Kidney disease symptoms

[gwenllian111]

Hi

Please excuse me for posting this topic again.

I have had a 'UTI' since saturday, feeling poorly, frequent urination, (although not much in terms of volume), nausea, and exteme fatigue, weight loss. I've tried three different types of anti biotic from the gp, but nothing works.

The GP said I have some protein, but nothing else.

Everyone says to drink a lot of water - I have done so, but have hardly any urine output.

I feel exhausted. My kidney function was fine last week, when I had my bloods done. Can kidney function drop this quickly?

Thanks

Gwen

[Pete]

Hi Gwen,

With the nausea and malaise, you may have the flu or a virus. With your possible UTI, be watchful for painful urination or visible blood in your urine.

Hope you feel better soon.

[JeanMarie]

Gwen,
Yes, kidney function can go down hill very, very quickly. Am I reading this right-you've had 3 antibiotics since Saturday, 5 days? I've no medical training but that would seem a strange way of prescribing.

In my case if I start showing protein in urine, my docs move to treat very quickly--protein is generally kidney not uti. We are all different, so maybe you do just have a uti-but do you have a rheumy or someone else who handles your GPA, I think you should give them a call.

Be well,
Jean Marie

[drz]

I would want a consult with a nephrologist if I had those symptoms. One can lose kidney function very quickly and it can easily become permanent. The fear of losing your kidney function is one of greatest fears for anyone with GPA who still has functioning kidneys, especially if they have been damaged before. My doctors have told me one can have a silent flare that only attacks your kidneys and then you may not notice any symptoms till it is too late. I think blood in urine would be a big red flag in this case but small amounts are not visible to the eye but do show up on a dip stick test or regular lab work for urine sample.

[mishb]

Gwen,
I hope you are wrong and it is just an infection.........you certainly don't need anything else to add to your list :sad:

I don't know anything about the kidney issues but I do think you should contact your main specialist as suggested above.

Take care

[Debbie C]

I would also be careful about taking so many different antibiatics..that's how I got c-diff and I thought I was going to die from that..
But are there any other systems anyone knows of that this is going to yr kidneys ?

[Sangye]

Gwen, yes you can lose kidney function that fast. I hope you've contacted your doctor. Decreased urine output is a major red flag. PLEASE get to the hospital immediately if you haven't already.

[mark]

I lost my kidneys to GPA in less than a week. I am in a flare now and even with Cellcept at 2000 mg a day (my personal maximum due to white cell depletion) and Prednisone at 60mg a day I was losing 1% function a day. As for antibiotics, many can damage kidneys but when you mix three, which is rarely done, the half lives (some can be well over thirty days) of all substances in the mediation, including preservative and inert ingredients, mush be considered. And then, on top of that, mix in your GPA medications and it becomes a daunting task to determine what can be given. And when giving multiple antibiotics, even the sequence that you take them can make a difference. My physicians have me go to the emergence department at any sign of infection. When it comes time to select an antibiotic it is up to the pharmacy to do the research as to what can be safely prescribe and that can take up to two hours to accomplish. Then with me, the pharmasist will make a guess at what my Warfarin level needs to be adjusted to. I hope some day to tell my long story in an educational way but for now it must wait. Part of that story includes five antibiotics in twelve hours and the procedure that they followed in the intensive care unit.

[HopeinTN]

I hope it's not your kidney's heading south. I too have had these same symptoms with bladder spasms, blood and protein and it was an infection. Weggies may have to use different antibiotics since we have been on them so long (most of us). However, you can't diagnose yourself. Have your specialist refer you to a urologists and if it's your kidneys they can get you in with a nephrologist. Good luck and feel good soon!

[jola57]

Some docs prescribe different antibiotics to broaden the spectrum of treatment, I used to get uti frequently but with current meds I haven't had one in a few years. Check for stones or sand in kidneys, they can produce same symptoms and if a stone is blocking a ureter that's the low urine output. Like we always have to do iF oUR docs are not from Mayo, keep asking for tests to confirm diagnosis. Hope you feel better soon, I remember how excruciating the pain could be. Sending warming thoughts to you . I used to do sitz baths with camomile tea, the warmth helped with pain

[mishb]

Gwen,

I hope you are okay.
You have disappeared off facebook, so I can't message to see how you are.

We would all love to know that everything is okay and that your kidneys are functioning correctly.

We will continue praying for you and I hope you are just relaxing and enjoying the festive season.

[Sangye]

Any news from Gwen? Worried about her. :sad:

[pberggren1]

I'll send her a message on facebook too. I have not seen her on there for a while either.

[pberggren1]

Now I can't find her.

[gwenllian111]

Hi guys! I am here!

All OK! Turned out I had a kidney infection, but seems to be ok now.

Just before Christmas, I was invited to London's National Institute of Clinical Excellence, to be a patient representative for those with Tracheal Stenosis. I talked proudly about our forums there, and I thought of you guys.

I have offered to start a charity for airway problems, so that even those affected with WG/Tracheal Stenosis can be funded to receive the best treatment - wherever they are in the world.

A lot to think about. As a child, I always knew I wanted to help people - tried nursing, and occupational therapy - but my health never allowed me to do it. But now, instead of fighting against my illness and hating it - I can see how I can use it to others advantage. :thumbsup:Sorry if this all sounds silly, but i'm so full of enthusiasm about it.

Health wise - still struggling with the arthritis and fatigue, but all else seems relatively stable for now. Norovirus is rife in the UK, and i'm praying I don't catch that because I always end up in the ER with dehydration when I catch stomach bugs.

Thank you so much for your concern - I don't deserve it!

Happy new year everyone XXX

[mishb]

I'm so happy everything worked out well and the kidneys are okay.......and of course you deserve our worrying.

What a wonderful opportunity for you to help others and it doesn't sound silly at all. We can call you our forum TS Ambassador :thumbsup:
I look forward to hearing more about it.


Take care of yourself and I hope you have a wonderful, pain free, 2013

[gwenllian111]

I'm so happy everything worked out well and the kidneys are okay.......and of course you deserve our worrying.

What a wonderful opportunity for you to help others and it doesn't sound silly at all. We can call you our forum TS Ambassador :thumbsup:
I look forward to hearing more about it.


Take care of yourself and I hope you have a wonderful, pain free, 2013


Thank you so much! And you too X

[pberggren1]

Gwen, there is nothing silly about that at all. It is a great idea. And yes, you deserve it.

[Sangye]

I love that idea, Gwen! Good for you for turning lemons into lemonade. (Or lemon cookies, even better!)

You are deserving of our concern as much as anyone. We love you. :hug1:

[gwenllian111]

Aw you guys! I love my WG family. I don't know where i'd be without you all X

[Jaha]

I am so glad that your kidneys looking good now. That plan you have for helping others is so great! Good luck with your new found purpose in life.:thumbsup:

[gwenllian111]

Thanks everyone!!!

I'll keep you all informed as to progress X