Biopsy results

[maystone]

Wow, you guys are major talky meat today! I just logged on for the first time today to check out my flist, and it was skip40. Lots going on with you guys in the past day, happily most of it good, although there were a few sad entries, sorry to say.

OK, biopsy results. As my doctor put it, "There's good news and bad news." Always a swell intro when you're talking medical stuff :) The good news is that there was no sign that an autoimmune process is attacking my kidneys. That doesn't mean that I don't have an autoimmune disease, just that it isn't the cause the of the problem. And the problem is . . . I have both chronic and acute interstitial nephritis. And arent' you glad you asked. That link is to the most layperson-friendly description of the disease that I came across, in case anyone was curious about it.

The cause would appear to be an acute allergic reaction to some medicationss I've taken over time. Because the medications were continued over the years, the acute phase morphed into the chronic condition which left "lots of scar tissue" according to the doctor. The medications? Advil and hydrochlorothiazide (HCT, a common diuretic and anti-hypertensive med.) It's not just that I took Advil, it's that I would take four at a time for pain, and I was doing that most days of the week for years and years. And the HCT I would take on a daily basis for years, too, sometimes at a prescribed high dosage depending on how my blood pressure was acting up. So it's my own damn fault, partly.

The acute phase that I'm going through now is also because of some meds that I'm taking currently for pain and inflammation and gall bladder stuff. I've stopped taking them as of today (duh), and the doctor is expecting that the acute complications will go bye-bye very quickly. So that's the good news in the bad news. The chronic stuff is, well, chronic. We'll just have to see how it goes. Although another check in the good news column is that my kidney function has stabilized: it hasn't improved over the past few months, but it hasn't worsened, either. I can live with that. Literally. Heh.

I can't take most anti-inflammatories anymore, which is kind of a bummer, except it's offset by the fact that what I can take is codeine. Narcotics! Yay! Just kidding :) Unfortunately I'm one of the people who can't take a lot of codeine because it depresses my breathing. This is going to get interesting, eh.

Comments

[vampirefan.livejournal.com]

well, at least you now know something.

it's awful that the drugs caused this due to allergic reaction. i really hope that whatever drug regimen you end up on, it helps you!

*hugs*

codine is the bomb. i really wish i had cough medicine with codine in it for when i get my coughing jags

[maystone.livejournal.com]

Thanks, honey :) I love codeine the first time I take it, because it really gets the pain, but after that it just causes more problems. Too bad we can't share. Heh.

I know that you don't have internet access this weekend, but I'm wishing you a wonderful weekend at the wedding.

[travestine.livejournal.com]

Oh wow. I'm sorry you're joining me in this boat, my darling (shoves over to make room), but I'm glad it's not associated with your AI disorder. Has your dr suggested novo spirotonon as an alternative diuretic? I've been taking it since my little episode in October and it's been quite effective. It has the added advantage of not messing with your electrolytes. I was on hydrochlorothiazide previously as well. Sending you tons of healing energy - xoxo

[maystone.livejournal.com]

Thanks, honey. Next time we pick a more fun boat, though, OK :)

I'm taking something called Lasic (sp?); Semide is its generic name. My GP put me on it, and the nephrologist approved. I've had wicked edema for the past few days because I stopped taking the HCT a few days ago, but I wasn't sure if the Semide was safe. Now I'll take it daily, and I hope to lose some of this awful bloating soon. I have to check whether or not I have to worry about electrolytes. Hmmmmm. I'm still getting blood work done every other week, so I'll probably get a heads up from that, too.

We need a secret handshake or something for our little special club, eh.

[gatezilla.livejournal.com]

So... yay? Some good, some bad?

*hesitant confetti*

[maystone.livejournal.com]

hesitant confetti

And another faux rock band is born! Bwah!

Yup, Gatechen, there definitely is some good news in there. I really think that we can stop this from progressing for a while; I just have to be careful.

Your icon is wonderful!

[sffan.livejournal.com]

Yay? At least you can now halt the damage to the kidneys by not taking the anti-inflammatories...*hugs*

[maystone.livejournal.com]

Yay it is. Now at least I can control the kidney function loss somewhat. It's better than nothing.

[budclare.livejournal.com]

Er, yay? *hugs*

[maystone.livejournal.com]

Heh, I know. This falls under the category of being thankful for small favors :)

[hnybny.livejournal.com]

Well, its good and bad, but with a solve. That kind of makes the bad not so bad, since you should be able to improve the situation. That's really good news, at least, that's kind of how I look at it.

[maystone.livejournal.com]

Whoa, I completely overlooked your comment. Sorry!

Yeah, I think it's mostly good news, too. Any concrete information is welcome, really.

[llaras.livejournal.com]

Jiminy! I'm glad someone finally figured it out! And now I may be looking for a new blood pressure med...