Worried sick about my Kidneys, need help - Kidney Disorders Message Board

Cher2005 · 08-25-2006, 08:17 PM

I am a diabetic who was diagnosed two years ago. I have eye problems from the diabetes but it is under control now with excellent fasting nimbers (low 80's) and aic of 5.2.
Regardless my eyes continue to worsen and now I find my kidney function is compromised. The doctor found a level of +3 fpr protein and +2 for blood in my urine.o
My bloodwork showed a high bun (38) and 1.5 creatinine. My hemogloblin was 9.5 which makes me anemic. I have been referred to a kidney specialist whom I will see on Thursday.
Are my numbers terrible? I am so scared that I have gone into kidney failure or something awful. Is there a treatment? I have read up on it but find no treatment other than trying to stabilize with blood pressure pills. My diastolic pressure is always around 70 or lower but the systolic fluctuates wildly. One day it can be 130 and then a few days later, 185. Today it was 160 and then 150 an hour later. My ankles are tending to swell and I found I was nasuas lunch last week. I take a mild diuretic and walk every day which helps the swelling.
I know the blood pressure is a poor sign for my kidneys. Wonder why the diastolic is always so low?
I would like to know what the kidney specialist is likely to do when he sees me. Please any help would be so appreciated.
In the meantime should I drink lots of water, can I have iced tea and continue my low dose aspirin regimen?
I looked up last years bloodwork and my bun was 20. I don;t know what has happened.

Cher2005 · 08-26-2006, 10:49 AM

I've been checking back and no answer yet. Can someone please let me know what my numbers mean? Is the 38 so high I will need dialysis? Is there a way to get these numbers in better shape?

Isis498 · 08-26-2006, 10:02 PM

I'm sorry no one has answered you, and I know you are worried. It does sound like you have a lot of health issues going on, but hopefully a good Dr. can sort them out and get you on the right track.

Honestly, I'm no expert, but yes, your numbers sound pretty high. The Creatinine for sure. The BUN as well. Your kidney function is compromised at this point, but I wouldn't jump the gun and say you are in kidney failure.

The fact that your blood pressure is high is not helping matters. But I'm sure one of the first things the Dr. will do is a lot of more detailed testing of your kidney function, lots of lab work, maybe an ultrasound, and I'm sure get you on meds to get your BP under control. There are several kinds of steps the Dr. can take to get your condition under control.

And drinking lots of water until then certainly won't hurt. The iced tea should be ok, just not a huge amount.

Keeping your glucose under tight control is imperative, and cutting way down on salt is a definite plus. I would stay on any treatments your current Dr. has you on already.

Your new Dr. can work with you and get you back on track and point you in the right direction to get you in the best health he/she can. Try not to worry too much until then.

Please come back and let us know what your Dr. says.

Good luck to you. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Cher2005 · 08-27-2006, 11:07 AM

Thanks so much for your reply! I am trying to remain calm, but you know how the mind works sometimes!
As far as my blood pressure goes, I am already on two medications, diovan and netaprolol. Also a diuretic added to the diovan. I have been reading about medications that aren't too good with kidney problems and diovan and vytorin (which I also take) are listed. U don't know what can be done about that though, because the vytorin is essential in keeping my cholestorol in check.
I guess the doctor wull have to adjusr my bp medicine as the systolic is always a problejm. The diastolic is fine at all times.
Well I guess I can worry till Thursday or try to get my mind on something else, so probably the latter is a better idea because I can't do much about any of it!
My glucose couldn't be better at 5.1 A1c. That;s why this is such a surprise.
Thanks

Cora1003 · 08-27-2006, 02:45 PM

Hi and sorry it took some time for me to answer this post. It is quite probably that what you have is diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage due to diabetes). Given your lab values, you are obviously in the early stages. The creatinine of 1.5 really isn't that bad. I was at 7 before I went on dialysis.

I'm sorry to say that at this point the damage that has been done between the diabetes and the hypertension probably cannot be undone. Because of the diabetes the kidney problems will probably progress. Here's the kicker. Your nephrologist may give you a time frame, but there is no way to predict how fast things will progress. It took over 20 years for me to get from mild protein in the urine to dialysis.

The better you take care of yourself the longer your kidneys will last. It is a good thing that you are seeing a nephrologist now. The earlier people see one, the better they typically do. Make sure that you get something done about your anemia. You will feel loads better.

Good luck and let us know what the doc says.

Cora