Bad News: Renal insufficiency

My first question is how far have you optimized the protein load, the ketogenic - low carb diet and hydration parts ?  

I had foam problems years and years ago, with many things going on.   Partly I cut back on huge carbs and protein loads, and then solved other problems,  For a while I was fastidious about diet and supplements.   Some that were of particular interest were riboflavin (the kidney is supposed to be the riboflavin richest organ) and P5P or pyridoxamine (see LEF stories).   Perhap as others too,  including magnesium, NAC, coQ10, ALA and silimarin

I think you've referred to some of the LEF stuff before.  What about this article?   At one stretch I felt the most  pronounced  kidney sign(s) from aggressive riboflavin use, but I had also earlier experienced chelitis, a classic sign of gross deficiency.    THe LEF stuff has been useful to us a number of times, including most of the items in that article.

Hi Vasco, I had chemo in 2009 (cisplatin) this did some damage to my kidneys, I have had this situation since then, my creatinine bounces up and dpwn, all depends on how hydrated you are and other factors, hydration being the most important. I have been as kow as 1.34 and as high as 1.93. You definitely cannot have contrast and stay away from Nsaid pain relievers. Renal insufficiency is a very common development in older people, NIH says there are about 28,000,000 Americans with the disease, mostly stage 3 which you and I are and most don't know it, just keep an eye on it, but find out what exactly caused it. You should also have your BUN checked, mine is normal. It is called CKD, but that means two different situations, chronic kidney disease and chronic kidney damage. Denis

Also on the pre-diabetes front, my fasting glucose levels show that I am pre-diabetic too, my last fasting test was 109, max normal is 99. The biggest contributor to this problem are carbs, when this showed up a few years ago I was told to stay away from "white foods" white bread, potatoes, rice, noodles and of course keep the sugar intake down. DEnis

http://robbwolf.com/2011/06/16/clearing-up-kidney-confusion-part-deux/ 

This should be right up your alley, because there is a lot over my head, but it surely answers your question.  I bleieve that there is a lot of previous thinking about diet that is now being reconsidered.  It appears that the old way of weight loss of lesser calories and more exercise is being debunked, as many weight losers regain rapidly.  When the body runs on glucose, the fat cells do not disapper, the just shrink for a while and then fill up again.  When on a Keto diet, the fat cells disappear because the body is now using fat for energy, not glucose.  Keto is NOT a high protein diet.  It IS a high fat diet.  70% fat and 20% protein is still a low protein diet.  I eat much less protein than before as a bodybuilder, but I STILL eat five to six times a day.  I make high fat drinks with cocoanut oil (No. 1 source of fat) and butter No. 2 source of fat. A meat eater has a much easier time, as there is duck fat, pork fat, and high fat beef available as well. Acutally, there are menus available for the Keto diet which are very acceptable. However, for a Keto Vegan bodybuilder the choices are not so diverse.  I know bodybuilders who cannot stand a keto diet.  It is too much of a change of lifestyle.  For me, my life works best when there is discipline and self respect.  I get A LOT of that with my intense gym workout which many have tried but which none have succeeded.  Matrix is just TOO intense for most people.  There is a misconception in the body building world that if you lift heavey, you will get big.  It should be if you heavey WITH NO CHEATING MOVEMENTS, you will get big.  Of course, the guys with Natural inherited genes get big no matter what they do, especially when they add Roids.  Five time Olympia winner Jay Cutler, benched 300 lbs the FIRST time he was in the gym.  I am not claiming that I can compete with guys 40 to 60 years younger, that is impossible.  I compete only to inspire others by my example that there is a better path that can be chosen.  But, of course, no one will ever change unless they are totally desparate.  There is SO much help available now, but so few who are simply afraid to take a chance.  Well, I digressed here alot.  Fear and faith are the only two choices.  Sadly, most live in fear.  And as long as I am preaching, here is a quote from my Spritual Master, Osho.

vasco,

I am sorry you are having your current difficulties.  If anyone can find a workaround, it will be you.

I have had numerous friends/neighbors who had kidney failure and even went on dyalisis. Your data are miles away from that happening to you, probably ever.

Without studying the many details you provide, it seems your issue is primarily the urinary problem effecting your availablity to use the HT drugs. There is surely a solution; keep digging !

max

I happened upon this list of supplements that may be harmful to kidney function...

http://cjasn.asnjournals.org/content/2/4/757.full

VascodaGama said:

Thanks Bella for the concern

Thanks Bella for the concern.

The situation doesn't allow me peace of mind. I have been reading and collecting past data (blood markers and exams) to prepare myself for the nephrologist consultation. I found a clinic that includes also cardiologists that may help me in understands better the facts. Any feel makes me think that it is related to the kidney problem. I read that high blood pressure may damage the kidneys or vise versa and found that I have hypertension.

I used to check the blood pressure once or twice a year (the results always close to the 125/85 parameters) but because of the present conflicts I start taking it every morning (before breakfast and pills) and the numbers are high varying with the systolic pressure going from 136 to 168 and the diastolic pressure from 88 to 100. I think that the daily Adelat 30 is doing nothing. Loads of question marks.

The radiologist gave me his CT report yesterday confirming the existing cysts in the left kidney, one now at 7.6 cm. He describes the liver with two biliary cysts in each lobe, one with 3.7 cm. The biliary track is normal and the pancreas and gallbladder are all homogeneous and within the normal parameters.
In regards to the kidneys he comments seeing them with normal shape and dimensions, and with proper parenchymal thickness, with no evidence of stony formation (hyper dense lithiasis). There are no signs of hydronephrosis (urine retention). However it comments that without the contrast agent they could not verify the presence of solid lesions that could be analytical influential. I wonder if such could mean that they cannot diagnose Renal Parenchymal Disease.

The collon is OK but shows diverticulitis at the left side. The bladder is not so conclusive but it indicates that there is moderate homogeneous Diffuse bladder wall thickening (which could signify the presence of infectious cystitis or cystitis from radiation  (RT scars).  Regarding the iliac veins and distal abdominal aorta they found arteriosclerotic calculi (extremity claudication). I guess that this could be the trash not filtered in the kidney or the reason preventing the transport of the trash by the blood to the kidneys.
Lymphatics are clean (no apparent PCa metastases) and no fluids in the abdominal recesses (prostate bed).

Overall it is a good result but limited to a CT capability (cannot detect a bandit producing PSA=1.5). The lack of contrast does not assure proper definition of solid lesions.

Thanks for the link on supplements. Artiminicin is in the list and this is a plant I think good in the fight against cancer. As you commented above, I am returning my habits and give preferences to home cooking, trying to avoid salt, cutting on bread and eating more vegetables.

Best wishes,

VGama

There is a lot of reassuring news there. My dad has one kidney with the right kidney removed in 2004 after blood in his urine and a scan showing a tumor which was later determined to be benign.  He's had undermanaged high blood pressure and diabetes for some time ( until I moved nearby and took over his care).  They both very common causes of impaired kidney function.  His ultrasound today showed several cysts in his remaining left kidney

My main point to you is that he has lived virtually symptom free for many years with one poorly functioning kidney.  His bp and blood sugar are managed but still above normal because it would further stress the kidney to medicate too aggressively. We attribute his good quality of life to exercise, diet and calm, positive temperament.

There is a lot of info online regarding natural ways to reduce bp.  I like breathing exercises, hibiscus tea.  Your doc may offer different bp meds.  I know you will do your own research to double check whether they are metabolized via the kidney which is not advised.  

You mention claudification.  Do you mean calcification?  My understanding that that is common with age and not necessarily worrisome.  Do you know about Bragg's apple cider vinegar?  A few teaspoons in water each morning.  I'll try to find a good link.

best to you!

VascodaGama said:

My appointment with a Nephrologist

You were all correct; I have CKD (chronic kidney disease) stage 3 with no chances for a fix. According to the nephrologist, I should now care to avoid further deterioration. He went through all the results and image study reports since 2010 and said that I should have done something starting in the fall of 2014. At that time I may had a case of acute kidney injury, which usually is reversible.

In regards to the long cysts (7.6 and 6.7 cm) in left kidney he commented these not being the problem. He doesn't recommend draining because these will refill again in a short period of time. "...Your problem is aging (Denistd was right), cysts are common in older people ...".
The Creatinine in urine at 24 hours and its clearance are the most important markers. My lastest (Sep/2016) was still good at 90 mL/minute, with a creatinine of 132 mg/dl (in blood was 1.61 mg/dl). He thinks my numbers to be out of the best parameters  but not ridiculous worse. The Ionogramme was balanced with sodium at 143, potassium at 4.6 and chloride at 105. Suggested for me to lower salt content in diets and recommended me to change the present BP (blood pressure) medication to Co-Diovan 80/12.5 mg taken at breakfast plus Lercanidipine 20 at dinner (this is also a calcium channel blocker similar to Adalat but works differently). He believes that the high blood pressure is the cause behind a series of symptoms I have been experiencing since summer of 2016. The CKD may be causing me urinary frequency when sleeping (4 to 5 times waking up to urinate). My next consultation is for April 2017 with more fasting blood and urine tests and with the results of the newer daily CCBs.

Regarding the 68Ga PSMA PET he said that he is not aware of the radioisotope details but commented that they care for CKD inpatients doing MRI with contrast, followed straight by dialysis. He suggested to inquire at big hospitals where I can become an inpatient to do the PET and dialysis in a set.

Well, I need to look into a fitness program and better diet. Meanwhile I will try consulting an urologist for a second opinion. 

Thanks to all of you for the suggestions and recommendations.

VGama

It looks pretty convincing. But the specialist has given you hope that by changing some of your lifestyle, and adjusting the medications, further problems can be prevented.

Good luck!