Kidney functioning

di3004

Hope it's ok to post here.

Please if anyone has this problem, could you share your own experience of any issues with kidney functioning.

It's only recently I've had issues really, well of some concern after a blood fastings and in hope the functioning does not drop much lower.

My GFR levels are now at 50, six months ago at 52 and over a year ago at 60.
I am on meds for high BP, 2 lots (I started on one lots of BP meds over 10 years ago and the other 2 years ago), one of those as informed by my GP protect the kidneys, so they ruled out meds decreasing this problem.

Despite a healthy lifestyle (5ft 5ins tall) weigh now about 9,6, I have recently been prescribed Simvastatins 40mg for high cholesterol, both BP and Cholesterol issues are hereditary in my family, but not kidney disease.

My age (44).

I am due for more blood fastings again in Feb to keep a check on both cholesterol and kidney functioning.

Fingers crossed there will be some improvement on the cholesterol, but as far as I'm aware you cannot increase kidney functioning, but can help try slowing the process down from decreasing further etc......

I know there are going to be many people probably in the same position as myself, so I do not feel alone, but will be happy if anyone who know's of kidney functioning issues to share it with me please.:) I am not experienced with this at all lol.

Thank you in advance.;)

lushlifesaver

I only have experience of my dad's kidney issues but his 'counts' (from blood tests/other tests at the kidney institute) have gradually decreased over the past four years since being informed he has cysts in his kidneys - he was first told it was polycystic kidney disease but has now been told it isn't that- and he has recently been moved across to the 'low point clinic' with a view to eventually going on to dialysis. My grandfather was also on dialysis for most, if not all, of my memory of him.

Dad now has to restrict his diet due to not being able/ 'supposed to' have some foods such as tomatoes, brown/wholemeal bread and grapefruit as well as others due to his kidneys and medication. Shame really as they are some of his favourite things!

Sorry I can't be too much help at the moment but I am around and will be interested in other replys to this thread. Will also reply from time to time as I experience more through dad's treatment

di3004

lushlifesaver wrote: »

I only have experience of my dad's kidney issues but his 'counts' (from blood tests/other tests at the kidney institute) have gradually decreased over the past four years since being informed he has cysts in his kidneys - he was first told it was polycystic kidney disease but has now been told it isn't that- and he has recently been moved across to the 'low point clinic' with a view to eventually going on to dialysis. My grandfather was also on dialysis for most, if not all, of my memory of him.

Dad now has to restrict his diet due to not being able/ 'supposed to' have some foods such as tomatoes, brown/wholemeal bread and grapefruit as well as others due to his kidneys and medication. Shame really as they are some of his favourite things!

Sorry I can't be too much help at the moment but I am around and will be interested in other replys to this thread. Will also reply from time to time as I experience more through dad's treatment

Thank you so much for your input and I do hope things settle for your dad soon.
I'm unable to eat grapefruit or drink it, this was advised by my GP not to and the label on the Simvastatin meds.

I love wholemeal bread, tomatoes etc, and generally eat a good diet, but it's like a vicious circle really, treating one thing - then it's disturbing the other sort of thing.

I look forward to you posting again, and please also let me know how your dad gets on, thank you. x;)

scoobes19

Hi Di,

I am not a doctor, so don't want to lull you into a false sense of security etc, but some GP's are now not doing fasting bloods for cholesterol, because people forget to drink and then results appear to indicating poor kidney function.

I wasn't sure if all your blood tests were done as fasting or not?

If they have been, I would suggest you ask for an additional test when you are fully hydrated.

I hope that helps.

Best regards

Scoobes

di3004

scoobes19 wrote: »

Hi Di,

I am not a doctor, so don't want to lull you into a false sense of security etc, but some GP's are now not doing fasting bloods for cholesterol, because people forget to drink and then results appear to indicating poor kidney function.

I wasn't sure if all your blood tests were done as fasting or not?

If they have been, I would suggest you ask for an additional test when you are fully hydrated.

I hope that helps.

Best regards

Scoobes

Hiya Scoobes and thank you too.

That did come to my mind and yes that was a fastings.

November was fastings, so on the eve I could not eat or drink anything, just very small sips of water but nothing too much.

May this year was not a fastings and the results were actually a little worse on the cholesterol but a higher gfr reading on the kidney functioning by 2%, but that could explain that mine were dehydrated on the fasting result.

Strange you mentioned about asking about the test when fully hydrated, I was actually thinking the same thing.

Thank you x

Skyllo

Being dehydrated will only affect your kidney function by being *very* dehydrated e.g. vomiting for a few days, not keeping anything down, especially in someone who's otherwise healthy.

Even if your cholesterol blood test is normal, simvastatin is still good as it reduces your risk of heart/vascular problems even when your cholesterol is low. People with kidney problems are at a higher risk of heart trouble so this is important!

Sounds like you're doing all the right things so I hope things work out well for you.

di3004

Skyllo wrote: »

Being dehydrated will only affect your kidney function by being *very* dehydrated e.g. vomiting for a few days, not keeping anything down, especially in someone who's otherwise healthy.

Even if your cholesterol blood test is normal, simvastatin is still good as it reduces your risk of heart/vascular problems even when your cholesterol is low. People with kidney problems are at a higher risk of heart trouble so this is important!

Sounds like you're doing all the right things so I hope things work out well for you.

Thank you.

It's been almost a month now on the simvastatins, my dad suffered with the same things as me, not sure about his functioning of his kidneys though.

There was just 2% difference from a non fastings to a fastings in 6 months, from 52gfr to 50gfr, so still in the same category really.

Again thank you x;)

di3004

Bumping......for anyone who would like to post up about kidney functioning etc...and experiences.

And to also add that I am also taking a supplement called CoQ10 (Co-enzyme) 100mg once a day, it was suggested to me firstly by someone at the pharmacy, then at my GP surgery.

If you take statins these supplements supposed to be helpful, for example to also help lower high BP and cholesterol, not banking on it, it's basically just trial and error really, and they may not be for everyone.
From what I have researched on them, they suppose to help for a number of health conditions, on some right up kidneys as well.

I suppose I'm just hoping really lol.:)