Carolha11 years ago

I knew I had problems with my kidneys before being referred to a specialist for lupus, which is still under investigation. The thing is with kidneys people generally don't have any signs in the early stages of Chronic Kidney Disease, it's only if they are having a routine blood test including kidney function tests that something shows up. If you find you are getting symptoms you need to go to see the doctor straight away. Swelling of feet, ankles, legs, hands or face. Have a look at the NHS website. Sorry I can't be more specific than that, as I'm still waiting for lupus diagnosis but if I do have it, it answers my questions to why I have my health problems. Hope you find your answers soon. Xx

Lizzie0211 years ago

Hi - I was diagnosed with Lupus Nephritis 2 years ago and the first signs of this were actually in 1999 when I was having antenatal checks with my last child! Traces of blood were continually being found in my urine samples and nobody could understand why! I had continuous tests and it was only in 2003 I was diagnosed with Vasculitis which eventually morphed into Lupus over time. A kidney biopsy confirmed Lupus Nephritis and over time my ankles and legs began to swell - I am now on Steroids and Immune Suppressants which have been really effective and are keeping the disease well under control.

Chapter11 years ago

This is interesting, Lizzie2, can you tell me was the diagnosis of Vasculitis because of blood in urine? I have had blood in my urine for about 10 years and last two years showing trace protein. Doctors don't really acknowledge it - well I do get checkup every 3 months, but when I bring it up they just brush aside. I would like someone to say, yes we see it but it is not a concern at this time, instead they just change subject. I would like to know what I can do today to stop it from going further, rather than wait until it is a bigger issue. Sorry Lizzie2, putting it on you, but you are a voice with experience. Thank you for any input on this.

LloydE11 years ago

The best thing to do is to stick to a low or no salt diet. Avoid eating red meat more than once a week (you need to keep your pottassiium levels down as well).

Symptons of renal failure are swollen legs, ankles, the small of your back (Odema) vomiting, feeling dehydrated. The biggest problem with the symptons are that they dont feel life threatning. When you are in a normal flare, you feel ill, with Kidneys you feel ill but its like you have a cold ill, not if i do not go into the hospital tomorrow i will need a kidney transplant ill.

You cant really tell if your urine has any blood in it unless you have blood tests and even then the results can come back as fine but be a lot worse a few days, weeks later. Frothy urine is a sign you can see. Check if your urine is always leaves froth around the edges of the toliet.

The only concrete way of knowing is blood and urine tests.

JenniferZhou11 years ago

I've been diagnosed with lupus nephritis 2 years now.

For me, I can never really tell if I'm just having a mild flare, except the occasional time when i have swelling, but when it's bad the same sequence of things always happen.

1. Dizziness and legs just going weak (likely attributed to sudden drop in blood pressure).

2. Vomitting.

3. Really bad stomach pain.

These 3 things happen pretty simultaneously during a bad flare and each time this has happened I've been in hospital for at least 2 weeks.

Upon admission, blood tests always show dangerously high potassium, high creatine, low protein levels and lots of protein and blood in the urine. And yes like someone else said, I've been advised to be on a low salt diet, to the extreme where I pretty much take in next to no salt other than the ones naturally occurring in meat/vegetables!

chucch11 years ago

Hi Crankyme (love the name by the way!)

LloydE has summed it all up to a T.

I was diagnosed with Lupus Nephritis almost 2 years ago and had the exact same symptoms that LloydE has described.

What's your Diagnosis?

Are you currently seeing a Specialist?

If not i would strongly advise you to get your doctor to refer you to one

crankyme11 years ago

Ok folks thanks for the help my problem is my water output!I drink lots of tea coffee and more water than I ever did yet not really a lot of output when I go to the loo. I still go at least every hour and feel fit to burst sometimes but not a lot there if you know what I mean.

Herb11 years ago

The main problem with lupus is nephritis, this is inflammation in the kidneys and is dangerous. It shows up with raised blood pressure and protein in urine. That is why all lupus clinics test your urine.

Herb10 years ago

Other signs: Swelling, for example ankles, high blood pressure, protein in urine (should do a mid-stream urine sample when giving the sample), abnormal signs in the blood tests.

Yes, the low salt diet with reduced meat consumption is a good idea but no substitute for regular blood pressure, urine analysis and blood tests. If there is a problem with the kidneys established a special diet may be necessary but you can get a referral to a dietitian who knows about how to advise with this.