How do I know if I am getting enough treatment? I don't feel in better or worse. My neph. has got me on Cozaar 50 mil., but I'm still spilling protein. She told me this would stop the protein spillage. But since I started on this I still have protein spillage (no change), I feel bad, and I'm hurting.
that is all you are on?
what is your protein spill count?
The last time she done bloodwork was on 4/01/08 and for a dipstick test it was 32.0 mg. She says we'll put you on this and watch the progress. I guess I'm the guinea pig to see how much meds. I can stay off and to see if it really works. I really don't know if that is good or bad. I had thought about changing nephs. I'm just going crazy. Of course you go to a reg. doc. they keep asking me what kind of kidney disease and they say yeah and how did you get this. I tell them I don't know, she walks out of the room, the nurse comes in and says she's putting you on paxil, remeron, and budeprion sr and she needs to see ya back in 3 months. sorry to continue moaning and groaning.
I googled the medication and this is what I found:
HOW DO YOUR TABLETS WORK?
‘Cozaar’-Comp contains two active ingredients. These are losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide. Losartan belongs to a group of medicines known as angiotensin-II receptor antagonists. Angiotensin II is a chemical occurring in the body, which tightens your blood vessels making it harder for the blood to pass through them and causing your blood pressure to increase. ‘Cozaar’-Comp blocks this effect of angiotensin II, causing the blood vessels to relax. Hydrochlorothiazide works by making your kidneys pass more water and salt. Together, losartan and hydrochlorothiazide lower high blood pressure.
In patients with high blood pressure who have developed thickening of the heart muscle, ‘Cozaar’-Comp may help to lower the risk of stroke. There are no data to support this effect in Black patients.
So....it lowers your blood pressure. now why would that help with protein spillage?
This is a question you need to ask your nephrologist.
Take care,
Amelie
isn't the pred supposed to keep you from getting worse, but it's the blood pressure meds that help us get better? Or am i just really confused?
angiotensin II receptor blockers and another antagonist agent is often used initally to see if there is a drop in protein leakage. I have no clue how it is supposed to work, but it appears to be the usual protocol. If that doesn't work, then they are supposed to move on to the inflammation drugs...prednisone, cyclosporine, cellcelp, etc.
Does that seem like a lot of protein? I'm clueless when it comes to that. She does not help to much. I haven't seen her since Dec. I had to call her and leave a message, she didn't return my call a nurse did. I would go in person to get face to face, but I live about 1 hr. away.
I have learned to unfortunately never trust a doctor. I know some people may feel different. I have learned to ask a lot of questions, ask if you are spilling a lot, what is this medicine for how will this help, and what is your plan after that. Just ask them tons of questions. An hour doesn't seem that far to go and ask questions. If you don't like your doctor then get a new one. I am a big advocate of that! hope that helps!
Allison
There are numerous studies that support ARBs and ACE inhibitors reducing proteinuria. I've seen studies that say they have this effect independently of lowering blood pressure. I personally don't know how they work to reduce proteinuria. And of course, they don't work for everyone.
Beth, I think all these medications can help us get better and keep the disease from getting worse. They just work differently and do different things. For a while, I only took cyclosporine and spilled zero protein. I actually had to stop lisinopril because my creatinine was too high.
I hope the medicine continues to work. My neph. I don't like , but she's the one that is closest to me.
Regina - please get a different doctor or at least copy one of our med lists and take it to her. What diagnoses has she given? Whats the name of the nephrologist. Why don't you like him/her?
You should be on some type of immuno-suppressant and a low level of lasix. Tell them both about all of our med lists!!
Her name is Dr. Winn. She always seems like she's hiding something can't be open. I understand putting in terms so I can understand, but she candy coats it to much. I've seen her off and on for about 8 yrs after my oldest daughter was born (due to insurance problems), but, the first time I seen her was after the child was born. She took me off into a room, and asked if my husband was beating me to cause my kidneys almost shut down, while I was pregeant with my first. I was at about 5% and the ob-gyn said time for a c-section, baby needs to come out, scared to death. I had went to a differnt neph. for a 2nd opinion and he did a 24-hr., ultrasound got there he has the nerve to look me in the eyes (but not written on paper) You're completely healthy a little protein (810 mgs.). But I was healthy and he said I would give you a clean bill of heath. Well, one said I did and the other said I didn't ,time for a 3rd opinion got there my kidney function went from a 80% to a 67% within a few months it declined that much, no clue what to do . Get this my 3rd neph. he said I do have kidney disease. Of course, me I do I treat this, how did I get this, now what. He didn't want to answer much. No meds nothin but I see you back in a year, to check for progression. Well finally got insurance and now seeing her, took me 8 yrs. to find out what I have, but not really nothing to treat it. But of cousre I have insurance now she don't want to do anything. Just my luck! I live in a VERY small town and the closest thing from here is about an hour away. In Alabama you're kucky if you have a doc. around here. There is no help what so ever, me and my husband is disabled due to hurting his back at work and we can't get any kind of help Section 8 nothin.
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