Is the supplement “kidney stuff” useful in preserving/improving kidney function?

I am unaware of any scientific studies in humans that have tested “kidney stuff” in the preservation or improving of kidney function.

I have a renal cyst and CKD. My last GFR was 70% but I also have SLE. Every lab test in the past year show potassium, sodium and protein levels are at the low border of normal. I have been having facial tingling and numbness for 6 months and a neurologist says it’s from migraines. I don’t have but maybe 1 migraine a month, but the face issues are several times a day. Any ideas?

I do not recognize your symptoms as a common finding in patients with kidney cysts or chronic kidney disease. I suggest that you continue to consult with your primary care physician in regards to diagnosis and treatment of your symptoms.

I am having erratic outs of sweats and coldness, going on 4 weeks, since being given Oxycodone pain medications from my surgery. I was on them for 7 days and stopped because of the severe sweating. Are the medications still in my kidneys and how are they flushed out so I am certain my kidneys don’t suffer damage?

Oxycodone undergoes degradation by the liver and then by-products of this degradation are cleared by the kidneys. The kidneys do not suffer damage from oxycodone or it’s degradation products, so I don’t think you have anything to worry about in regards to your kidney function.

From two months onwards, my urine passing yellow color and I am not active. There is no pain while urine passing and all of my side ribs are in light pain.

You will likely need an analysis of your urine and an examination by your physician. I am unable to provide a diagnosis based on the information that you provide. Further testing should be recommended by your physician after examination.

One year ago, I was hospitalized for ATN which doctors think resulted from Relafen for back pain (2 months). Doing well now and normal kidney functioning. Just read my DEXA and have osteoporosis L2. Otherwise in good health for 66 year old female. What medications should I take for osteoporosis? Should I have my creatinine monitored?

I commonly recommend that patients who have had an episode of acute kidney injury (AKI) and previously called acute tubular necrosis (ATN) have kidney functions monitored at least yearly. I cannot provide treatment recommendations without performing a complete history and physical examination. You should consult with your physician and make sure that he or she measures your current kidney function before recommending a treatment for osteoporosis. The doses of medication may have to be changed for your level of kidney function.

My father-in-law is in end stage kidney failure and dialysis has been recommended. He is refusing. Whats the prognosis? How long can he survive with out dialysis? Any other options?

I am unable to provide a prognosis without knowing a complete history and physical examination. Your father-in-law should live as well as he can, as long as he can. You may want to consult with a Palliative Care physician or a nephrologist about non-dialysis management of advanced Stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD). There are ways to manage patients without dialysis and control as many symptoms as possible.

My mother is a liver cancer patient and she just went thought acute renal failure. She has swelling in her feet and belly possibly due to fluid. How can we get rid of the fluid and improve the kidney function. Does she need medication? Is this serious? Should she seek medical attention ASAP?

I am unable to provide a diagnosis or recommend a treatment based on the information that you provide. I suggest that you consult with the physician who is managing her liver cancer to see if further consultation is necessary.

My mom has been on dialysis four years. She has a horrible itching rash that can not be controlled. We have been to the best skin doctor in our state, and have tired every itch creme, spray, etc. available. Someone told me that there is a rash associated with dialysis. I just want to get mom some relief, do you have any information?

Itching is a very difficult problem in dialysis patients. It sounds like you are already doing most of the things that are necessary. Her phosphorus should be under control. If the phosphorus is not controlled she should either change her diet or increase her dialysis. Finally, if all these conditions have been met, then occasionally exposing her skin to sunlight for about 15 to 20 minutes for 5 to 7 days and see if this improves her symptoms.

I have been drinking fountain Diet Coke everyday for about 10 years. I can consume 124oz. in a day and a half. If I stop drinking it now, can I save them. I hope I haven’t done any damage, I also hope you can tell me what to expect in coming times.

Drinking excessive amounts of soda pop has been associated with diabetes, kidney stones and bone disease. You should reduce or totally discontinue your use of soda pop. From the information that you provide, you are drinking as much as 3 liters of soda per day and this is excessive.

I underwent unilateral nephrectomy 7 years ago due to non-functioning kidney from UPJ obstruction. My serum creatinine is 1.3. On several occasion since surgery, preoperative value also was 1.3. I’ve no microalbuminuria. US Scan shows adequate compensatory hypertrophy. Why does it stay at 1.3 rather than going less than that?

You have lost the mass and glomerular filtration of one kidney. Hence, there is a decrease in kidney function with the loss of the kidney and even though there is a compensatory increase in the size of your remaining kidney, it does not completely replace the function of two kidneys. You should continue to carefully care for your remaining kidney.