Kidney function continuing to plummet

Thank you for your reply, John.  I assume you are in the US as I didn't recognise the names of the pills.  I've now looked them up and found that norvasc is marketed under the name Amlodipine in the UK; micardis is Telmisartan; and physiotens is Moxonidine.  As far as Amlodipine (Novasc) is concerned, I had the same reaction as you: very swollen lower legs/ankles and a nasty rash around the ankles that was diagnosed as varicose eczema.

​The problem for me is that I just have a sole kidney, having had the right one removed when I was a youngster.  The remaining one has served me amazingly well for very many years up until the time I succumbed to an auto immune, inflammatory illness that no-one was able to diagnose for almost a year.  I never ever take medication unless absolutely essential, but during the most painful period of that year I took Ibuprofen just to get me off the bed and to hospital appointments by ambulance and wheelchair.  Towards the end of that year, and following blood tests, my GP rang me say that I had chronic kidney disease.  This had been caused by either the untreated inflammation in my body or the Ibuprofen itself.  There followed a series of family health scares which probably was the cause of my blood pressure going through the roof and unfortunately it has proved a problem to treat for the last couple of years.  I was left far too long on this latest pill (Bisoprolol) without being monitored so missed the large drop in kidney function.  I've taken the first of my new pills today (Doxazosin), have taken my blood pressure once and it did appear to have reduced already.  I will follow your example and monitor my BP more frequently at home now - to be honest I had avoided taking it myself as seeing the high readings each time was just making me panic.  I apologise for the lengthy post! 

aidi, I do appreciate your advice and will check my BP more frequently, trying not to panic when it remains stubbornly high.  Have a blood test form and telephone appointment with GP in about 10 days time.  Couldn't get a surgery appointment for 5 weeks!

​I'm so sorry to hear that your daughter has had such problems, and at such a young age  - it sounds as though she must have been born with low functioning kidneys.  I do hope that the transplant has proved successful and that she is gradually getting back some normality in her life.  Lots of good luck wishes.

Hello martinalkh, and thank you for your very interesting post, although I'm sorry to hear of your nasty experience due to antibiotic treatment.  I guess the steroid, Prednisolone, was prescribed for you as I believe it is known to be helpful in allergic reactions.  Not sure it would do the same for me due to my kidney problem having a different cause.  I have experienced being on Prednisolone for over 5 years for an autoimmune, inflammatory, illness, but happily I have been Pred-free for over 3 years now, and fingers remain crossed on that front as well as the CKD front.  In fact, it may well have been that illness or a few months on Ibuprofen that caused my reducing kidney function in the first place.  No high BP is adding to the worsening situation. 

​Lots of good luck wishes to you for an increase from eGFR 44 in your next blood results on 10th December.

PS:  Are you able to give me the name of the kidney Prof to whom you refer, please?

Hi Mrs 0,

The kidney prof is Professor Davies based at the UHNS Royal Stoke based in Stoke-On-Trent, I just got back from seeing him today and found that my egfr has dropped to 35 😯 I am now booked in for another CT scan to see if there are any changes that can be seen and also I am dropping down from my 10mg pred to 7.5 for a fortnight then 5 for a fortnight etc until I'm off them, he doesn't want to do a biopsy unless necessary as both kidneys are now inefficient, but if the egfr continues to drop then he will have no choice....to say im disappointed is an understatment😯

Hi martinalkh, thank you so much for the details of your Prof - alas a little too far for me here in the South East.

​I can so understand your disappointment following today's appointment, especially as your eGFR had gradually increased from 15 right up to 44 at your previous appointment.  What a pity that steroids aren't more like sweeties as the high 30mg dose seemed to produce an improving eGFR, alas it isn't possible to remain on such a high dose for too long.  If your eGFR was to remain at 35, that wouldn't cause too much concern, but I can well understand your worry is what is happening between now and your next appointment.  That is exactly the same boat as I am in at the moment with not knowing what the latest blood pressure pill is doing to my kidney function.  At least it seems to be having some good effect on my blood pressure at the moment but I'm becoming aware of my heart beating quite strongly and my pulse has increased to 85.  Have emailed the renal consultant for some reassurance.  I haven't had any scans or biopsies - suppose it's because they feel sure the problem rests with my high blood pressure.....plus I'm probably getting too old to throw money at!  Chin up and lots of good luck wishes to you. 

Mrs O, I'm 55 and I expect to have money spent on me now as if I would if I was 85 no one is too old to have money spent on them, never think that, like most people I've worked all my life and except for being off work sick now I continue to do do, never think like that, when went in to hospital in October my heart was racing I was having palpitations and I felt as if I couldn't get my breath, I was told by my renal team that it was because the kidneys can cause high blood pressure as high blood pressure can affect the kidneys, its a vicious circle, since October ive had 3 CT scans, an ECG (because I was concerned about the breathlessness and palpitations) a chest X ray and 2 Ultrasound scans, they are doing their best to try and find out whats wrong with my kidney as well as the known allergic reaction, I can only praise this team at North Staffs Royal Stoke, I think if your team would give you the ECG and other tests it would rule out other things and put your mind at rest, (unless they know exactly what the problem is of course) prof Davies said he wants to make sure that there arent a couple of problems running together as one problem can mask another, do you often feel tired? As I now feel more tired than ever and am getting flank pain on both sides and under the left rib, also in the last month ive had dreadful cramps in my feet, legs and hands, .. also do you get many kidney and UTIs? which get quite often, its lovely to chat with you by the way 😊

martinalkh, I had endless UTI's in childhood but they stopped after having my kidney removed.  I did have a severe one about 12-18 months ago, but it was very short-lived and I'm hoping not to have any more!  I do get tired, falling asleep easily when I sit down to watch tv, but it's probably my own fault as I go to bed late - that's on the cards for a New Year's resolution!

​Yes your renal team has got it right with the kidneys being a possible cause of high blood pressure whilst high blood pressure itself can adversely affect the kidneys.  I've been told by my GP that I'm between a rock and a hard place.

​If my present side effects from my new blood pressure pill continue, I will certainly be asking for a heart check at least.  Meanwhile, I've emailed the renal consultant - no reply yet - and I've written a letter to my GP which I will hand it at the surgery tomorrow.

​I do hope in your case your tests will reveal something that can be treated to get you on an even keel - at least it sounds as though you are having the very best care.