Flu- what can I take??

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mlph4021
mlph4021 Member Posts: 76 Member
in Kidney Cancer #1

I have been sick for a week now. I know no ibuprofen, but what do you all take OTC for cold/flu? I am so miserable and as usual Google is no help at all. One site says you can take this medicine another says no way. All I have been taking is some Benadryl at night, mostly just to help me sleep. I know we can take Tylenol, but I won't take that, because it has never helped me one bit anyway. I broke down this morning and took some Delsym cough syrup I had here because it says it contains no fever/pain medicine, so far not much difference but may just need some more time. Anyway, looking for advice...what helps you? 

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  • mlph4021
    mlph4021 Member Posts: 76 Member
    edited January 2017 #2
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    And now

    I just read online that Benadryl can cause kidney failure. Awesome. 

  • JerzyGrrl
    JerzyGrrl Member Posts: 760 Member
    #3
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    Maybe...

    Have you asked your physician and / or your pharmacist for suggestions? That's probably where I'd start...

  • donna_lee
    donna_lee Member Posts: 1,042 Member
    #4
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    As with most OTC meds,

    I think a lot of the warnings and "thou shalt not" apply to long term usage of them

    My internist knew my history, and I take Claritin 24 hr. and use Flonase spray for Allergy symptoms almost year round.

    I, too, suggest your doc.  Sounds like big guns are in order so you can sleep and not cough until your body can get well.

    There are the herbals and lightweights, honey and lemon juice, cammomile tea, acetaminophen.

    Get well soon.

    donna_lee

  • todd121
    todd121 Member Posts: 1,448 Member
    #5
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    How's your kidney function?

    You don't mention how your kidney function is. If you have poor kidney function, I suggest seeing a nephrologist regularly. They can help you with these questions.

    If your kidney function is good, even with 1 kidney, then you don't need to worry about it. If you have, for example, a creatinine of 1.1 (many do even with 1 kidney), it's not something you need to worry about.

    I have slightly abnormal kidney function. My creatinine ranges from 1.5-1.8.

    I avoid NSAIDS, but generally don't worry about it. I always ask my pharmacist when I'm in the pharmacy to check on any drugs I'm going to take. I do this for over the counter drugs or for new prescriptions. Sometimes my family doc (or an urgent care doc I've seen) forgets I have reduced kidney function so I ask the pharmacist.

    Sometimes I do google the drug and then look in the insert/info for "renal insufficiency" or similar terms. Many people have reduced kidney function, so they usually say if it's a problem.

    Hopefully doing all of these things will help you out. NSAIDs are the problem. Ibuprofen. Advil. Aspirin. No problem with Tylenol.

    Todd

  • mlph4021
    mlph4021 Member Posts: 76 Member
    #6
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    Thank you

    I do have a recent kidney function test so I will check it. I was wondering if I might be a bit paranoid. I may end up having to go to the doctor of this doesn't start to improve a bit in the next few days, I am on day 8 now. 

  • Footstomper
    Footstomper Member Posts: 1,237 Member
    #7
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    mlph4021 said:

    And now

    I just read online that Benadryl can cause kidney failure. Awesome. 

    "Thou shalt not!"

    You've been reading Dr Google again havent you. Taking Ibuprofen in large amounts is definately not a good idea. I take it if I start getting a migraine and I aint dead yet

    Benedryl: I have a rash and an itch on my lower body and have had since I first started treatment (IL2 August 2013) and have been happily taking Benedryl to stop it itching. Still not dead.

    I think the advice is dont be silly and take too much. Pretty much good advice for anything. "Nothing in excess" as the god said, and if its good enough for Apollo, its good enough for me (bit of a shame really because, as my wife observed on first meeting me, Moderation is not my middle name.

  • mlph4021
    mlph4021 Member Posts: 76 Member
    edited January 2017 #8
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    Footstomper said:

    "Thou shalt not!"

    You've been reading Dr Google again havent you. Taking Ibuprofen in large amounts is definately not a good idea. I take it if I start getting a migraine and I aint dead yet

    Benedryl: I have a rash and an itch on my lower body and have had since I first started treatment (IL2 August 2013) and have been happily taking Benedryl to stop it itching. Still not dead.

    I think the advice is dont be silly and take too much. Pretty much good advice for anything. "Nothing in excess" as the god said, and if its good enough for Apollo, its good enough for me (bit of a shame really because, as my wife observed on first meeting me, Moderation is not my middle name.

    You caught me

    And I thank you for the reminder. This is silly. I am actually sick and too paranoid to take anything. 8 days in and I am miserable and afraid to even go to the doctor if this DOES turn into something I need antibiotics for because, naturally, Google even tells me antibiotics can cause kidney failure. LOL One of these days my fears will fade away. I need to stay away from Dr. Google. 

  • mlph4021
    mlph4021 Member Posts: 76 Member
    #9
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    mlph4021 said:

    Thank you

    I do have a recent kidney function test so I will check it. I was wondering if I might be a bit paranoid. I may end up having to go to the doctor of this doesn't start to improve a bit in the next few days, I am on day 8 now. 

    Creatine

    Is at 1.12 which I had done at my endocrinologist. He said that wasn't great and I have to go back in a few weeks to test it again. This would be so much easier if my regular doctor didn't retire in December. I guess I will have to bite the bullet and call the new doctor he referred his patients to. I just know that will be a looooong visit so I can go over everything wrong with me, ha ha

  • mlph4021
    mlph4021 Member Posts: 76 Member
    #10
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    Bit the bullet

    And finally went to the pharmacy and spoke with a pharmacist who went in her magic computer and looked it up for me. Now I am feeling pretty silly, I guess I can basically take anything for a few days. Oh well, I have the rest of my life to deal with having just one kidney, had to learn it sooner or later. Just got some Sudafed in me, and should have some relief soon! 

  • Footstomper
    Footstomper Member Posts: 1,237 Member
    #11
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    Get well soon

    Get well soon

  • todd121
    todd121 Member Posts: 1,448 Member
    #12
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    mlph4021 said:

    Bit the bullet

    And finally went to the pharmacy and spoke with a pharmacist who went in her magic computer and looked it up for me. Now I am feeling pretty silly, I guess I can basically take anything for a few days. Oh well, I have the rest of my life to deal with having just one kidney, had to learn it sooner or later. Just got some Sudafed in me, and should have some relief soon! 

    Creatinine 1.12?

    Your creatinine is as good as mine was with 2 kidneys! As I recall 1.4 and below is normal.

    I don't think you need to worry about this. You have pretty good kidney function. Long term, you might want to void NSAIDS, keep your BP monitored and adjusted, don't overeat protein, etc. These are all things to keep your kidneys healthy. But really your kidney function sounds like it's as good as anyones. I don't understand the doc that told you it's not great. It's normal.

    Hope you feel better soon.

    Todd

  • mlph4021
    mlph4021 Member Posts: 76 Member
    edited January 2017 #13
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    todd121 said:

    Creatinine 1.12?

    Your creatinine is as good as mine was with 2 kidneys! As I recall 1.4 and below is normal.

    I don't think you need to worry about this. You have pretty good kidney function. Long term, you might want to void NSAIDS, keep your BP monitored and adjusted, don't overeat protein, etc. These are all things to keep your kidneys healthy. But really your kidney function sounds like it's as good as anyones. I don't understand the doc that told you it's not great. It's normal.

    Hope you feel better soon.

    Todd

    Just so happens

    My surgeon called yesterday to give me a heads up that he's having another doctor give me a call to set up some genetic testing and when I told him my numbers he said the same thing- kidney function seems good. I had been worrying about that since my Endo told me it wasn't ideal, but he said it was the same when I was in the hospital so it is staying stable. 

    He also seconded the pharmacist and said I could even take ibuprofen once in a while if needed. Geesh, what a relief! To read what you can and cannot take from one website to another is maddening, including the American Kidney Foundations!

     

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