[Exhaustedbuthapp...]

I've just been diagnosed with probably renal failure (more bloods and a CT scan to confirm it).

Has anyone else had this diagnosis?

Is anyone currently receiving treatment for renal failure?

thank you!

[chat]

Hi Op

I am not sure if it came as a shock for you but it did for me. I have right kidney failure but my left kidney is fine. I have a hereditary condition and apparently I was born with a small kidney. My symptom was really high blood pressure so investigations into that lead to the discovery of kidney disease. I will be on blood pressure medication for the rest of my life as a result of damage around the kidney and I will be monitored by a kidney specialist for the rest if my life.

For me it has been a wake up call and I am making changes to live a much healthier life.

I hope you're ok.

[Exhaustedbuthapp...]

Hi

yes it came as a huge shock to me. My renal function has always been slightly off, but it was put down to having to fast before a blood test.

This time, the numbers are *really* bad.

I'm scared at the moment as we don't know the cause and whether its acute or chronic until I've seen the renal physician.

thanks for sharing your experience with me.

[chat]

Hi OP

Any updates? I go to my specialist about ever 6 months now (moved from 3) and he runs so many tests prior to the visit. He prefers his patients not to fast so he can get a really clear picture of how things are going. It is probably not related to what your tests are showing up though.

Let me know how you get on.

[Exhaustedbuthapp...]

Hi OP

Any updates? I go to my specialist about ever 6 months now (moved from 3) and he runs so many tests prior to the visit. He prefers his patients not to fast so he can get a really clear picture of how things are going. It is probably not related to what your tests are showing up though.

Let me know how you get on.

Hi,
Thanks for thinking of me.
I had an ultrasound of the renal tract last week and after drinking 1200ml (1.2ltrs), only 35mls was actually in my bladder after an hour and a half so that's definitely not right.

I see the nephrologist for the first time tomorrow. My GP has said there will probably be more blood tests (not fasting, as you said), and a 24 hour urine collection.

I suspect we won't have any answers tomorrow, just more tests.
I'll keep you posted

[chat]

Thanks for the update. I had to do 2 different urine tests after the ultrasound. 1 was 24 hours and the other may have been over a weekend with blood tests when i took the sample back. I had to do 1 of the tests 3 times because the lab gave me the wrong instructions with weekend pick-ups....long story but the first time would have been ok. I remember walking out of a full room of people looking at me when the woman behind the counter told me she cpul not take the sample and just bursting into tears. I had had enough of tests at that stage and I found it all very invasive at first. Thankfully I got answers after all that crap and I am now with a very good specialist.

[Exhaustedbuthapp...]

The ultrasound last week shows I have small kidneys as well - I wonder if that's anything to do with it.

What prompted you to get the tests done and go and see the renal physician (ie did you have any symptoms).

I don't have high blood pressure.

Where are you located?

I hope to have some idea of what's going on after the appointment this morning.

[chat]

Hi OP

I am really sorry to hear that. The thing that prompted me to get checked was the sudden death of my Aunty from a heart attack. I am a very well person so don't visit the Dr often but for a couple of years I recorded high BP when visiting various GPs. We would laugh it off because I had 4 young kids etc. I went down to a chemist during lunch and took it and it was sky high so made an appointment with my then regular GP. She sent me off for all sorts of blood tests and two different BP tests. One was the BP thing around my arm for 24 hours as the other was 24 hours with stuff attached to my chest.

The results showed high BP 24 hours a day so didn't even come down when I was sleeping which is would usually do. All my other bloods were clear so that was why they checked the kidneys. Apparently that is the usual next step. I am no medical expert and do not have a great understanding (I don't do google) but the spongy thing next to my kidney gives out a chemical reaction which causes the high BP and I believe this is as a result of the kidney damage. I am no medical expert though but that is my understanding of what is going on. I actually asked if removing the kidney would resolve that issue but the damage is done so it won't.

This now leaves me with a left kidney that is functioning well (he said there is no guarantee that it will stay healthy) and a right kidney that at last check had pretty much stopped working. He said it will just shrivel up eventually. I will be on blood pressure treatment for the rest of my life unless there is some cure for the issue?!

The positives for me is that I have taken a hard look at my lifestyle and have slowly been making changes. I still have some way to go with my fitness and healthier eating but I am on the right track.

I am in the ACT.

This post has been edited by chat: 08/02/2013, 04:02 PM