Diabetic nephropathy

[Annie86]

Hi all,
So following my recent appointments at the Diabetes centre it has been confirmed I'm in early stages of diabetic nephropathy. Came home for lunch today and greeted by a letter stating results which came as a bit of a blow.
Have to make an appointment with GP to start ACE inhibitor which is fine but is there anything else I can do to try and prevent it worsening?
Rather scared at the moment. I've had multiple health problems over the years prior to diabetes and feel like I'm just adding to them every year.
So gut wrenching when you try so hard to keep levels stable.
I know the years of chaos have led to this but it's just blown me out of the water.
Anyone in the same position or have any advice please?
Anna x

 

[TorqPenderloin]

I'm sure others will chime in that know (much) more than me.

In the mean time, I found this to be a very interesting abstract. However, it's hardly conclusive: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21533091

 

[tim2000s]

I wonder whether taking exogenous ketones might assist with this...?

 

[eddie1968]

Hi @Annie86 I am in the same position as you and firstly do not worry. Diabetic Nephropathy in the early stages is manageable especially with ACE inhibitors. I was diagnosed with DN years ago and I'm still here and the Rampril 10mg I am on has slowed it's progress. The whole condition just needs monitored and treated.

 

[JohnEGreen]

Hi all,
So following my recent appointments at the Diabetes centre it has been confirmed I'm in early stages of diabetic nephropathy. Came home for lunch today and greeted by a letter stating results which came as a bit of a blow.
Have to make an appointment with GP to start ACE inhibitor which is fine but is there anything else I can do to try and prevent it worsening?
Rather scared at the moment. I've had multiple health problems over the years prior to diabetes and feel like I'm just adding to them every year.
So gut wrenching when you try so hard to keep levels stable.
I know the years of chaos have led to this but it's just blown me out of the water.
Anyone in the same position or have any advice please?
Anna x

@Annie86 I'm sorry to here that you have this but could you please enlighten me as to what is considered as early stages of diabetic nephropathy .

I ask as I have been diagnosed with stage 2 kidney damage and my GP informed me that as it has been present some time that he considers it a chronic condition.

 

[JohnEGreen]

I was diagnosed from blood test with an Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) level of 60% .

With stage 1 or stage 2 annual blood checks and careful monitoring is recommended .

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Kidney-disease-chronic/Pages/Diagnosis.aspx

 

[catherinecherub]

Anyone know how this is diagnosed? Btw, cannot take ACE inhibitors because they cause a cough and tachycardia

As explained by the previous poster, eGFR levels decide the diagnosis.
Sometimes for people who cannot take ACE inhibitors, they may be O.K. on ARB's.
Angiotensin receptor blockers can be useful for for people who have diabetes or kidney disease as well as high blood pressure. This is because there is some evidence to show that they can protect your kidneys.
http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/BloodPressureandyou/Medicines/Medicinetypes/ARBs

 

[pensionistamike]

As posted previously I am Type 2 ....have bladder cancer and now have kidney troubles .....they think that
my right kidney could also be producing cancer cells and after having several hospital visits both as an in and
out patient the current situation is that nothing is happening now until the decision is made whether I have a
CT Scan using Contrast Dyes as this type of scan can sometimes cause more harm than good.
They have to decide whether the Benefits would outweigh the Risks..
I am testing 3 times a day and having blood pressure checked every 2 weeks.......if I can keep these under
some sort of control it apparently is a big help...an other thing that doesn't help is my age ..78....Hey Ho
Keep smiling ......I still want the Telegram from Buckingham Palace so I just have 22 years to go...Regards to all-

 

[pensionistamike]

Thank you Galja......I read the article about Gadolinium .....scary......I had a contrast scan last December but of
course the patient is unaware of what dyes are being used .....all you're concerned about are the results.
The latest advice I have been given is to ask the Specialist if he will be using Low Osmolar Dyes which are
not Iodine Based as these are allegedly the ones with the lowest risk factor....... I can only imagine the reaction
when that question is put.!
I will find out what happens and post the information on this site .......I hope you yourself are feeling better
and whatever the future holds you certainly have my wholehearted support........Best wishes to all.

 

[pensionistamike]

Once again Galja thanks for your reply.....and the article from the 1984 British Medical Journal was most interesting
as it shows that the lower risk but higher cost contrast dyes have been available since then....all boils down to the money
again it would seem.......next for me are more tests in September ..blood sugar ..urine....pressure Etc.....then a
Cystoscopy to check the bladder .....then eventually appointments Kidney and Cancer specialists in October
then the Big decision on the Scan.....post as soon as I know.....Take care all.