I saw my Rheumy Wednesday and she told me my kidney function tests were a little low (this has happened before but this is the first time she commented on them specifically) She said taking all the NSAIDS that I do can cause it so she wants me to stop them.
I have been having trouble with my heels (plantar fasciitis) and she wants me to get steroid injections in them rather than doing the conservative NSAIDS, PT, orthotics that I have been doing). She said she thinks they are an isolated incident and not related to the Sjogren's arthritis. I guess that is good. I have an appointment with the Ortho for the injections on the 30th.
I am off the NSAIDS now so we'll see how I do between now and then. I am already more stiff and sore and it's only been a couple days. I go back to see her in July. Hope I can make it that long!
Anyone else ever have low kidney function? She said my Creatinine is OK but the eGFR was low and has been for the last couple visits, she's been watching it. My BP is OK so I am not overly worried right now. and all my antibodies, sed rate, crp etc are OK except for a high ANA still. Hopefully being off the NSAIDS will take care of it. Any thoughts?
Nancy
Im waiting for my first blood tests results sinse taking so much NSAIds. I did hear that they can affect liver and kidneys. I hope you find some relief soon.
Luna
I have been taking NSAIDS pretty regularily since 2002 and am just now having the low kidney function. I just hope we caught it in time that it's not permanent damage! Anyone know if other pain meds are OK to take instead of the NSAIDs as afar as kidney function goes? I forgot to ask my Rheumy and I think she was thinking the steroid shot would take care of the heel pain, but that isn't until the 30th...I really am not sure I can go that long, I'm already hobbling around!
Nancy
Nancy, ask a pharmacist for advice on meds to take instead of your usual ones.
Meds ae not to be played around with, and are given here as a guide only,
always seek professional advice on meds.. Dolly
thanks Dolly,
I know to clear things through my doctors, this heelpain just keeps getting worse though - I guess I didn't realize how much the NSAIDS were really doing. I got out my kinesiotape and taped my foot last night it was hurting so bad and it seems some better this morning so hope that will help.
I started reading more about steroid injections for plantar fasciitis and everything I read said they usually don't do this because of complication of fat pad necrosis on the heelpad, and possible heelcord rupture of the achilles.....I don't think I want to do this. I am thinking I might need to get a night splint too. I tried taking tylenol but it didn't really do much. I am stiff all over now.
Does anyone know, if the kidney function tests go back to normal, will I be able to use NSAIDS again, or do I have to stop using them from now on??? Another question I forgot to ask my doctor!
Nancy
Yes NSAIDS are very bad for kidneys. I was diagnosed with stage 3 kidney disease in December 2010. My creatinine was 1.2 and my GFR was 46. Yes you GFR can go back up when you quit take NSAIDS. As of February 29, 2013 my creatinine was 1.0 and GFR was 57. I was told to take Tylenol for pain but you have to watch how much you take of that too. It is really toxic to your liver. My problems were caused my too many Advils and Aleves. I don't really think you can take NSAIDS again but I'm not really sure. It's a question I'm going to have to ask my Neph is August when I see him. But I think he will tell me no. I think it damages the filter is one's kidneys. I also have protein in my urine from time to time. My Rheumy told me SJS can cause kidney problems when I told him about mine. I do know Tylenol doesn't really help with the kink of pain we have.
Thanks for your reply Madison Granny. I am sorry you are having to deal with kidney issues but glad to hear kidneys are some better. I tried taking Tylenol, but you're right, it didn't really help. Will see how I do without my NSAIDS, but so far, not too good. Hope I can figure something out. I haven't been to see a kidney doctor yet, hopefully stopping the NSAIDS will take care of it and we caught it early enough. I'll let you know how it goes.
Nancy
I looked back at some of the blood test that the doctor who was treating my dRTA at the time did and my GFR was 46 way back in 2008. All she looked at was my potassium and my CO2 levels. Never mention my low GFR. I didn't know what that was. If this had been caught then maybe I wouldn't have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. I had several doctors then who really dropped the ball when it came to my kidneys. When they found that my potassium was low all they did was give me potassium. They kept saying they didn't know what was wrong and neither would a Neph. This is when I learned to be more aggressive and changed doctors.
Nancy, I have to tell you that a few years ago I had plantar fasciitis and I knew I should be going to the doctor. I walked a lot at work and was really in misery. Then I read a column about this problem by Dr. Donahue in the newspaper.
His treatment for this problem was to stand backwards on a step on only the balls of your feet and let your heels hang down some. When you first start this you can hardly stand to do it. You need to stand on the balls of your feet and this will probably include more ot the foot be the arch. Just let your heel drop a little to start. You are literally stretching these cords in the back of your legs and into your feet.
I also learned to lay on my back in bed and the covers would tip my toes towards the head of the bed. I just tried to lay this way at night and go to sleep this way knowing that I would change position at some time. I just persisted in doing these little exercises and slowly but surely my fasciitis decreased and eventually went away.
The other thing you need to do is check all your shoes and find out which pair or pairs is causing you to walk in such a way that you are causing the damage. I never did go to the doctor. I did use heat on it off and on. Hope this is an option that you can use. Maybe do a search on plantar fasciitis exercises and see if you can find some pictures.(images). Good luck. Irish ;D