Single Kidney Long Term

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Steve.Adam
Steve.Adam CSN Member Posts: 463 Member
in Kidney Cancer #1

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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Comments

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo CSN Member Posts: 3,362
    edited March 2017 #2
    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

  • Hd67xlch
    Hd67xlch Member Posts: 151 Member
    #3
    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.

  • foxhd
    foxhd CSN Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    edited March 2017 #4
    never noticed any difference

    Last blood work was..gfr over 60. Creatinine .8.

  • Skagway Jack
    Skagway Jack CSN Member Posts: 224 Member
    edited March 2017 #5
    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. 

     

     

  • Jan4you
    Jan4you CSN Member Posts: 1,330 Member
    #6
    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

  • CRashster
    CRashster Member Posts: 241 Member
    #7
    Long term.

    I don't think long term. I'm now a day to day guy.

  • Steve.Adam
    Steve.Adam CSN Member Posts: 463 Member
    #8
    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.

  • CRashster
    CRashster Member Posts: 241 Member
    #9
    Steve.Adam said:

    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.

    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.

  • Iggyrip
    Iggyrip Member Posts: 44
    #10
    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

  • Steve.Adam
    Steve.Adam CSN Member Posts: 463 Member
    edited March 2017 #11
    Iggyrip said:

    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

    Great typo

    Loving more is a great plan.

  • Steve.Adam
    Steve.Adam CSN Member Posts: 463 Member
    edited March 2017 #12
    CRashster said:

    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.

    eGFR 20

    How did you feel when it was very low?

  • foxhd
    foxhd CSN Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    edited March 2017 #13
    Where do

    I sign up?

  • CRashster
    CRashster Member Posts: 241 Member
    #14
    Steve.Adam said:

    eGFR 20

    How did you feel when it was very low?

    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.

  • donna_lee
    donna_lee CSN Member Posts: 1,059 Member
    #15
    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

     

  • Steve.Adam
    Steve.Adam CSN Member Posts: 463 Member
    #16
    CRashster said:

    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.

    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.

  • Steve.Adam
    Steve.Adam CSN Member Posts: 463 Member
    #17
    donna_lee said:

    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

     

    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.

  • Rickdr89
    Rickdr89 Member Posts: 3
    #18
    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. 

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo CSN Member Posts: 3,362
    edited March 2017 #19
    Tell us

    Rick,

     

    Tell us a little about yourself on a new thread so we can help you thru this.

     

    Icemantoo

  • Steve.Adam
    Steve.Adam CSN Member Posts: 463 Member
    #20
    Hi Rick

    If you like you can start a new thread and tell us all about it.

    Everyone here is interested.

    Steve.

  • Rickdr89
    Rickdr89 Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2017 #21
    @Iceman and Steve: thanks

    @Iceman and Steve: thanks guys, I will next time I log in. 

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