Dialysis symptoms and conditions

In 2002, my doctor prescribe Avalox after two, ten day doses of Levaquin didn't seem to work for a sinus infection. I was very tired, swollen, vomiting and unable to urinate. At the hospital tests determined that my blood sugar was out of control, as was my blood pressure. I had excess potassium and several other nutrients were depleted from my body. It felt as if bugs were inside my skin and my mouth was very dry.

I stayed in the hospital 12 days because my kidneys had shut down. I was put on dialysis. My new doctor says that my kidneys are still sick. I have excess protein. Normal levels are 17 and mine are about ten times higher. I have to take a pill to protect my kidneys every day.

I have learned a lot about natural medicine and have improved my health. It took a several months and painful biopsies before the experts determined the cause. It was a combination of the two drugs.
epbp.....VA

I was taking Topamax for about 4 years for chronic/daily migraines. It helped tremendously after I had taken almost everything else with no success. Then I had an episode where I ended up with 5 kidney stones. They passed but my neurologist wanted me off the Topamax in case that was the cause of them. I went off and my headaches came back with a vengeance. I had them daily until I begged my primary care doctor to put me back on Topamax. I honestly would rather have stones than daily headaches. I am a mother to four and have a husband and a job. I can't live with daily migraines. After being back on it for about two weeks the headaches have disappeared. I take 200 mg twice a day. I do have memory loss and loss of words big time. It is VERY frustrating. I feel stupid. But I can live with that. I have tingling cheeks , lips and hands. I'm sensitive to sun and have to wear my sunglasses a lot more now. I now talk in my sleep- a little nervous about that :) I lost weight last time around but haven't yet this time. I am very happy, not sure if that is the RX or just me reacting to not having headaches. I guess you have to weight the side effects with the benefits. The choice is ultimately up to you. Good luck everyone!

My husband, a 55 year old diabetic who is currently on dialysis was initially prescribed 20 mg Lipitor about 5 years ago. He began experiencing leg pains, but continued to take the drug. In May 2007 in suffered a minor stroke (clot). Upon release from the hospital, the neurologist prescribed an 80 mg dose claiming studies showed those who have had a stroke benefit from the higher dosage. He recovered from the stroke and was able to return to work in August 2007. On December 31, 2007 he suffered another stroke, however this time it was a full blown cerebral hemorrhage. After he suffered this stroke, I searched Lipitor on the web and to my surprise found an article that stated the higher dosage of Lipitor could cause brain bleeds in people who have suffered a prior stroke. I truly believe this high dosage of Lipitor was the cause, however the neurologist and his regular doctor say no. Of course they would say that, since they are the ones who put him on it in the first place. They blame it on the fact that he has other health issues, however he has been on dialysis since the beginning of 2004 and was able to work and function normally. Needless to say, when he was released from the hospital, Lipitor was no longer one of his prescribed medications. They wanted to prescribe a low dose statin of a different brand, but his cholesterol levels have been excellent without them and I won't let him take another statin. The damage is done, he has difficulty walking, has lost his balance and was forced to go on permanent disbility. He was an active volunteer fire fighter for 35+ years and the fact that he can no longer do all the things he use to do depresses him.

Hi

My mom is in a nursing home and has CKD. After her nephrologist told me to try Renavite, her kidney function improved...of course, the BUN and creatine improved also. She is diabetic, not on dialysis, and her kidney function went up from 15 percent to 19 percent after she started taking RenaVite.

I attribute the improvement to Renavite.

I had Mirena put in on November 2002. I had no problem with the process of having it put in but when I went back for my three weeks check up my GYN had to take it out and replace it because it was not where it was suppose to be. Eight months later I woke up one morning really sick. Almost with Flu like symptoms. I had a fever of 104.0. I went to the ER and while I was there I became even worse. My hands and feet drew up and I was in server pain and my body had started loosing all feeling. After two hours of testing they find out that the IUD had came out and inserted itself in my cervix causing a pelvic infection and blood poisoning. I was taken to surgery to have the IUD removed. I had to go through blood dialysis. It took me almost two years to recover from having the Mirena IUD. I don't recommend it to anyone. I know every person is different but I wanted women to know that this risk is out there.

My mom took Levaquin for a sinus infection and within three days of starting the medicine her kidneys began to fail. Her heart rate and blood pressure were elevated. After 6 months of going to doctor after doctor, she was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure. Now she is on dialysis three times a week. The kicker...she had just had a complete physical with a blood work up three weeks prior to taking Levaquin and she was absolutely fine. Now, she's dying of chronic kidney disease.

My husband is on dialysis 3 days a week, he went to the hospital for irregular heart beats and a low pulse rate...39 to 48. The Docs found a low grade lung infection......they could not do anything for him heart wise...said no pacemaker, however the discharging doctor prescribed AVELOX 400 MG, KNOWING HE IS A KIDNEY PATIENT. end stage renial failure, with irregular heart beats and low pulse rate....he now has extreme head aches,,,heart rate even worse...........I put in a call to the hospital....no return call.....so I stopped my husband from taking the Avelox 400 mg.

I have been taking Lisinopril 40mg.for about 4 months now for high BP. It works very well for the BP issue. Since I have started taking it I have had the dry cough, but its not so bad that I would have change anything because of the fact that it IS helping my BP. I have also noticed that I have been getting the numbness in my arms mostly my left. My Nephrologist mentioned that its Steal Syndrom caused from my Fistula Creation (dialysis access). After reading these posted side affects I think its from Lisinopril. ALSO, in the past 2 months I have been getting acne. First thought it was from my diet, but I have not changed anything in my diet. Its almost like my body is trying to get rid of something in my system. This is not the ordinary acne problem, this is on my face, back of my neck(hairline), on my shoulders and back. The "acne" gets very bad and when I get something out of the sores it has a very strong metallic type smell. Also, I am experiencing the itching, which has been getting worse the past few days. As of today I will NOT be taking any more Lisinopril. I am certain Lisinopril is the cause of all of my problems. Has anyone experienced acne from this product??

Thanks,
Shawn
36yo, Minnesota

In June I found out I had actue renal failure. One of the many medications I was given was prednisone. After a few weeks I grew so weak, tired and in a lot of pain. I even had to take a medical leave from work(4 months).
I was told to expect the moon face, hunchback, the acne..However, my sypmptoms worsened to point I didn't want to eat(lost 30 lbs) could hardly move and had to be hospitalized(almost went on dialysis). They flushed me out for a week at the hospital and avoided dialysis.
Once out of the hospital I proceeded to keep the weight off, but the side effects just mounted. I had thrush in the mouth(the worst feeling), sleeplessness, I had every side effect listed and I mean all with the exception of hallucinations and depression. The miracle was that what I was expecting weight gain, moon face did not happen.
Around September my doctor started weaning me off prednisone b/c I told him I cant take it anymore. Wouldn't you know it the minute I started getting weaned off the medication I got the moon face and acne. I cant beleive how much acne I have and the moon face and extra chin that came along with it are not cute. In 3 days I gained 10lbs and feel like I'm gainiing everyday. This might bring on the depression that has yet to occur. Why is this happening now that I'm being weaned. I started at 80mg a day and now I'm down to 30mg and next week down to 20mg.
I know this drug did its job and I pray that I dont have to be on it at all once the weaning process is over, but this is hell. I really feel doctors should tell you everything that you can expect. I didnt know enough about this drug(I know there is the internet I should have used it) and had I known then what I know now I seriously might have asked for some alternatives. This drug may be a miracle in the medical community, but for those of us who have to take it, its hell. Does anyone know how long it will take for the moon face, acne, and weight gain to go away?

I have been taking some form of Lithium Carbonate since 1972. About one year ago after taking a routine blood test prescribed by my psychiatrist, I was told my creatine level was somewhat spiked. The psych referred me to a nephrologist. After examination by the nephrologist, I was told I had 50% less kidney function and he believed to be my long-time intake of lithium carbonate products. The nephrologist also informed me that I would not regain function and perhaps suffer further loss of kidney function which would require dialysis. My psych immediately took me off Lithium and I suffered the extreme side effects of replacement meds like Carbamabazine (generic Tegretol).

I am a caregiver for my 75 yo stroke victim Mom; on dialysis, diabetes and hypertension. I took her to the ER fearing she was suffering from either another stroke or heart attack but they couldn't find anything instead of spots of pneumonia in her lungs. The ER doc prescribe her Levaquin 500mg, and she became "looney" for 5 days; verbally combative, talking to herself incessantly while slipping in and out of consciousness in between. Short term memory was lost - big time! On the 5th day, I read the med literature Walmart Pharm inserted in the bag. IN BOLD LETTERS, IT WARNED: BE CAREFUL IN GIVING THIS MED TO ELDERLY. They may be more susceptible to suffer from side effects of dizziness, weakness and tremors. So I stopped giving it to her that very day, the next morning she open her eyes wide but slept for 2 days. As if to regain strength from what she went through for 5 days. Then, 2 days ago, she suffered from tremors or muscle spasm in her injured leg which caused her to scream in pain. I wonder if this still the side effects of Levaquin!?!

Leizel S.
Gloucester, VA

Due to renal transplant (Kidney) I have to be real careful of what types of antibiotics I take. I took my prescription to the pharmacy. The pharmacist at Walgreens stated it had a major drug interaction with my anti-rejection medication. After working with the doctor they prescribed Sulfameth. It worked wonders. I did feel some sadness and was alittle irritable but that outwayed taking the chance that the upper respirtory infection damaged my kidneys and increased my creatnine to where I would be back on dialysis. so a little discomfort for me helped maintain my way of life and that is living my life to fullest and not becoming or behaving like a victim.

I cannot imagine that you would be able to sue the company.
With WARNINGS posted on the box and all the literature, it's
almost spelled out in black & white. I guess everyone is free to make up their mind..........which is the lesser of the two evils? Do you breathe, or...........do you use the medication?
That seems to be the choice. My Dr. did take me off the Advair, but I ask for it back because I could not get my breath. So I went back on it knowing what the outcome could be.
I believe it's true with MOST of the medications. I know a person with a heart transplant. The anti-rejection medication gave him cancer. He was told that before it was started, but he had to take the medication or his heart would reject.
Now, his kidneys are ruined from it too and it's a kidney transplant to dialysis. There were a lot of risks with all of it, and I believe that can be the case with all the medications.
It's a choice we all have to make personally.

Hello,
I have been on Prednisone since October of 1987,
I take it every morning 10 mg. one morning alternating to 5mg. the next morning back and forth to keep from rejecting a Kidney Transplant that I received.
My side effect is: I have Bone deterroration in my Spine from it and I cannot quit taking it or I will loose my Transplant and have to go back on dialysis, that I was already on for 10 years befor I received the Transplant.
That dosn't give me much of a Choice.

I have been taking clonidine .3mg for over 4 yrs now. At first the only side effect I would have would be drowsiness. After one year on this medication I have experienced multiple ulcers on my feet and ankles, shortness of breath when trying to reduce the amount of medication taken, and finally the inability for a restful sleep. One more major side effect End Stage Renal Disease or Kidney Failure!!! I have been on dialysis for 3 yrs now

Angela,
It broke my heart to read your post. U sound just like me after I had a kidney transplant and had to take pred. I ballooned up so big. My face certainly had "MOON FACE" like I've mentioned in my other posts, I have three sizes of clothes. It's very depressing and no matter how much support u have, it's still your body and it is all about us. We can't help how we feel about ourselves. It's the pred. The self-esteem flys out the window. I've gone thru this so much. I was on pred. for 4 yrs. I have been off pred. for three months. I've lost weight but I have about 25 more to go. I gained around 75-80 lbs. myself. I've lost 33 now. I was so skinny before pred. because of dialysis. I don't want to be that skinny again, that's why I want to lose only 25 more. It's very hard to lose. How long do u have to be on it?
Withdrawal is very hard,also. No matter what people say, when we look into the mirror, it's depressing. I promise u, after u stop taking it, tho it will take time, u will lose it. U r in my prayers. I'm so sorry that u have to feel like this because I've been there, am there, and have a ways to go. Maybe as time goes on, your body will eventually will adjust. I assume u will be on it for some time. I certainly understand the depression. God Bless You Trailblazen

i just started to take this cephalexin(april 19 2004) i'm taking it for an infected stitches from a fistual bein put in for dialysis i have chronic kidney failure so if you no that this will hurt my kidneys please tell me i'm 17% kidney fution almost ready for dialysis thanks linda