Nephrotic Syndrome

[Guest]

I also have lupus nephritis and have only one kidney due to a Whilms tmor that was removed when I was 4yrs old. My labs are not your average labs results to be sure. My creatinine level was 1.8 and BUN was 30 and my urine protein was 13.0, my serum albumin is normal! My blood counts are all low for me but thats whats happens when lupus gets active in me. My nephrologist isn't in too much of hurry to over treat my nephrotic syndrome as that could do damage to my kidney as well. I am on 40mgs of pred a day and 125mgs of cyclosporine 2x a day. I've been on the cyclosporine about 9 months, and at that its a very low dose. I have alot of GI troubles with lupus, causing vomiting, nausea and diarrhea that makes me very prone to dehydration. He is thinking about a repeat biopsy but only if the damage gets worse. I see him about every 3-4 weeks since lupus has gotten active again. What is your opinion of his way of treating me at this point?? I'm due to have another 24 hrs urine collection here before long is things keeping going backwards....my worst GFR was 39. My creatine level has never gotten higher than 2.3 at any time.

[Guest]

Lupus can effect the kidney in several different ways and a kidney Bx helps along with the labs to determine the severity of lupus nephritis. There are different treatment options for Lupus nephritis including:
Steroids
Cytoxan
Cyclosporin
Cellcept
imuran

Each patient must be evaluated indivdually to determine the best treatment couse. Often a repeat kidny biopsy is necessary to help on treatment decisisons.

Non-specfic therapy such as ace-i, bp lowering; cholesterol control alos are important
[quote] I also have lupus nephritis and have only one kidney due to a Whilms tmor that was removed when I was 4yrs old. My labs are not your average labs results to be sure... [/quote]