Daily Archives: May 18, 2012

My daughter is 21 years old. She was diagnosed with kidney failure. What would be her plan of action? Would she need dialysis now? How would this effect her getting pregnant?

Posted on May 18, 2012 by National Kidney Foundation

She should consult with a nephrologist. I cannot give advice without more medical history, specific laboratory testing and performing a complete physical examination. Pregnancy is usually not possible is someone has complete kidney failure.

Posted in Chronic Kidney Disease, Dialysis, Kidney-Related Health Questions | Comments Off on My daughter is 21 years old. She was diagnosed with kidney failure. What would be her plan of action? Would she need dialysis now? How would this effect her getting pregnant?

My Mom is 87 years old. Her GFR is 11 and has been going down steadily for the last year. She is also showing symptoms of Uremia. I was wondering how long she might have. She is currently living in assisted living and I was thinking of moving her so she could have more care, but did not want to cause that disruption if she did not have long left.

Posted on May 18, 2012 by National Kidney Foundation

I am unable to estimate her remaining life. This is not for physicians to know. You should support her and ask her what she wants. Sometimes it is best to ask her primary care physician, who knows her best, these … Continue reading →

Posted in Chronic Kidney Disease, Kidney-Related Health Questions | Comments Off on My Mom is 87 years old. Her GFR is 11 and has been going down steadily for the last year. She is also showing symptoms of Uremia. I was wondering how long she might have. She is currently living in assisted living and I was thinking of moving her so she could have more care, but did not want to cause that disruption if she did not have long left.

My husband had a kidney transplant about 18 months ago and he will occasionally have a drink or two. Is it OK to drink alcohol after a kidney transplant? I worry about his health and I want to make sure he will be OK. What are the risks involved?

Posted on May 18, 2012 by National Kidney Foundation

He should discuss this with his transplant team. I recommend no more that two drinks per day for my male transplant patients. You should ask his transplant physician what he or she recommends.

Posted in Chronic Kidney Disease, Diet/Nutrition, Kidney-Related Health Questions, Transplantation | Comments Off on My husband had a kidney transplant about 18 months ago and he will occasionally have a drink or two. Is it OK to drink alcohol after a kidney transplant? I worry about his health and I want to make sure he will be OK. What are the risks involved?

My father is being treated by oncology for a gist that was removed one year ago. He started taking a tablet form of chemo last week. The nurse took a blood sample on the day and has since advised he has a high kidney function. What does this mean? We are aware his cancer is terminal but we don’t have a time frame and that’s OK. He has metastasis of the liver. He has diabetes and has had two previous triple bypasses. So I’m wondering if its all related? I don’t panic easily. I just need a simple lay person style explanation to help keep him informed and reduce his stress level between visits to doctor and consultants.

Posted on May 18, 2012 by National Kidney Foundation

I am not able to make a diagnosis based on the information presented. I recommend that you discuss this with his oncologist. I would need more information about the blood test and need to know his history and perform a … Continue reading →

Posted in Kidney-Related Health Questions | Comments Off on My father is being treated by oncology for a gist that was removed one year ago. He started taking a tablet form of chemo last week. The nurse took a blood sample on the day and has since advised he has a high kidney function. What does this mean? We are aware his cancer is terminal but we don’t have a time frame and that’s OK. He has metastasis of the liver. He has diabetes and has had two previous triple bypasses. So I’m wondering if its all related? I don’t panic easily. I just need a simple lay person style explanation to help keep him informed and reduce his stress level between visits to doctor and consultants.

If you need to have 3 months of high creatinine levels, do you have to be tested monthly or weekly? How many weeks constitute a months measurement? Is 1.3 or 1.4 the top of the reference range for African Americans?

Posted on May 18, 2012 by National Kidney Foundation

The definition of chronic kidney disease (CKD) as suggested by the National Kidney Foundation is to have an abnormal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) for at least 3 months. The three months is to make sure that the abnormal kidney … Continue reading →

Posted in Chronic Kidney Disease, GFR, Kidney-Related Health Questions | Comments Off on If you need to have 3 months of high creatinine levels, do you have to be tested monthly or weekly? How many weeks constitute a months measurement? Is 1.3 or 1.4 the top of the reference range for African Americans?

My husband was just told he needs to be tested to see if he needs dialysis. What kind of test is it and what should he expect? He has Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and serious atherosclerosis, where he has had several surgeries.

Posted on May 18, 2012 by National Kidney Foundation

He should at least be tested with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and a test for urine protein. I would have to know the rest of your husband’s complete medical history and perform a physical examination in order to … Continue reading →

Posted in Chronic Kidney Disease, Dialysis, GFR, Kidney-Related Health Questions | Comments Off on My husband was just told he needs to be tested to see if he needs dialysis. What kind of test is it and what should he expect? He has Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and serious atherosclerosis, where he has had several surgeries.

Left kidney 86.3/right at 13.7%. I just found this out last October. No one knows what happened to it. I have frequent infections and I have seen two different nephrologists and I’m supposed to watch just my salt intake but urologist says also protein and sugars. Who do I believe? Any suggestions?

Posted on May 18, 2012 by National Kidney Foundation

I do not advocate for protein restriction when you have a single functioning kidney. I would follow the advice of the nephrologist.

Posted in Chronic Kidney Disease, Diet/Nutrition, Kidney-Related Health Questions | Comments Off on Left kidney 86.3/right at 13.7%. I just found this out last October. No one knows what happened to it. I have frequent infections and I have seen two different nephrologists and I’m supposed to watch just my salt intake but urologist says also protein and sugars. Who do I believe? Any suggestions?

I am a 75 year old female. I have stage 3 CKD, creatinine is .93, GFR 59. The doctor told me not to take anti-inflammatory drugs. I seldom did. I have a cyst on the right kidney, he stated it was small. My weight is 168 height, 5’2. I am trying to find the right diet for myself. I take only blood pressure med. Lisinopril 10 mg. Blood pressure is usually 140/79. My sister had stage 2 with cysts at age 73, was sent to a kidney specialist. Had no other meds, she passed at 74. Do I need to see a specialist? Are Chinese supplements okay to take? Any info will be appreciated. I don’t drink coffee.

Posted on May 18, 2012 by National Kidney Foundation

You have early Stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD). I do not usually recommend that you see a kidney specialist until your estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is less than 30 milliliters per minute per 1.73 meters squared. You should … Continue reading →

Posted in Chronic Kidney Disease, Diet/Nutrition, GFR, Kidney-Related Health Questions | Comments Off on I am a 75 year old female. I have stage 3 CKD, creatinine is .93, GFR 59. The doctor told me not to take anti-inflammatory drugs. I seldom did. I have a cyst on the right kidney, he stated it was small. My weight is 168 height, 5’2. I am trying to find the right diet for myself. I take only blood pressure med. Lisinopril 10 mg. Blood pressure is usually 140/79. My sister had stage 2 with cysts at age 73, was sent to a kidney specialist. Had no other meds, she passed at 74. Do I need to see a specialist? Are Chinese supplements okay to take? Any info will be appreciated. I don’t drink coffee.

What can I do if my left kidney has a 9×5 cm calculus in the interior pole?

Posted on May 18, 2012 by National Kidney Foundation

You should see a urologist to have an opinion about how to have that very large stone removed. It is mostly likely an infection stone.

Posted in Kidney Stones, Kidney-Related Health Questions | Comments Off on What can I do if my left kidney has a 9×5 cm calculus in the interior pole?

I have a family history for bad kidneys and stones. I got my first stone at 16. I grew up having bladder infections all my life. I’m 42 years old now and this past year and a half I’ve had one pcnl and 5 lithotripsies and one ureteroscopsy due to golf ball size stones to clusters of stones. I’ve been battling constant stones and my kidney has been drained for pus. My urologist says he has never seen so much pus in all his years in practice. I have stones in me right now. He’s not sure why I’m having sharp kidney pains lasting a few seconds to a few minutes but it happens at least once an hour. He says he don’t think its cause of the stones I have now. I need serious help here! My stones aren’t from eating anything. Every time I give urine tests there is always faint blood and an infection. I tried going to another urologist but they don’t take my insurance. Do you know anything about the pains I get every hour?

Posted on May 18, 2012 by National Kidney Foundation

I am not able to make a diagnosis based on the information presented. You may have to consult with both a urologist to clear you of your present stones and also a nephrologist to keep you from developing future stones. … Continue reading →

Posted in Kidney Stones, Kidney-Related Health Questions | Comments Off on I have a family history for bad kidneys and stones. I got my first stone at 16. I grew up having bladder infections all my life. I’m 42 years old now and this past year and a half I’ve had one pcnl and 5 lithotripsies and one ureteroscopsy due to golf ball size stones to clusters of stones. I’ve been battling constant stones and my kidney has been drained for pus. My urologist says he has never seen so much pus in all his years in practice. I have stones in me right now. He’s not sure why I’m having sharp kidney pains lasting a few seconds to a few minutes but it happens at least once an hour. He says he don’t think its cause of the stones I have now. I need serious help here! My stones aren’t from eating anything. Every time I give urine tests there is always faint blood and an infection. I tried going to another urologist but they don’t take my insurance. Do you know anything about the pains I get every hour?