I have come across a few articles which claim that proteinuric renal disease (which is what I have) can be halted, and the effects reversed, by taking certain ACE inhibitors or ARBs. These medicines are usually taken to control high blood pressure but are apparently independently beneficial to the kidneys:
http://cme.medscape.com/viewarticle/577765%3Bmeddomainjsession=K8ttKyDhrwqY34pBFmp75zL6x32cy0K682fSZnnh23NZqTTpZQyw!224157304
I was taking Cozaar (losartan), an ARB for around 3 months and saw no improvement in kidney function, at least not in my creatinine levels. Maybe one of the other drugs would be beneficial? Time to try and see a nephrologist again (there are only two in my area. The one I've seen didn't inspire confidence, and the other is always out of town).
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Test results
Did another creatinine test today. Result about the same as always: 2.3 mg/dL (this should be about 1.5 mg/dL with perfectly functioning kidneys).
The fact that my creatinine levels have effectively remained unchanged despite all my "healthy" lifestyle changes, tells me either one of two things:
1. The healthy lifestyle, although undoubtedly improving my general health and lowering my blood pressure, has done nothing (so far) for my kidneys.
-or-
2. My kidneys are permanently damaged but thanks to my healthy lifestyle they are not worsening.
I'm planning to do another ultrasound in about a month which may shed some light on what's going on. I'm hoping it will show that the kidneys are no longer inflammed, just scarred, and this is the reason for their sub-optimal (though perfectly adequate) performance.
If the ultrasound shows no change I guess I'll get a biopsy to see if they can give me any more useful information... hopefully something like "don't worry we don't expect any progression, feel free to eat pizza again..."!
The fact that my creatinine levels have effectively remained unchanged despite all my "healthy" lifestyle changes, tells me either one of two things:
1. The healthy lifestyle, although undoubtedly improving my general health and lowering my blood pressure, has done nothing (so far) for my kidneys.
-or-
2. My kidneys are permanently damaged but thanks to my healthy lifestyle they are not worsening.
I'm planning to do another ultrasound in about a month which may shed some light on what's going on. I'm hoping it will show that the kidneys are no longer inflammed, just scarred, and this is the reason for their sub-optimal (though perfectly adequate) performance.
If the ultrasound shows no change I guess I'll get a biopsy to see if they can give me any more useful information... hopefully something like "don't worry we don't expect any progression, feel free to eat pizza again..."!
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