Hi, I've had a very anxious couple of weeks and I think i just needed to share the information and potentially hear some reassurance? I dont know.. I was diagnosed with High blood pressure 3 years ago (when i was 38) and put on Ramapril, initially 5mg then upped to 10mg which I was taking up until 2 weeks ago.... 2 weeks ago I was feeling nauseous and tired for a few days and then experienced mild pain in my chest, I was worried it was my heart so went to A&E where after blood tests, EKG and chest x- ray I was told my heart was fine but my kidney levels were off, the DR explained that he thought it was to do with me taking Ramapril so gave me a prescription for Amlodipine and told me he was refering me to a renal specialist to be safe, it sounded pretty mild by his explanation so I did not worry and waited on my appointment. Well a few days ago i had my appointment and it wasnt great, I was told my GFR was down to 20 and I needed to have an MRI of the area to look at any potential damage, they explained that when I was diagnosed with high blood pressure in 2019 my GFR was at 65 , I was never told this at the time or told to look out for any symptoms and apart from some blood tests about a month after starting on Ramapril was never asked to have blood tests again, I was just given a repeat prescription and told to monitor my BP, I did that semi regulaly at home and although not perfect it was not bad. So essentially my GFR has dropped from 65 to 20 in 3 years, im so anxious at the moment as the specialist said that potentially now im off Ramapril the GFR may start to go up but until they dothe MRI (scheduled for just over a week from now) and keep monitoring they wont know. Some back ground info I am pretty unfit and I am obese, 6ft & 301 pounds, ive struggled with my weight for a long time , im working on it but I tend to do well for a while then gradually put the weight back on. I know my weight and lack of exercise is a big factor in all this but I am still struggling to come to terms with such a big drop in kidney function in only 3 years, and am angry and frustrated that I was not better informed, I am very worried I will need dialysis before long and a transplant when im only 41 and have a young family, I am flipping moods multiple tmes a day from a positive attitude and pragmatic approach to frustration and tears, its been a rough week. Apologies for the info dump I think I just needed to offload a bit, thanks Dan
no apologies needed. you are having difficult time managing all these issues very normal.it almost takes a spread sheet to keep track of everything. ask about patient support groups and for a way to help you get thru this period.
best advice study all the medications and health issues you have learn to be your own advocate. i have had similar issues with family members .
there are ways to help with kidney function. foods to avoid and foods to support kidney function. as well as medications.
would also be a good idea to check with a councillor to help with depression for little awhile which in turn can help give you the tools to be in control of your health in a positive scenario.
life is a gift. take it one day at a time.
Ok. so an update, its been a bit of a whirlwind of tests etc, ive had an MRI which did not show narrowing of the blood vessels or shrinking of the kidneys, so I went in 2 weeks ago for a biopsy on the kidney, I recieved my results yesterday, I have IGA Nephropathy the auto immune disease which damages the kidneys which is both scary as ■■■■ but also weirdly good to know that it was something out of my control?!
So I have been given a fistful of pills to take daily to hopefully stop/slow the deterioration of the kidneys but realistically at some point I will need a transplant, so my focus at the moment is to lose some weight, been a hard couple of months but I am focused now on improving my weight and fitness and taking it day by day.