stage 2 kidney failure

[Tallulah]

Hi All, I haven't posted for quite awhile now as life has been crazy. I still do not have a diagnosis but have many symptoms. My lastest that is quite worrrying for me is stage 2 kidney failure. I asked the g.p what could be causing this and he told me that he didn't know. He has referred to an internist who has recommended we just moniter it every 6 months. My blood pressure did rise about a year ago and I was put on beta blockers which seem to have done their job. My Dr. told me that he wouldn't have put me on the pills for blood pressure alone as it wasn't that high but I was having terrible migraines everyday so that is the reason why he prescribed them. I don't think the blood pressure has caused this in the kidneys then.
My list is growing but still no diagnosis and my ANA remains 1:160 homogenous & speckled. I'm afraid I'm going to die before they find out what's wrong with me, I feel that bad. Just wondered if anyone else was diagnosed with kidney failure before their diagnosis of lupus. Thanks for any imput,
Hugs, Tallulah

[rriffee@yahoo.com]

Hi Tallulah: I was diagnosed with kidney failure and still at the time did not have a diagnosis of Lupus. I was on dialysis for a year and came off in 2000 and have managed to stay off since then. My other symptoms did'nt appear for about six months afterwards. So finally they decided that was wrong with me all along. So I actually had symptoms for about ten yrs and no one knew what it was. I'm much better now and my nephrologist checks me every 6 months also. So you take care and feel better soon. Mary Jane

[Lily]

(((((((((Tallulah)))))))))))) nice to see you again, but not under these circumstances style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hugbetter.gif

Did they diagnose your kidney stage by biopsy? What made them arrive at this conclusion that it was stage 2 kidney failure and are they sending you to a Nephrologist, I personally would want one on my team.

love
Lily

[Tallulah]

Hi Mary Jane, That is so wonderful that you were able to come off of the dialysis. Was it the medication that you were put on that helped? It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who has been in this quandry. It might not be lupus that is causing mine but I have most of the symptoms of lupus, just not enough yet for a diagnosis. My Dr.s have told me that they are waiting till my ANA goes higher??? Thanks for your imput.
Hi Lilly, It's good to talk with you again. I did not have a biopsy. It was through blood and urine tests that I was told it was stage 2. I had high creatinine a couple of times and then the GF something(sorry can't remember the last letter) was at 73 which means it's in stage 2. I asked the Dr. about a nephrologist and was told they don't usually refer you here until you are stage 4. Personally I think that's a little late, don't you? Take care,
Hugs, Tallulah style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/Thanx.gif

[Lily]

Hi Tallulah style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

I'm afraid I dont know enough about it, but I think I'd be concerned and probably want a second opinion. I did however find this article on GFR which explains it a bit better:

http://www.kidney.org/kidneydisease/ckd/knowGFR.cfm#chart

Is the internist taking ALL your symptoms into account? Or is he just looking at preventing a disaster? I'd certainly want it looked at again, because like you I'd be wondering WHY my kidneys are in chronic failure and whether there is something they can do to prevent the progression.

I'm not sure about whether you are currently seeing a Rheumy? If you are then what does he think about all this in light of your history?

love
Lily

[Tallulah]

Thank you so much Lily for your thoughts. I was thinking along the same lines also. I have not seen the internist, my g.p has been speaking with him about my case. I have not seen a rheumy for a couple of years after I was dismissed as having fibro. I wonder sometimes whether my g.p is trying to run the show himself. I was told to come back if I had more symptoms as the rheumy was a little confused as to why I had frank arthritis and what was causing it. I have never been referred back by my g.p. I am certainly going to keep on to him about this. I wonder if this is why my eyelids swell so. Thanks again,
Hugs, Tallulah

[Lily]

(((((((Tallulah))))))))))

If thats the case then I really think that you should be referred back to the Rheumy, he will take this seriously and try to find out a cause. My GP just does what the Lupie doc says nowadays style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif And thats a better position to be in because the Lupie doc knows far more than my GP does about the link between these symptoms.

Good luck and I really dont see how he can refuse you a referral given your past problems and now this. Just say you think in view of this and whats gone on you would like to see the Rheumy again style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

Its a bit strange for the Internal doc to be liasing with your GP and not seeing you. I guess the GP is covering his backside by doing this, but the Internist is also covering his, as he hasnt actually 'seen' you then he cant be help responsible for anything. Face to face meeting with the Rheumy will all records and results will yield some action I think.

love
Lily

[rriffee@yahoo.com]

Hi Tallulah: I just read you answer to me. In answer to your question about what meds I was on for my kidneys. None. I just got better on my own. Which is almost unheard of. Take care Mary Jane P. s. I would want a nephrologist to be watching my kidneys