Protein in urine

[jhmom]

After my last urine test (culture) didn't show an infection my rheumy ordered a 24 hour urine test. I turned it in 1 1/2 weeks ago and got the results back today. It showed a lot of protein..... at this point I don't know much more than that and I am full of questions and confusion style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ermm.gif I just don't know what to think. I can only wonder what this means for me, how will they know what exactly the problem is? Will it be something they monitor or aggressively treat since I have been dx with SLE? I am already being treated with Imuran what other meds are used to treat the kidney's? I know only my doctor can answer these questions, I just had to get that off my chest. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/Thanx.gif for listening

Oh and on top of all this I went to my Endo Monday for check up on my thyroid, it's fine but my pulse rate was 100!!!!! He told me to keep an eye on it, so I have a BP / pulse monitor and I have been checking it often and my "resting pulse" has been 89-93!!! Just one more thing for me to deal with style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/faint.gif

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[Lily]

((((((((((((((((Stacie))))))))))))))) style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hugbetter.gif

When do you see the Rheumy? I hope its soon so that you dont get left hanging wondering and waiting. There are other things that can cause protein loss from kidneys but I know little about them. Angela may know more?

If they believe its kidneys themselves I imagine the next step will possibly be a biopsy, or a repeat of the 24hr urinalysis at least. Have they taken blood levels to check kidneys, if not then they will do that also. I never got that far as it was more chronic for me, up and down like a yo-yo and they increased the Imuran to max dose and it seemed to help. How much are you taking of it now?

love
Lily

[jhmom]

Thank you Lily,

I see the rheumy again July 27th but hopefully she or her nurse will call me tomorrow and give me some additional information, if they can. They have been checking my blood since I've been on Imuran (a year now) and nothing has showed up as far as my kidney's go. Right now I am on 50mg of Imuran.

I hope to find out something soon, the waiting drives me nutty!!!!!

[Lily]

Yes I hope they ring too, if not I would probably be on the phone to them because the waiting would drive me batty style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/foryou.gif

If you are only on 50mgs right now then you have a lot of leeway, thats good news if it is kidneys. 150mg made all the difference to me. 50mg did zilch unfortunately.

They can also check BUN and creatinine in bloods, creatinine clearance in urine etc. which is something they will do now, that previously they might not have bothered to if everything seemed ok.

love and hugs Stacie,

Lily

[alobreto]

Sorry I wasn't on sooner and I just saw this.

Protein in the urine is almost always an indication that the filtering membrane in the kidneys is damaged. Because the filter openings are wider with damage, protein can spill out into the urine. The only other cause I've seen listed for protein in urine is advanced multiple myeloma and that's something you'd be well aware of long before the protein showed up in urine.

Protein in urine is measured to check for damage from a variety of causes, such as high blood pressure both during pregnancy and also over a period of years of uncontrolled blood pressure, diabetes, systemic lupus, glomerulonephritis, and amyloidosis.

If swelling accompanies the spilling of protein it is called nephrotic syndrome and agressive measures should be undertaken to treat the underlying condition as well as the edema.

It sounds like the docs have the situation well in hand and are providing good direction. I wish you well!
Angela style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/flowers.gif

[pearless]

questions to you which would be the most important questions to the doctors is how is your blood pressure?? and are you on any type of ace inhibitor?

If your blood pressure was elevated and you were spilling lots of protein than that would not be a good sign
pearl

[jhmom]

Thank you Lily, Teri, Angela & Pearl.

My BP is low, usually runs 90's / 60's & I have no swelling. Just very tired, headaches and high pulse rate. My rheumy didn't call today as I hoped she would, so now it's more waiting for me style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wacko.gif

[Scottie]

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

I have no comment about the protein in the urine because I'm totally ignorant about it.

Just wanted to say that all my life my resting pulse rate has been between 80 and 95. (I'm 54) That's just the way my pulse seems to work. What's weirder is that I'm hypo-thyroid which is meant to give you a slow pulse - but not me.

I had a spell on anti-depressants and then my pulse was never less that 120 which I didn't like at all.

Hope they sort out what the problem is for you soon.

Take care - Scottie style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[goats]

Stacie,I don't have a clue about any of this. but I wanted to say hi. it has been awhile

I hope you find out soon and get the right meds
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[jhmom]

Thanks guys! My rheumy's office finally called, she said she would keep an eye on things and for me to keep taking my current meds. I wanted a little more information from her but didnt get it. I've been thinking about seeing a kidney specialist to see what he thinks.

Thanks again everyone style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/foryou.gif

[charlett]

HI. I would see the kidney specialist if you are concerned, They can run some more blodd test, but they most likely run them already. I hope all is well. Keep on top of this Charlett

[jhmom]

Well my rheumy called today, she explained things to me and said she would keep a close eye on this and we would do another 24 hour urine test in December. She also told me if I had swelling or my BP goes up to call her. I feel better about things now, talking to her really helped me.

Thanks again everyone, don't know what I would do without ya!!!! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/bigsmile.gif

[Pickles]

[size=3] style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/foryou.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/foryou.gif HI Stacie,

I'm sorry you're going thru all this. Years ago, she said I had protein too but she never told me to go to a urologist. I've been on so many different kinds of meds, can't remember if any of them were for kidneys. She did say I had kidney damage though but they check urine and blood work every time I go and she never says its worse.

I'm glad she called today. I was there today with my sister in law. She has RA,Vasculitis and heart problems. Doctor Kim wanted her to go to John Hopkins in Baltimore, MD and Dorthy said that was NOT an option. Dorthy is on her feet all day and her feet and legs are swollen really bad. She is the one who recommended Dr. Kim to me. THANK GOD!!!

I do hope you get better soon and no problem with the kidneys. I go back in October.

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[Lily]

Hi Stacie,

Trust is everything style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif She's keeping an eye on you and in the end thats what really matters style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hugbetter.gif

love
Lily

[jhmom]

Pickles, you thank God that your sister in law referred you to Dr. Kim and I thank him for you referring me to her style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/bigsmile.gif , she is wonderful! I will have another U/A done when I see her next month and then another a few months after that, so I trust she will monitor it closely. I hope your sister in law gets better soon! Thanks again Pickles! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/foryou.gif

Thank you Lily style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/foryou.gif