I have kidney damage (please read if you eat a lot of antacids)

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

This is a bit hard for me to write; I generally keep my private life off the boards, so I normally wouldn’t write such a post as this, but I figure perhaps some good can come out of it.

Anway, late last year I developed a pain in my left upper thigh. I wasn’t particularly concerned over it, just assuming that I had pulled a muscle–I had recently been to a football game, and while there I jumped a fence to get around the crowd as I was leaving–it didn’t seem to hurt at the time, but I just figured it was one of those things, looking back on it. I know a pulled muscle can take a while to heal, so as many months went by, the pain lessened, and I figured that would be the end of it.

Back around mid June, however, the pain flared back up, intensely at times. It also started spreading into my lower back. At this point, I figured it was time to pay the doctor a visit. Some blood work was done, and I got a call back the very next day, telling me that my calcium was critically high, my potassium was critically low, and that I should check into the hospital immediately. They started giving me diuretics and hooked me up to an IV of potassium chloride, to flush out the calcium from my system, and to replace the potassium I needed. They kept me there for five days before everything was relatively back to normal. There were also indicators in my blood of kidney failure, and I guess this is really the most important part of my post:

I’ve had bad heartburn for several years, and over those years have eaten several cases of antacids, trying to keep it under control. I have a few friends in similar situations, and simply by the law of averages, I’m sure there are many people here who also make a habit of eating antacids. It turns out that, over the years, all of those antacids have left calcium deposits on my kidneys, virtually turning them to stone. I’m not sure what other factors were involved, the doctors specifically mentioned that my regular taking of ibuprofen also contributed to the problem, and I wouldn’t be surprised if somewhat heavy drinking at times in my life also contributed. This wasn’t something that happened overnight, it built up over a period of ten years or more.

Over the years, I had asked friends of mine (friends that I figured would know, such as nurses) if I could be doing any damage by eating antacids, and they told me they weren’t aware of any potential problems. But my point is this–If you take a lot of antacids, don’t assume that you’re not doing any damage, particularly if you also take ibuprofen. I had no idea that this could be a problem, and I’m sure a lot of you are unaware, as well. I have no idea if this is a common occurence, or if I’m just some sort of exception, but it shouldn’t be taken for granted.

As for me, the doctor expects I should retain about 30% of my kidney function. Dialysis isn’t necessary at this point–that’s generally not required until kidney function drops to 10 or 15%, but it is a possibility down the road–maybe 10 years from now, maybe 40, depending on how my kidneys hold out. I need to keep my diet low in calcium, I figure I should also give up drinking, and I really need to quit smoking, though that part has been difficult so far.

Anyway, I would also appreciate hearing advice/suggestions/experiences from others who have had kidney problems. I still get some pain in my thigh or kidney area, particularly if I have to be up and walking/standing around a lot–will this probably be something I’ll just have to learn to live with, or should it go away with time? Also welcome are suggestions on how to take better care of my kidneys from this point forward.

Thanks for listening.

2

No suggestions, but you have my sympathy and wishes for a speedy recovery.

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I would like to thank you as well. My SO eats antacids like candy, but doesn’t take ibuprofen. Your thread may just inspire him to make that long delayed doctors’ appointment.

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I want to thank you all for the well wishes! And bump this once for the day crowd.

5

Uh oh…Do you mind me asking what kind (s)of antacids you took? And were they the “plus calcium” kind? I’m just wondering if the brand or chemical makeup makes a difference.

Hope you feel better soon!

6

Should we also encourage those who have constant heartburn to talk to their doctor about new-generation drugs that relieve symptoms much like antacids do, such as Pepcid, and prescription drugs like Nexium and Prevacid (proton pump inhibitors)?

I’ve seen kidney failure on a familial scale. Polycystic kidney disease runs in my family (each child has a 50% chance of inheriting it from a parent that has it.) It forms multiple cysts on your kidneys and eventually renders them useless. My mother’s been on peritoneal dialysis for nearly five years. For the first four years she did it with no problems, and lived a fairly normal life. Last August, however, she had a stroke, and her problems have been numerous since then (she has currently been hospitalized since July 17th.)

I think people take their kidneys for granted. While filtering your blood is their function, when they fail they screw up a LOT of things. Bone loss, anemia, etc. There’s a REASON there’s a maximum dosage of two extra strength Tylenol at a time; any more than that can damage you over the long term. So think about the consequences of your actions. High blood pressure, excessive alcohol or drug use, and uncontrolled diabetes can all render you without functioning kidneys.
I’m very thankful we live in a time where kidney function can be replaced, but even the replacements aren’t an answer. Transplants aren’t a pretty process, either, and usually have to be repeated every five to ten years.

Thank you, Cabbage, for starting this thread. hehe. Today should be international kidney awareness day. Everyone give yourself a pat on your lower back for all that your kidneys do for you.

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Thanks, elfkin477! I do feel a lot better since I left the hospital; I still get some pain in my leg and back, but the difference between the pain I have now and the pain I had then is like night and day.

The antacids were regular Tums brand, so yeah, they had lots of calcium in them. Actually, I don’t know if there are any calcium free tablet antacids available any more–I’m pretty sure Rolaids used to be aluminum based, but last time I checked I think they had switched over to calcium, as well (I assume because of Alzheimer’s concerns, but I’m just guessing).

Phoebestar, I’ve been taking Pepcid AC ever since it went OTC–it helps much better than the antacids, but I often still got heartburn while taking it. In the past, I would usually take Pepcid AC to control the heartburn in the long run, and pop Tums whenever it flared up (which was still several times throughout most days). My doctor has told me to quit antacids entirely (of course), and he’s got me taking omeprazole (generic Prilosec)–that does a better job for me than OTC Pepcid AC, I still get a little heartburn from time to time, but it’s nothing much to complain about. I don’t have any experience with Nexium or Prevacid. I wish you, your family, and particularly your mother well.

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I get a lot of stomach acid reflux, and the last time I had a blood test I was told my potassium was low (“eat bananas” was the doc’s adice). Time to get myself a second opinion. Thanks for this thread.

Good luck to you, Cabbage.

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Cabbage, thanks for posting this thread. So much of my time is spent educating people who have no idea of the damage they are causing themselves by over the counter meds they take with prescribed meds.

When a doctor asks what medication you are currently taking, it is to make sure that the meds (s)he prescribes will interact well. Please make sure you include over the counter meds. And ASK QUESTIONS!! There is no such thing as a medication without side effects.

Cabbage, this link exists to help patients with kidney damage. I wish you luck.

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Cabbage, my husband is also an antacid junkie. I tell him it’s not good for him to eat so many, but he never listens. Unfortunately, he won’t go to a doctor unless he’s on death’s doorstep, so I don’t see this info being beneficial to him. It’ll be good for an “I told you so” for me some time in the future (not that I want to say it!).

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That’s a really good warning, Cabbage. I hope you recover to the maximum effect you possibly can. I just told Papa Tiger your tale, since he has a history of many years of ulcer disease and consequent antacid use. Fortunately, he’s had doctors keeping a very close eye on him and he’s doing fine now. But it’s really important to know about things like this; turns out Papa Tiger did but I wasn’t aware of it. I take ibuprofen but don’t use antacids much, so know I know!

And a second to what Phoebestar said about Tylenol. The 16-year-old daughter of a friend tried to commit suicide a few years ago by eating a whole bottle of Tylenol. Fortunately, the doctors were able to prevent total liver and kidney failure, but it was a very close call. Anyone with small children especially, be very careful with Tylenol in your house.

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It took a lot of courage and compassion to post that.
I’ll be wishing you the best.

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One more thanks here, I have a close relative who’s habits were/are close enough to yours to scare the hell outta me. I’ve forwarded the information.

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I’ve lived with my kidney disease for 20 years now. I’ve done quite a few things they told me I never would… I haven’t had any real physical pain from my illness except for when I had my biopsy… kidneys don’t like needles!

I also agree people take their kidneys for granted. I cringe when I see people guzzling protein ‘bulk-up’ shakes or when people do Atkins without a doctor’s ok!

There are quite a few kinds of kidney diseases but in general for good kidney health you need to drink plenty of water and not eat too much protein and watch how much medication you take. All the OTC painkillers have side effects so I pretty much bear the aches and pains of life without them. High blood pressure can also speed damage to kidneys so that needs to be monitored too!

I also take univasc, it is a high blood pressure medicine but it also helps prevent any further damage to my kidneys from the disease I have (focal segmental glomulerosclerosos for the curious.)

I hope you have a good nephrologist who watches you closely and answers all your questions!

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Thanks for the post, Cabbage. I can use this and won’t have to start my own. I have epilepsy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, GERD, a deviated septum, hypertensdion, sleep apne, bladder outlet obstruction, have had 7 eye surgeries. Did I mention that I’m depressed? And wear leg braces?

I take prozac, keppra, phenobarbital, ranitidine(ties in with the antacid discussion), terazosin, flonase, lamotrogine, lorazepam.

Yesterday I had a bilateral turbinate reduction. Turtbinates are folds of skin inside the nose. Mine are enlarged and block my nasal passages. Was given a local anesthetic and a little bit of turbinate was burnt off with a laser. I’m now usining a saline solution three times a dayu. A week from now I get to use the flonase and start wearing the bipap( sleep apnea breathing machine) unless, of course, the nose isn’t better. Any bets?

I quit my job in January, without another to go to, because I was so disgusted with the way I was treated. It doesn’t help that I’m dysfunctional and don’t suffer fools but that does not excuse being ignored and a few other stupidities. You wouldn’t believe them. OK, you probably would.

I looked for work, sort of, with the help of the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and concluded that I’m too sick and tired to put up with all these problems and work, too. I started to fill out an application for Social Security disability the other day.

I forgot to mention that I had two toes fused in May because they were curled up so much I couldn’t put my shoes.

My wife is the most wonderful person in the world and accepts that I probably won’t be working for a while. Cheers and good luck with your problems

16

Oh man! :eek: Don’t you dare die on us, we need you for the math threads! :wink:

Can kidneys be de-calcified or is it strictly a one way street?

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I work on a renal floor of a hospital. i could go on for days aboutthe patients i take care of, many of whom took things for granted (some still do).

to those who eat antacids, worry about the damage you’re doing. your first wake up call might just be a kidney stone. very painful…i’ve been told it’s worse than a woman’s labor. grown men weep in pain and not enough morphine in the world helps.

phoebestar has good advice. heartburn sufferers need to see a doc and get more appropriate drugs or even surgery to correct the problem.

a good nephrologist is a neccesity. i’ve only met one or two that i respect and trust.

and keep that tylenol use under check. liver transplants are uglier than kidney transplants, and much harder to come by.

18

Thanks for all the info Cabbage, and I sincerely hope your situation improves.

I recently got a prescription for Zantac for heartburn and it helped so much I started a thread about it.

I had only been using antacids heavily for about 2-3 years, but I will keep all this in mind and discuss it with my doctor.

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I can vouch for the fact that the new heartburn medications work well. I suffered from bad acid reflux for about 2 years before I broke down and saw a doctor. I was put on Zantac which relieved about 80% of my symptoms. On a follow up visit the doctor switched me to Prilosec. It completely removed the symptoms and after about 9 months of taking it I may be able to stop because my problems have all but disapeared even if I don’t take the medication (which I discussed with my doc).

20

Thanks again for all the replies and helpful advice! I got out of the hospital Sunday a little over a week ago, and I can really feel myself getting better day by day. The first few days I still had some sore areas in my legs, and I started getting leg cramps–sometimes having to stretch out on the floor for several minutes before the cramps would go away. I learned that low potassium can cause leg cramps, so I soon began eating a daily banana; I haven’t had any more cramps since!

While I was in the hospital I was under the watch of a local nephrologist, and I’m supposed to pay him a visit towards the end of this month. As I was leaving the hospital, he told me kidneys almost never fully recover from this kind of damage; I’m still hoping this could be an exception, but at the same time trying to keep realistic about it.