Guest guest Posted December 7, 2004 Report Share Posted December 7, 2004 HI Steve, First let me welcome you to the group! I am glad you found your way here although sorry you had a need to do so. Your numbers are great, so that is a good predictor. As far as BP, having uncontrolled high BP is definitely a predictor of progression, but not if it is well controlled. I urge you to keep a close eye on your BP and make sure it stays in check. I am not sure about heat exhaustion and IgAN. I have not heard of a connection there. Were you well hydrated? Welcome again, In a message dated 12/7/2004 1:00:45 PM Pacific Standard Time, smills99_2000@... writes: > > Well, looking over my labs since it was originally noticed, very > little has change. My CR is 1.1 and GFR is 117. I don't remember the > protein level, but it was within the normal range. So I feel lucky. > However, about 6 months ago my BP started to rise to the point where I > needed to be medicated. The medication is working well and the BP is > controlled. My first question is: do you consider and increase in BP > to be a predictor of progression of the disease. > > My second question: About the same time I was put on BP medicine, I > had a couple of episodes of heat exhaustion. I'm not completely sure > it was heat exhaustion or just the effects of the BP medicine making > me dizzy, etc. During one of these episodes I had flank pain while > trying to rehydrate myself. My question is, does IGAN create a > greater risk for heat exhaustion or dehydration? > > Thanks for any help and I look forward to being part of the group. At > least I don't feel so alone anymore. > > -Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 7, 2004 Report Share Posted December 7, 2004 Hi Steeve! Welcome. I'm newish on here too, but it's been great for me so far. I don't know why exactly, but many people don't seem to be able to recognize IGAN. When I first noticed blood in the urine, I went to the local emergency room. They ran roughly a hundred tests and then sent me home. They had absolutely no idea. They are like, oh yeah, there's blood in your urine. I'm like, yeah thanks. I knew that much. Luckily it wasn't something needing immediate attention or I'd be out of luck. They did get me connected with a neph who knew, but that was days later. As for your heat exhaustion, I had something similar a while back. My doc said it was related to the BP medicine. He said it was cuz my blood pressure was too low. He reminded me to keep well hydrated and changed my BP med. Since I've been on this new one, I haven't had any issues, and it's been over five years. When it got hot and I was outside doing a lot of activity, I would sometimes get really dizzy and light-headed. I once even fainted. It was pretty scary at the time. I'm not sure whether it is the new med causing the change, or just that I've learned how to take better care of myself in the heat. I think it may be both. You might mention to your doc about what you are experiencing. Perhaps a new BP med would help. What I am on now is called Avapro. It works well. Also definitely stay hydrated. That made a big difference for me too. I can't know for sure cuz I'm not a doctor, but I think your experience is more or less normal. Not necessarily good, but not uncommon either. Good luck to ya. Keep the questions coming. AKA Chelle Heat exhaustion Hello, I'm am new to this group so forgive me if I ask questions that have been asked many times over. I could just look through the archives, but it wouldn't be as satisfying. So I am 37 and have probably had IGAN since about 23. That was when blood was discovered in my urine. However, after seeing 8 doctors, two of whom were urologist, nobody could figure out what was wrong. They just said " that's just normal for your body. " Anyway, about a year ago I was describing the symptoms (dark urine during a viral infection, etc) to my sister-in-law who is a pediatrician and she said, " oh, sounds like you have IGAN " . I find it baffling that after seeing all these doctors over the years that it took a relative who was a pediatrician to correctly diagnose me or even have the foresight to suggest I see a nephrologist. I have since seen an nephrologist and he thinks it's IGAN. Well, looking over my labs since it was originally noticed, very little has change. My CR is 1.1 and GFR is 117. I don't remember the protein level, but it was within the normal range. So I feel lucky. However, about 6 months ago my BP started to rise to the point where I needed to be medicated. The medication is working well and the BP is controlled. My first question is: do you consider and increase in BP to be a predictor of progression of the disease. My second question: About the same time I was put on BP medicine, I had a couple of episodes of heat exhaustion. I'm not completely sure it was heat exhaustion or just the effects of the BP medicine making me dizzy, etc. During one of these episodes I had flank pain while trying to rehydrate myself. My question is, does IGAN create a greater risk for heat exhaustion or dehydration? Thanks for any help and I look forward to being part of the group. At least I don't feel so alone anymore. -Steve To edit your settings for the group, go to our Yahoo Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/iga-nephropathy/ To unsubcribe via email, iga-nephropathy-unsubscribe Visit our companion website at www.igan.ca. The site is entirely supported by donations. If you would like to help, go to: http://www.igan.ca/id62.htm Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 8, 2004 Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 Welcome to the group, Steve. People with more advanced chronic renal insufficiency (which IgAN eventually leads to in many cases) may have problems with regulating fluids to varying degrees. Retaining fluid is more common, but dehydration is not that incommon either, especially because of the pills many have to take. Some of the BP meds might make some people prone to dehydration. Other than the above, there's really nothing I know of about IgAN that would cause heat exhaustion. Interestingly, though I'm 51 now, and on dialysis since 2 years ago, my IgAN started much the same way as yours. It was just some invisible blood in the urine on a routine medical. Then many investigations. At first, a urologist concluded there was nothing to worry about, and that some people may just pass protein congenitally, and the blood was attributed to a minor irration he found while doing a cystoscopy of the urinary tract. Other than what may be only microscopic blood in the urine, and a bit of protein, there may not be anything to see in terms of the kidneys. Kidney function is perfectly normal, and even a kidney ultrasound shows nothing unusual. Because the symptoms are mild, a biopsy might not be ordered for years. This is exactly what happened to me. So, about 23 or 24. Then, carried on with life, married, had kids and raised a family. At about age 36, I started having high blood pressure. This got progressively worse, and it truly became the most significant problem I had from having IgAN. I finally needed to start dialysis in 2002, a good 25 years after that blood was first discovered in my urine. I still remember it like it was yesterday, the doctor coming out and saying, " Do you know you have blood in your urine? " At the time, denial set in, and I attributed it to a hit I took a few weeks before while playing broomball. Anyway, it doesn't really matter what they did or didn't say in the past. What matters is what you have now, and since you're still only 36 and you have 100% kidney function, you may never reach kidney failure, especially if you can keep your blood pressure under very good control. Denial made me skip my BP meds for a few years, and I'm almost certain that otherwise, I could have avoided dialysis for a few more years at least. Also, it's important to note that the BP meds we take for kidney disease are much better nowadays. Good luck. Pierre P.S. Even when you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, and you are put on medication, blood pressure varies all the time, and there can be some episodes where it's actually too low. This is when you get dizzy standing up, or doing things like standing in line, etc. Extreme cold raises BP, and extreme heat lowers it. Taking a hot bath can lower BP significantly for a short while. Heat exhaustion > > > Hello, > > I'm am new to this group so forgive me if I ask questions that have > been asked many times over. I could just look through the archives, > but it wouldn't be as satisfying. > > So I am 37 and have probably had IGAN since about 23. That was when > blood was discovered in my urine. However, after seeing 8 doctors, > two of whom were urologist, nobody could figure out what was wrong. > They just said " that's just normal for your body. " Anyway, about a > year ago I was describing the symptoms (dark urine during a viral > infection, etc) to my sister-in-law who is a pediatrician and she > said, " oh, sounds like you have IGAN " . I find it baffling that after > seeing all these doctors over the years that it took a relative who > was a pediatrician to correctly diagnose me or even have the foresight > to suggest I see a nephrologist. I have since seen an nephrologist > and he thinks it's IGAN. > > Well, looking over my labs since it was originally noticed, very > little has change. My CR is 1.1 and GFR is 117. I don't remember the > protein level, but it was within the normal range. So I feel lucky. > However, about 6 months ago my BP started to rise to the point where I > needed to be medicated. The medication is working well and the BP is > controlled. My first question is: do you consider and increase in BP > to be a predictor of progression of the disease. > > My second question: About the same time I was put on BP medicine, I > had a couple of episodes of heat exhaustion. I'm not completely sure > it was heat exhaustion or just the effects of the BP medicine making > me dizzy, etc. During one of these episodes I had flank pain while > trying to rehydrate myself. My question is, does IGAN create a > greater risk for heat exhaustion or dehydration? > > Thanks for any help and I look forward to being part of the group. At > least I don't feel so alone anymore. > > -Steve > > > > > > > To edit your settings for the group, go to our Yahoo Group > home page: > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/iga-nephropathy/ > > To unsubcribe via email, > iga-nephropathy-unsubscribe > Visit our companion website at www.igan.ca. The site is entirely supported by donations. If you would like to help, go to: > http://www.igan.ca/id62.htm > > Thank you > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 8, 2004 Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 Thanks to all for the warm welcome. After explaining my heat exhaustion problem to my Dr., he switched my BP medicine. I haven't had another episode since, but I haven't really stressed myself since then either. I feel I was well hydrated at the time and actually had a blood pressure cuff with me at the time that indicated my BP was high not low. Of course, that could have been due to anxiety at the time. Thanks Pierre for the insight into your history. I have periods where I worry a lot and then periods where I don't worry very much. It's like my body is saying, you're not doing yourself any good, stop worrying. Then, I forget and start worrying again. I also still have very vivid memories of when I first learned I had blood in my urine. At least I'm comforted by the fact that I still have good kidney function. I know others here including yourself are in more advanced stages than I and so I feel a little guilty explaining my situation, but I truely appreciate the opportunity to comminicate with everyone. Thank you for what you've done with the forum and website. -Steve > Welcome to the group, Steve. > > People with more advanced chronic renal insufficiency (which IgAN eventually > leads to in many cases) may have problems with regulating fluids to varying > degrees. Retaining fluid is more common, but dehydration is not that > incommon either, especially because of the pills many have to take. > > Some of the BP meds might make some people prone to dehydration. > > Other than the above, there's really nothing I know of about IgAN that would > cause heat exhaustion. > > Interestingly, though I'm 51 now, and on dialysis since 2 years ago, my IgAN > started much the same way as yours. It was just some invisible blood in the > urine on a routine medical. Then many investigations. At first, a urologist > concluded there was nothing to worry about, and that some people may just > pass protein congenitally, and the blood was attributed to a minor irration > he found while doing a cystoscopy of the urinary tract. Other than what may > be only microscopic blood in the urine, and a bit of protein, there may not > be anything to see in terms of the kidneys. Kidney function is perfectly > normal, and even a kidney ultrasound shows nothing unusual. Because the > symptoms are mild, a biopsy might not be ordered for years. This is exactly > what happened to me. So, about 23 or 24. Then, carried on with life, > married, had kids and raised a family. At about age 36, I started having > high blood pressure. This got progressively worse, and it truly became the > most significant problem I had from having IgAN. I finally needed to start > dialysis in 2002, a good 25 years after that blood was first discovered in > my urine. I still remember it like it was yesterday, the doctor coming out > and saying, " Do you know you have blood in your urine? " At the time, denial > set in, and I attributed it to a hit I took a few weeks before while playing > broomball. > > Anyway, it doesn't really matter what they did or didn't say in the past. > What matters is what you have now, and since you're still only 36 and you > have 100% kidney function, you may never reach kidney failure, especially if > you can keep your blood pressure under very good control. Denial made me > skip my BP meds for a few years, and I'm almost certain that otherwise, I > could have avoided dialysis for a few more years at least. Also, it's > important to note that the BP meds we take for kidney disease are much > better nowadays. > > Good luck. > > Pierre > P.S. Even when you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, and you are put > on medication, blood pressure varies all the time, and there can be some > episodes where it's actually too low. This is when you get dizzy standing > up, or doing things like standing in line, etc. Extreme cold raises BP, and > extreme heat lowers it. Taking a hot bath can lower BP significantly for a > short while. > > Heat exhaustion > > > > > > > > Hello, > > > > I'm am new to this group so forgive me if I ask questions that have > > been asked many times over. I could just look through the archives, > > but it wouldn't be as satisfying. > > > > So I am 37 and have probably had IGAN since about 23. That was when > > blood was discovered in my urine. However, after seeing 8 doctors, > > two of whom were urologist, nobody could figure out what was wrong. > > They just said " that's just normal for your body. " Anyway, about a > > year ago I was describing the symptoms (dark urine during a viral > > infection, etc) to my sister-in-law who is a pediatrician and she > > said, " oh, sounds like you have IGAN " . I find it baffling that after > > seeing all these doctors over the years that it took a relative who > > was a pediatrician to correctly diagnose me or even have the foresight > > to suggest I see a nephrologist. I have since seen an nephrologist > > and he thinks it's IGAN. > > > > Well, looking over my labs since it was originally noticed, very > > little has change. My CR is 1.1 and GFR is 117. I don't remember the > > protein level, but it was within the normal range. So I feel lucky. > > However, about 6 months ago my BP started to rise to the point where I > > needed to be medicated. The medication is working well and the BP is > > controlled. My first question is: do you consider and increase in BP > > to be a predictor of progression of the disease. > > > > My second question: About the same time I was put on BP medicine, I > > had a couple of episodes of heat exhaustion. I'm not completely sure > > it was heat exhaustion or just the effects of the BP medicine making > > me dizzy, etc. During one of these episodes I had flank pain while > > trying to rehydrate myself. My question is, does IGAN create a > > greater risk for heat exhaustion or dehydration? > > > > Thanks for any help and I look forward to being part of the group. At > > least I don't feel so alone anymore. > > > > -Steve > > > > > > > > > > > > > > To edit your settings for the group, go to our Yahoo Group > > home page: > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/iga-nephropathy/ > > > > To unsubcribe via email, > > iga-nephropathy-unsubscribe > > Visit our companion website at www.igan.ca. The site is entirely supported > by donations. If you would like to help, go to: > > http://www.igan.ca/id62.htm > > > > Thank you > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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