Several" non obstructing kidney stones in the right. I did not have the cyst in 2108.

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1 reply
sallylynn | @sallylynn | Aug 24, 2023
In reply to @kamama94 "@sallylynn, have you thought about asking your doc for a referral to a nephrologist? A neph..." + (show)
@kamama94

@sallylynn, have you thought about asking your doc for a referral to a nephrologist? A neph could order several studies to see what's going on. I have CKD with an eGFR in the 30s and am very happy about that considering I once was on dialysis and at stage 5 but I do have itching we think is related to decreased renal function. A neph might be able to tell you more.

Also, have you considered finding out about a renal diet? This has helped me a great deal.

Best wishes in your search for answers.

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Hi Kamama. I am home from ER. All my tests came back ok. Praise God. They did say I have nephropathy but do not have an answer to as why. They ran about 10 tests including urinalysis .They didn't relate my itching, tingling, burning, pins and needles to my kidneys. They prescribed gabapentin for me. If this does not help, they advised my Primary refers me to a neurologist. Although I feel relief of my test results, I am in the dark why I have this. The doctor said the bone pain is probably do the nephropathy. They gave me medicine at the hospital to ease the symptoms, but I still have the symptoms. I wish to thank you for response, that was very kind.

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1 reply
kamama94 | @kamama94 | Aug 24, 2023
In reply to @sallylynn "Hi Kamama. I am home from ER. All my tests came back ok. Praise God. They..." + (show)
@sallylynn

Hi Kamama. I am home from ER. All my tests came back ok. Praise God. They did say I have nephropathy but do not have an answer to as why. They ran about 10 tests including urinalysis .They didn't relate my itching, tingling, burning, pins and needles to my kidneys. They prescribed gabapentin for me. If this does not help, they advised my Primary refers me to a neurologist. Although I feel relief of my test results, I am in the dark why I have this. The doctor said the bone pain is probably do the nephropathy. They gave me medicine at the hospital to ease the symptoms, but I still have the symptoms. I wish to thank you for response, that was very kind.

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@sallylynn, glad your labs were ok. If you have nephropathy, seeing a nephrologist would be a good plan. I happen to know that as people grow older, mild nephropathy isn't all that unusual.

I'm also a diabetic so am used to the pins and needles of diabetic nerve damage but many kidney websites also say itching can have many causes, including too much or too little potassium or phosphorus in the bloodstream. I'm not a doctor, I'm just passing along what I have read or experienced.

I can relate to the burning itching especially, though, as I had shingles several years ago and still have burning itching where the shingles lesions were. I'm also convinced that the physiological trauma of the shingles contributed to my sudden eGFR decrease and the necessity for urgent dialysis. Fortunately, I've recovered somewhat and no longer need dialysis.

Am sending you positive vibes that your labs stay stable.

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1 reply
sallylynn | @sallylynn | Aug 24, 2023
In reply to @kamama94 "@sallylynn, glad your labs were ok. If you have nephropathy, seeing a nephrologist would be a..." + (show)
@kamama94

@sallylynn, glad your labs were ok. If you have nephropathy, seeing a nephrologist would be a good plan. I happen to know that as people grow older, mild nephropathy isn't all that unusual.

I'm also a diabetic so am used to the pins and needles of diabetic nerve damage but many kidney websites also say itching can have many causes, including too much or too little potassium or phosphorus in the bloodstream. I'm not a doctor, I'm just passing along what I have read or experienced.

I can relate to the burning itching especially, though, as I had shingles several years ago and still have burning itching where the shingles lesions were. I'm also convinced that the physiological trauma of the shingles contributed to my sudden eGFR decrease and the necessity for urgent dialysis. Fortunately, I've recovered somewhat and no longer need dialysis.

Am sending you positive vibes that your labs stay stable.

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Thank you kamama. ~I agree with you, having a nephrologist would be good. I am sorry you had the shingles. I have read testimonies from patients who have it and it is horrendous. I must agree with you that your unfortunate bout with shingles more than likely played a part in your eGFR reduction. My youngest Son is type 1 diabetic. He was diagnosed at age 4. We almost lost him. He was in ICU for a week.I can not count how many times we had to call 911 because of his seizures, sad & bad memories. He is now 29. I am so happy you are no longer with dialysis. I as well send you positive vibes and you will continue to stay healthy.

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windyshores | @windyshores | Aug 25, 2023

@sallylynn you are writing nephropathy instead of neuropathy which gives the wrong idea 🙂

I have had the same sensations for 22 years with no answers. You can have an EMG but it won't probably answer questions you have. I gave up dairy and gluten and do tai chi. I don't take any meds. Hope gabapentin helps you.

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2 replies
mrainne | @mrainne | Aug 25, 2023
In reply to @janni1 "My eGFR is only between 17 and rarely the highest of 20....they took me off the..." + (show)
@janni1

My eGFR is only between 17 and rarely the highest of 20....they took me off the lisinopril but it doesn't seem to make any difference from what I can see for me.

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Janni1, how do you feel as your eGFR is in the 5th stage? One of my recent posts mentioned my eGFR is 25. I already know with my disease it will worsen but I don't know how long that will take. My Nephrologist at Mayo said many people live a long time with low eGFRs before going into ESRD. I don't have symptoms. My cousin has lived for over 10 years with eGFR 20. She doesn't have symptoms either.

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Aug 25, 2023
In reply to @sallylynn "Hi Ginger, I forgot to mention to you I had an ultrasound on July 10 for..." + (show)
@sallylynn

Hi Ginger, I forgot to mention to you I had an ultrasound on July 10 for my kidneys and bladder. It was notated I have a one inch cyst in my left kidney and "Several" non obstructing kidney stones in the right. I did not have the cyst in 2108.

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@sallylynn Cysts can be a fairly common occurrence in the kidneys. I have had several. Here is what Mayo Clinic has to say about them: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-cysts/symptoms-causes/syc-20374134

How are you feeling today?
Ginger

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1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Aug 25, 2023
In reply to @janni1 "My eGFR is only between 17 and rarely the highest of 20....they took me off the..." + (show)
@janni1

My eGFR is only between 17 and rarely the highest of 20....they took me off the lisinopril but it doesn't seem to make any difference from what I can see for me.

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@janni1 Lisinopril is a blood pressure medication. Have you been monitoring your blood pressure since being taken off the lisinpril, or did they replace it with something else?
Ginger

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1 reply
sallylynn | @sallylynn | Aug 26, 2023
In reply to @gingerw "@janni1 Lisinopril is a blood pressure medication. Have you been monitoring your blood pressure since being..." + (show)
@gingerw

@janni1 Lisinopril is a blood pressure medication. Have you been monitoring your blood pressure since being taken off the lisinpril, or did they replace it with something else?
Ginger

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Good morning Ginger. Yes, I have been monitoring my BP. It has been pretty good for the most part. I was never taken off lisinpril, my Doctor reduced the dose from 20mg to 10 mg. My Doctor never replaced it. I am sorry for the late response, I have been resting. I had a rough night last night. Horrible neuropathy. I felt pretty good through Friday, even felt optimistic, but, at about 9:30 the neuropathy came back with a vengeance. I took my gabapentin 100mg,(Instructed to take at bedtime) and that did not make a dent for any relief. Last night I got scared because on the left side of my head, I got sharp pains. It did go away. I sit here depressed racking my brain why, all of a sudden, I have neuropathy. It came out of no where. The Hospital ran tests, they don't know why, and prescribe gabapentin. I have a question for you, is gabapentin bad for kidneys. Thanks Ginger.

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