Advice

HI Joanne. A high recurrence of. UTIs can affect your legs and make them swell. Also, a kidney “infection” could also easily cause that, not necessarily kidney failure. Everybody is different, but nausea and confusion are not always a 100% indicator of kidney failure also.

the results you want to know from your doc are how your createnine clearance and BUN (blood urea nitrogen) are performing. Createnine should be between 88-128 but can’t remember bun off the top of my head.

when my legs first swelled up I had a kidney infection. I do have CKD stage V now, at a much later date but in my case the swelling was nothing to do with it. Now I have CKD v I have virtually no side effects at all.

oh, also get then to check your potassium level too. That can be a bad indicator.

good luck and let us know how you get on.

Oh, and one more sorry. Check your gfr (glomerular filtration rate) too. Another accurate function indicator.

Hi Joanne

I am not a kidney patient but my wife is. She is in CKD Stage 3, she has also more urine protein discharge than normal. Her both kidney shrank. Doc believe that her kidney disease started due to several UTIs. I agree with Matt. U should have several tests for ur intrinsic problem. First off u must see one good and experience nephrologist. It is common for the kidney patient the following tests, any doc will advise to do these tests;

Creatinine, GFR, Urine Protein, Microalbumin Creatinine ratio, creatinine Clarence, BUN, USG and overall all electrolytes like Potassium, Sodium, Magnasium, Chloride etc. These test are the key indicator of ur kidney function. 

Joanne,

I'd suggest what you're hearing from the others--you need a full renal panel run, if it hasn't been run already. That lab work-up will identify your creatinine level, your BUN, your eGFR, and your electrolytes like potassium and phosphorus. Does your primary care physician have patient portals where your labs are posted? If so you should be able to see all your results in your patient portal.

I also think you should see a nephrologist, just to get a solid evaluation of your current renal function. In addition to running blood work the nephrologist will likely check your urine. And, again, your nephrologist may have a patientbportal where your results will be posted.

If your doctor's don't have patient portals, you can request copies of all your lab reports be sent directly to you. You have to make this request at the lab when you are there for the blood draw. My lab has all my data available through a portal that I can access once I've set up an account.

I hope you're able to find doctors who will take time to provide some patient education during each visit. Unfortunately doctors who do that can be difficult to find.

Marj

Hi

Bilateral lower leg odema is more commonly due to hypertensive disorder, poor vascular circulation and or heart disease.

You really need to go back to your Doctor and ask what is going on.

Good luck

Have you had the test whereby they put blood pressure cuffs on both arms and both legs. I don't remember what it is called.

Also if you urinate and the toilet looks like soap suds there is a possibility that you are urinating too much protein which is a sign that your kidneys are not working.

When I had kidney disorders my legs actually leaked water. I was given water pills which helped a little but it caused me to pee more. Then I got claudication which caused more pain in my calves, but I still leaked so much water that my socks and lower pants legs were soaked with water. The other test was a 24 hour urine collection, it determines how much protein is coming out of your system.

I was given gen graf and predisone to try to prevent my kidneys going bad, howecer, I have 2 genetic kidney disorders, both discovered after a kidney biopsy. First is called Minimal change and the second is called FSGS, focal segmental glomerosclerosis.

Because of those discovered in 1989, it was until 2014, that my kidneys failed and I am now on dialysis. Due to a circulation problem, I am not eligible for a kidney transplant.

Have you gone to a kidney doctor a nephrologist. They deal with kidney disorders.

Years ago, my ANA was high, but it can cause a number of other disorders besides the kidneys.

I hope the doctors can figure out why you are experiencing multiple symptoms. Good luck

Since I have started this question, I have had two more UTI's and severe back pain. Fever and chills. My primary doctor told me to go to my obgyn, who was on vacation.  No one has done any tests in months. I went to the local urgent care to get treated for my UTI and when the Doctor from the urgent care saw how many I have had and the symptoms, she has me lined me for a urologist. I feel like no one has listened to me. But getting worse every other week. It's awful. Talking to doctors now is pure awful!