Arggg

I have kidney disease. My symptoms were fatigue and loss of appetite - nothing else. My kidneys were failing at the time, but they reversed a lot of the damage with prednisone (a steroid). I took it for a month, plus got injections of Epogen (a hormone depleted by kidney failure) and iron transfusions, about 5 of them, once a week. I also had one blood transfusion. They determined my condition with blood tests, a kidney biopsy, and an ultrasound. Kidney disease can also cause fluid retention, especially in your ankles.

I am functioning now, with a 51 GFR (stage 3) with normal iron levels and an 8-5 job (I wasn't sure I would ever again). I have to take Vitamin D supplements, but a lot of people do. I hope you are seeing a good nephrologist.

Kidney disease is caused by many things. Mine was caused by an allergy to ibuprofen, so staying away from ibuprofen and other NSAIDs (like aspirin and Aleve) keeps me well. Tylenol is my painkiller now. Other causes are diabetes and inherited kidney problems. Good luck! Whatever happens, you should be feeling better soon.

About Vitamin D: When my Vit. D levels were lower, I had muscle pain and weakness. When they came up a bit, I had less of it. I'm still working on bringing up the levels - it's a long process.