Hi. I am new to this message board. I have a 71/2 yr. old son that was diagnosed about 31/2 yrs ago with IGM nephropathy. He isn't sick all the time, but he does loose large amounts of protein in his urine (3-4+)at times. I have also heard that there is a disease called IGM mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. Does anyone know if that is the same thing as IGM nephropathy? There are SO many different kinds of kidney diseases..sometimes it gets confusing what is what. Also, they are concerned because his cholesterol level is very high...but the nephrologist said he doesn't think it is because of his diet. He doesn't eat a lot of high cholesterol foods, and he is small for his age...only about 48 pounds. Does anyone know if the high cholesterol is tied with the kidney disease? Sorry about such a long post, but I am a very concerned mother. I also know that IGM is one of the rarer kidney diseases, so there is not a WHOLE lot of information available on the topic. Thank for any and all responses! Susan

Hi- I completely understand how your feeling. My son is 11 yrs old. He has been passing 2+ to 3+ protein now for almost 2yrs. We have gone through testing w/2 different pediatricians and then finally sent to the neph- who said he had to start all over on the testing so that he could build a base. I still don't have any info. One of the ped. even called to ask me if they had diagnosed him with kidney disease yet. I have found it very hard to find information on the diff. types of kidney disease. They all jump to end stage renal with no info on patients that could be in early stages. Please- I need to ask what test finally determined a diagnosis for your son? They say they are going to start him on meds. July 28 when we go back. Feel free to email me at sharonlunsford2002@yahoo.com

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Hello again. I received an email showing that someone named Sharon had responded to this 1st post i have written. But when I came to the sight, there was NO message. Not sure what happened, but Sharon, if you could please re-submit your reply to my first post, that would be great!! Thank you, Susan

Hi- I don't know why it didn't show- unless it's because I put my email address in.? Anyway I understand how your feeling, there only seems to be information on chronic kidney failure and end stage renal failure- nothing in between. My son is 11 and has been passing 1+-3+ protein for the past 2 years and I can't seem to narrow it down to anything. He has been to 2 diffrent pediatricians and finally sent to a neph who said he had to start all over and get his own base of tests and they won't give me a clue. One of the peds. even called me at home to find out how he was and did they diagnose him w/ kidney disease yet. What test did they finally do that led them to a final diagnosis? They have mentioned doing a biopsy soon and they are going to start him on meds on July 28. Also, my son is very overweight now, he is 5'4 and 180 pounds. So- I don' know if that has anything to do with it or not. I did type the exact name of your sons disease into the search engine and got a lot of info.But if your like me you've read everything you can and it still doesn't tell enough. Sharon

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Hi sfuzebear! I saw that you are from Flint, MI and I wondered if you have found a nephrologist that you like for your son. I am seeing a doctor in Flint, but don't really think this person knows a whole lot about kidney diseases...just wondered if you know of a good one!

Oh, and to answer your question...I was told that often a person's cholesterol level does get high with kidney disease...so yes, they are related.

Hello Rorie (is that correct?) This is Susan, and nice to "meet you"...lol! To answer your question, I am not seeing a specialist here in Flint, but rather in Ann Arbor, at the U of M Hospital there. Do you know where that is at? They are EXCELLENT, and I have been VERY pleased with the overall care of the pediatric nephrology clinic/staff. Did you say that your son also is having kidney problems? If so, can I ask what is wrong? Were you referred to a specialist here in Flint, and if so, can I ask who it is that you are seeing? I am curious, because, if you were referred, I am just surprised that they did not refer you to Ann Arbor. I enjoy being able to talk with other parents who are going through some of the same things that we are, so feel free to email me if you would like to. My email address is sfuzebear@aol.com. I look forward to hearing from you---oh and thanks for the info on the cholesterol. The specialist had kind of led me in the direction that they THOUGHT the high cholesterol was due to the whole kidney disease. But we go back in October to discuss it in full length. Susan