Early symptoms of lupus nephritis?

If you have LN, what were your early symptoms? I've been researching a lot, and I see my doctor on Monday.

The last 2 months, I've had both overflow incontinence and difficulty urinating (voiding issue). No pain when urinating. Up to use the bathroom between 10 and 15 times a night. This past month my legs and ankles and feet have been swelling more than normal.

Like I said, I see my doctor Monday and I'm sure he'll do some tests - but I wanted to hear from others who have or had LN.

THANK YOU!!

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it

Most common symptoms are blood and/or protein in urine. Blood sometimes is so slight it is not that noticeable and protein results in "bubbly" urine. Also, edema mainly in lower limbs....ankles, feet, lower legs. Time to see a nephrologist if any of these symptoms occur.

Bill

Probably were caused by lupus because I didn't have them before getting lupus and haven't had them for years. I believe it was general inflammation and caused problems absorbing nutrients and meds. No further GI issues.

I was very, very ill with lupus and polymyositis and almost died in 2005. Lost 40 lbs of muscle in a week which left me fighting for my life, quadriplegic and with a feeding tube. Lupus attacked my GI tract, kidneys, blood and all my joints. Also some cognitive impairment. PM has been in remission for 12 years but lupus came back attacking my liver and blood. Still dealing with extremely low platelets now. Guys who get lupus at an old age (mid 60s) tend to have different issues and much more severe than younger patients.

Lupus can attack any part of our body and every case is different. General treatment for lupus usually helps but not always. Many try diet changes but I am skeptical of much of that but some claim it helps. Worth a try particularly if your diet is not good anyway.

Bill

"Most common symptoms are blood and/or protein in urine. Blood sometimes is so slight it is not that noticeable and protein results in 'bubbly' urine."

I have that. Plus, I have systemic inflammation in my muscles/tendons and just got over a case of eye inflammation.

I have Ulcerative Colitis and was on Prednisone, Remicade, and 6MP last year.

I wouldn't be surprised if the inflammation I'm experiencing now is drug-induced due to having been on these medications.

It's gotten to the point that the only thing that helps is diet, and thank goodness diet is working, albeit very slowly.

I recommend reading The Paleo Approach: Reverse Autoimmune Disease, Heal Your Body. It's written by a medical doctor who has done extensive research into foods and how they affect the immune system.

I'm so thankful that I found this book. The diet is really difficult to follow, but so far my kidneys are still functioning. My systemic inflammation numbers are declining and my urine RBC count has dropped. The WBC count and protein numbers are still high though.

I think for me it was a lack of desire to eat-severe nausea, frequent urination (discomfort) protein in urine, and my urine had a foamy look to it.