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Single Kidney Long Term
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Mar 13, 2017 - 10:22 pm
To all of you long term nephrectomees... I am very curious to know how your single kidney function has held up over time. Does it hold steady or decline slowly? I always assumed, and I think it is a common assumption, that people get along just fine with only one kidney and it is just as though they had never lost or donated the other one. Groups looking for donors all take this line. But I have also read some evidence and opinion that paints a less rosy picture. That is, that reduced kidney function is likely to influence our general health as we age. So I'd love to hear from people with real experience (or anyone with an opinion). Steve.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Kidney issues
Steve,
With almost 15 years let me give a few thoughts. First kidney issues effect a lot more than failure or dialysis. Additionally there a lot of negative things that effect your kidney function only 1 of which is having less than 2 kidneys. Others include overall health, wfight, blood pressure, diabities and other kidney problems. Additionally as you get older kidney function declines. The fact that we have decreased kidney function effects cardiac issues way before kidney failure. The one thing I did which showed an increase in my kidney function numbers is lose 65 pounds over the past 3 years from diet (recommended) and Pnemonia (not recommended). So when and if your numbers decrease GFR (and they will) make the effort to address at least initially these issues with a Nephrologist.
Icemantoo
Joined: Apr 2016
Never noticed it gone
If I didnt know it was gone Id never even notice I had only one kidney, about 6 years for me. My step Dad went 35 + years after his kidney removal and he made it to 88, and died of unrelated things.
Joined: Oct 2011
never noticed any difference
Last blood work was..gfr over 60. Creatinine .8.
Joined: Oct 2013
Improved with time
My GFR and creatine have improved since my nephrectomy in 2013. Im still just below what is considered normal for a dual kidney person, but it doesnt prevent me from doing pretty much anything I want. I try to remember to drink more water than I used to, and I worrry about hydration when I am excersizing. Otherwise thats about the sum of it. I do recommend seeing a nephrologist for a consult if you can.
Joined: Oct 2013
No problem at all, post
No problem at all, post nephrectomy! In fact it continues to function effectively in spite of my other rare kidney disorder.
AND we can keep our liver/kidneys healthy with good diet and HYDRATION!! (and beer doesn't count LOL) Our kidney function should not decline with age until we are actively dying!
Jan
Joined: Mar 2017
Long term.
I don't think long term. I'm now a day to day guy.
Joined: Oct 2016
Thank You All
Thanks for all of your replies.
I am just trying to get a good understanding of how my system is likely to function in the (many) years ahead. My last eGFR (with 2 kidneys) was >90 (I think) and I'm pretty sure my lifestyle is kidney friendly. I will remain 'kidney careful' whatever happens.
If anyone here has tracked their kidney function over time I'd be very interested to get some numbers for the first year or so after the nephrectomy. This is for curiousity, really. I'll soon have my own numbers to collect.
Steve.
Joined: Mar 2017
My pre-surgery eGFR was 45.
My pre-surgery eGFR was 45. So, after surgery my urologist estimates it was 20 something. Then, 38. Now, they estimate 40 something. As long as it keeps climbing, I'm good.
Joined: Oct 2016
eGFR 20
How did you feel when it was very low?
Joined: Mar 2017
It's kind of hard to judge,
It's kind of hard to judge, because I felt bad for a while and it was gradual so I never really noticed the decline. Plus. it's been kind of a hard road back. Lately, I've had alot of dizziness. I've started taking magnesium and vitamin D3 and that seems to be doing the trick.
Joined: Oct 2016
I see what you mean
If you are feeling bad for other reasons it's impossible to know if kidney function contributes.
Thanks for the info.
Steve.
Joined: Sep 2016
Great question. I had my
Great question. I had my kidney removed in Oct 2016 and have wondered the same. Since my surgery, I have lost some weight and plan to love more. I have also drastically reduced my sodium and protein intake. I am hoping to be around for while.
Iggyrip
Joined: Oct 2016
Great typo
Loving more is a great plan.
Joined: Oct 2011
Where do
I sign up?
Joined: Feb 2009
We do love to
pounce on the fun of mis-spelled words.
The one that got me in last week's local was the Food and eatery reviewer writing about the new sandwich and burger place. the sandwich was chalk full of ....... What did he do, clean out the eraser tray of the old school house? Those homonyms can really trip you up.
And as to the regular question posed. I haven't noticed a problem with age. But once cancer has entered the picture, I do think we tend to be more attuned to what's happening with the body, and try to take better care of it.
donna_lee
Joined: Oct 2016
Hi Donna
From what people have said I think I will be OK since my kidney function was good before.
Even people without great kidney function seem to be doing OK.
I hope you are doing OK too.
I have only been health focused for the past couple of years and adding a nephrectomy certainly increases that focus!
Steve.
Joined: Mar 2017
Thanks everybody.
Thanks everybody.
I'm scheduled to have my left kidney removed soon, and I'm feeling a lot better after reading through this thread.
Joined: Jan 2010
Tell us
Rick,
Tell us a little about yourself on a new thread so we can help you thru this.
Icemantoo
Joined: Oct 2016
Hi Rick
If you like you can start a new thread and tell us all about it.
Everyone here is interested.
Steve.
Joined: Mar 2017
@Iceman and Steve: thanks
@Iceman and Steve: thanks guys, I will next time I log in.
Joined: May 2017
Single kidney looking for others in same situation...
Hello all. I'm Jessica. I am a five year breast cancer survivor who donated a kidney to my husband (now EX-husband, lol) six years before my cancer diagnosis. My one kidney probably faced quite a bit of hardship during chemotherapy but it made it through...although now (just three years after treatment ended) I am starting to have a lot of other health issues. Just was diagnosed with gallbaladder disease (due to my thyroid...what?) and my kidney doesn't seem to be doing so great. My last lab was a GFR estimate of 53 with creatinine at 1.2 and BUN at 22. I KNOW I was severely dehydrated at the time (and struggle with this constantly). But I am wondering if anyone else has low GFR estimates due to having only one kidney? Mine has slowly declined in the last year. I want to make an appointment with a nephrologist (as my oncologist is my primary and handles everything) but wondering if that is necessary. Is the GFR low due to the scale being for two kidneys? Do I possibly have CKD? I'm trying to stay positive but I'm concerned. My creatinine number has stayed steady between 1.1-1.2 after surgery. My BUN has moved up and down a lot, presuming due to water intake. I am very active and go through periods of eating perfect and then get stressed and eat bad on occassion. At 41 I never imagined all of this. At 35 I never imagined cancer, especially after my health was so good I donated a kidney! But life is funny. I paid attention to everything! I also recently had to undergo a total hysterectomy due to the breast cancer risk. Maybe the menopause affected the kidney function? Again, staying positive as always, but looking for any insight you may have. Thank you all for your help! Sending you happiness, health and healing!
Joined: Jan 2010
Single Kidney
Jessica,
Expect your numbers to be lower with 1 kidney. Definately see a Nephrlogist for a plan forward. Mine was below yours before I lost weight.
Icemantoo