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I am 59 and facing my second hip replacement. My ortho also sees vertibrate compression he is worried about. I've never been in a hospital or had any issues for my first 55 years, even playing full court basketball up until my diagnosis. I've been diagnosed with FSGS for 5-6 years and have been on prednisone therapy with Cellcept. Has anyone else seen cartilage degradation due either to this disease or prednisone?
Surgery CellCept Arthritis Degenerative disc disease Prednisone
Dennis, I am 60 and was diagnosed at 58 with FSGS. I have been on prednisone and cellcept too. My lower back is a mess. The vertebrae appear ragged and are rubbing together which is very painful. I thought this was just my age but I am sure the meds did not help.
Hi Dennis-
I also have severe joint problems, as well as severe peripheral artery disease, secondary to the high lipids that FSGS causes. Due to these 2 disease problems, I was approved for Social Security immediately after applying.
I have degenerative disc disease as well as degenerative joint disease (arthritis) of the spine, from L3 to S1 of the lumbar spine. I get facet nerve blocks in that are every 8-12 months and they are a life saver. I also have severe hip problems, but everone I have seen blames the back...I know there is a big hip problem and I see a hip specialist tomorrow, so maybe he can help me.
Due to the peripheral artery disease, I am terrified of any surgery and limb loss from the procedure...I currently only have 30% blood flow from the kidneys down, so that also blows any chances of a transplant, unless I have a massive open bypass of the thoracic aorta, which has a very high mortality rate...no thanks.
I am only 40 and have not been on any of those drugs more than 2 weeks, but I do believe it is related to the FSGS.
Hello, Dennis. You may want to consider attending our upcoming Patient Seminar sponsored by The NephCure Foundation. It's a "Lunch and Learn" being held on 11/7 at the Hotel Angeleno in Brentwood. Let me know if you'd like more information. Catherine Lepone, The NephCure Foundation.
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