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5 ASA's and Kidney Issues

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Posted 4/19/2010 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone had issues with their kidney function from taking 5 ASA's?

My GI suggested I see an internist as my creatinine levels were high.  They did a 24 hour urinalysis, and my glomerular filration rate is low and I have interstitial nephritis.  Long story short, I now have to stop taking Lialda to see if that is what is causing it.  The risk of having flares is less harmful than the damage this could be doing to my kidneys.  If the kidney conditions don't improve after being off the Lialda, then I guess it's a whole other problem.

Anyone have an experience like this?

Posted 4/19/2010 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
I am not quite sure if what I am experiencing is due to the 5-ASA's, getting older or something else. But I just recently went to a Urologist because I was having difficulty urinating (still am actually). I had a cystoscope done and everything was fine however, I have been having microscopic blood in my urine at that time. I didn't know it was there until the Uro found it. I then had another urinalysis a month later and the blood was gone. Everything else, test wise, came out good. Fluke? I dunno but also too if you had a colonscopy, the prep can cause some kidney issues. When was the last time you had a scope and what prep did you do?
Posted 4/19/2010 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
My last scope was in September 2009. It wasn't a full scope either.
Posted 4/19/2010 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
This is why I don't take 5ASA's for maintenance. I don't want to risk damaging my kidneys.

I also don't drink anything for my colonoscopies/sigmoidoscopies. I do two fleet enemas, which aren't great either, but they are probably safer than drinking something that goes through the whole body.

I hope you see better results soon.
Posted 4/19/2010 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
Wikipedia said that 5ASA can cause Interstitial nephritis.
Posted 4/19/2010 10:52 PM (GMT 0)
I do get checked regularly for creatine levels...all good so far 21 years.

Yes, it's happend for some and you definitely have to get off the 5ASA med.

I don't know if it's because of the fact that it's a salicylate...my suggestion would be for you to possibly avoid foods that are high in salicylates as well.

It's sad to hear that you now have to go through this on top of UC.

quincy
Posted 4/20/2010 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah my GI said risking occasional flares vs kidney damage is the lesser of the evils. I haven't had a flare for about a year now whereas I used to get them every 3-4 months. I'm just hoping the 6MP does the job on its own.

I really think the biggest contributor to my not having flares is that my job has become significantly less stressful. I'm not traveling on a plane every week, eating out every day, sleeping in hotel beds, and only working 40 hours vs. 60 a week. Consider me a mini study in how much stress can affect UC!

Thanks all for your replies.
Posted 4/20/2010 2:29 AM (GMT 0)
Interesting. I'm between jobs at the moment, and I might have the opportunity to take a job that will require traveling. I think the position offered would be a great career move. However, I know the job will be stressful. Your comment made me rethink things. I think it's probably better to take a more stable job closer to home. I'll still advance, just not as quickly.
Posted 4/20/2010 1:10 PM (GMT 0)

subdued said...
Interesting. I'm between jobs at the moment, and I might have the opportunity to take a job that will require traveling. I think the position offered would be a great career move. However, I know the job will be stressful. Your comment made me rethink things. I think it's probably better to take a more stable job closer to home. I'll still advance, just not as quickly.

Well everyone is different and we all handle stress differently as well.  I can't prove it but it's the only major variable in my life that's different, aside from having a baby.  When I'm traveling, for a fact I don't eat as well, don't have as much control over what I eat, don't sleep as well in the hotel, tend to work more hours, and don't exercise as much.  Also keep in mind I was traveling 5 days a week every week for 12 years.  There's probably a happy medium.  Now I travel once a month for a few nights on average. 
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