[annie1971]

hi all

i havent been on for a while as i have had problems with my pc but would realy appreciate some advice as i am worried sick.

My official diagnosis is sjogrens but thats another story. Anyway i have been having my bloods checked every 6 months and started plaq back in may. My first lot of blood tests (before starting plaq) said my creatinine was 68 which was fine but my efgr was 60??. My docs said this was all fine and didnt seem at all worried. I then had some more 4 months after starting plaq and my creatinine was 77 with egfr of 60 still. My other tests were fine except for a slightly raised crp, urea and phospate, also aos?? im so worried that something early may be going on with my kidneys but the doctor says he is sure they are fine but will do some more (the last ones were done 6 months ago). I am considering paying for a private scan as i know things cant always be picked up on blood tests. What else could cause these results and is it normal for the creatinine to raise slightly on plaq? please could someone give me some views or advice..

many thanks:sad:

 

[LolaLola]

Annie, I am sorry I don't know about this myself. I am sure other people will answer you soon.
x Lola

 

[Maia]

The best way to detect kidney problems is by routine monitoring of blood and urine. If you are not leaking any protein in your urine, or only very small amounts (up to +1) then your eGFR is not too concerning especially if it stays stable. I've had a few eGFR's very close to yours/slightly lower, and my doctors are also not too concerned and have only placed me on an ACE inhibitor at very low dose. I had a +1 protein reading on a urine test a few times and it was only when that happened in addition to a GFR in the upper 50s that I was placed on any medication.

The plaquenil is almost certainly not responsible for your eGFR rate or creatinine increase - they are directly related to each other through a simple equation. A more likely cause would be NSAID medication or age (although I'm guessing you're under 40 by your screen name so not too likely to be due to age in your case). I went off all NSAID medications too... and have gotten my GFR back up to the mid 60's. Still not great, but also still not too concerning. As long as it doesn't continue to drop, then you're probably OK.

Paying for a scan... will probably do very little to provide additional information. I would not do it if I was in your shoes... Talk to your doctor(s) about any possible benefit before paying for it unless it would be easy for you to pay for. The rise you've seen in your creatinine is very small... the number to really pay attention to is the GFR.

Hope this helps.

 

[KarolH]

Like LolaLola I do not know much about this but Maia sounds like she is very familiar with this and has given good advice.

I hope you get along ok and talk to your doctor about your concerns.

Be well and stay strong.:wink2:

 

[Lily]

Hi Annie,

It's good your GFR hasn't fallen that's a positive sign as Maia mentioned.

The normal ranges for Creatinine for females aged 18-59 in the UK are 0.6 - 1.1 mg/dL or thereabouts (it might vary a little from lab to lab. ) I am presuming your results were measured on a different scale or you just haven't put in the decimal point. Either way a reading of 77 is still well within normal range - they wouldn't worry unless you went over 110. Each time they test we may get in a slightly different number but as long as it falls within normal range then it's ok. Try not to worry.

love
Lily

 

[greenhaggis]

Hi Annie,

Did wonder where youd gone!!

Cant answer your question, however Maia and Lily have given some good advice!

Take care!

Lesley

 

[annie1971]

update

hi all

just wanted to update you all. I did have my bloods checked again and my creatinine reads at 72 now which gives me an efgr of around 79 if the calculator you can use on line is anything to go by. I have made an appt with my dr to discuss any worries i have as i am having trouble interpreting my results but i will let you all know how i get on. many thanks for your support and comments

annie

 

[Maia]

It sounds like you have nothing to worry about I wonder if that "60" you had seen was actually a >= 60 which implies kidneys are functioning at an acceptable level. Good idea to talk to your doctor about it though at your next visit!