Minimal Change Disease

Question: Minimal change disease (kidneys) caused by smoking? I've had minimal change disease for a year and a half. So far medicine doesn't seem to be working very well. I've tried prednisone and prograf. I smoke cigs lightly, one or two a day. Could smoking have an effect my kidney disease or the efficiency of the medicine? And by the way, my blood pressure is completely normal.

Answer: Yes, smoking can affect your kidneys because they filter out all the body takes in, even toxins like cigarettes. Cigarettes do increase your heart rate and raise your blood pressure slightly. When your heart rate is increased, this may make you feel better, but actually, over time, it can increase you levels of cortisol. If you are already taking steroids, this would be a lot of unheathly steroids pumping around your system. Please quit smoking. Good luck to you.

Question: Need to know more about minimal change disease please? I'm a 30 year old female and I've been showing every symptom for minimal change disease from swelling in my legs to the protein in my urine. I've already seen a renal specialist and she says she's almost 100% sure that's what I have. I'm scheduled for a biopsy in a couple of weeks to make sure that's what it is. My question is this, what happens if you leave minimal change disease untreated? Do you die? Do your kidneys end up failing? I know the websites I've visited mention it can lead to nephrotic syndrome, but that's about it. I'm only asking because I've been researching the disease online and I keep reading how almost everyone that writes about this disease relapses and has all these horrible side effects from the medications. I think I'd almost rather deal with the swelling in my legs then have to deal with everything I'll have to deal with just to MAYBE get better. I'm really scared and nervous and don't have anyone in my family who understands what I'm going through. Someone please help. Thanks:)

Answer: Even in adults, Minimal Change Disease typically has a favorable prognosis. Over 90% of patients will respond to oral steroids, with most of these having a complete remission. However, more than 50% of the adults who go into remission will relapse at some point in their lives, and for these patients either another course of steroids or another form of chemotherapy entirely may be necessary. Although it is rare for Minimal Change Disease itself to lead to End Stage Renal Disease, some patients with MCD eventually develop another disease called Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). FSGS is generally seen as a more aggressive disease, with less treatment options and more of a tendency towards eventual renal failure. This is what I found. I have taken prednisone, a steroid several times, and haven't experienced any bad side effects. I did have increased appetite and insomnia but these go away as they lower the dosage. Most chemo-therapies have improved and maybe by the time you'll need them they will improve more. Remember new drugs and treatments become available all the time and there are meds that can minimize side effects. The prognosis looks positive so try to go into your treatment with a positive attitude. Generally people who have a good outlook have a better recovery rate. Of course you are worried and that is normal. Even knowing that the prognosis is good, I'd be worried, too. It's human nature to worry about our health. Your family may be having a hard time realizing you are ill. It may be that you are only 30 so they think you can't have anything seriously wrong because you are so young. Take someone with you when you go to the MD next time or when you have your biopsy so they can hear what the Md says.

Question: Minimal change disease? What medication is used for treating this disease?

Answer: Treatment of minimal change disease may include: Restricting salt intake Diuretics Steroids, usually oral prednisone In young children, proteinuria often goes away within four weeks of starting prednisone. But in older children, it may take longer. If steroid treatment is ineffective, your child's doctor may recommend further testing before changing medications. You may have more info on this site- http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/minimal… ( I had added this as comment in your previous question.) Good luck!

Question: Minimal Change Disease....please answer or at least look at the question.. i need to know.? Can somebody tell me wat could happen when u get this disses. and if u get it can it be treated, and does ur life shorten.. i mean can u die from it I tryed looking it up but i didnt find anything.

Answer: It is a relatively mild kidney disease. The kidneys leak protein into the urine, and this can cause low protein in the blood and swelling in the ankles. However, unlike some other kidney diseases, this does not actually stop the kidneys from working properly. They are just leaky. You WOULDN'T get kidney failure that would need a transplant or kidney machine, and you WOULDN'T die from it. It can be treated with steroids, and often goes away completely after a few months. One problem to be aware of is that when the protein is low in the blood, the blood can clot more easily. This can cause blood clots in the leg or lung, which may be more serious. Fortunately, they can tell whether the blood clotting has been affected with blood tests, and give treatment if necessary to prevent clots.

Question: I want to stop taking Lisinopril before becoming pregnant? I am 36 yrs old. I am being treated for hypertension due to a kidney disorder called "minimal change disease". I am taking 10mg of Lisinopril and 80mg of Diovan daily. My BP is usually 110/74 while on the meds. I have experienced SEVERE headaches whenever I forget my meds for several days, so I am afraid of discontinuing my medication. But I would like to conceive in the next few months (before the end of May), and my doctor's appt. isn't until the middle of May. I would like to try to discontinue the meds before I see the doctor, to find out if my BP is under control, since I have lost 20 lbs. and have increased my exercise and eating healthy. Any suggestions???

Answer: My main suggestion is DO NOT stop the meds! I am on lisinopril and another med, I have lost 85lbs in the last 8 months and my BP has not come down....so don't rely on weight loss alone. If you are to be taken off the lisinopril the chances are high that it will need to be replaced with another med. Don't attempt it without medical supervision, it could be dangerous. You will need guidance regarding pregnancy anyway and you need the right advice from the doctor, not here.

Question: I am to PCS soon curious if gaining military doctor (pediatrician) would be able to treat nephrotic syndrome? I am Air Force getting ready to PCS and my son was recently diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome (minimal change disease) and has about another month of medicine before he is done, and has responded well to the medicine. I know there is a possibility of a relapse. Where I am PCS'ing to along with the pediatrician there is a Navy urologist there who could also help. I am curious if this would have to be treated directly by a doctor who specializes in nephrology or would the pediatrican there be able to handle this problem. I haven't seen anything that I have read or been told by my pediatrican here that would make me think that there would be a problem. I am looking for anybody who has had to deal with this problem before especially EFMP related PCS move.

Answer: Have you had your son's doctor inquire as to the expertise of the staff at your receiving base? If they do not have someone there with the necessary credentials, that can be a valid criteria for getting your PCS orders changed. I have seen that happen many times where orders get changed to bases where specialized care is available to meet a particular family health care need. Another question is what type of pediatric resources are available in the civilian community there? If the base does not have the medical staff necessary for his care, you have a valid TRICARE referral to a civilian doctor. That is another option and a question that you need to explore. Good Luck

Question: Can a person die from.......? Minimal Change Disease and Focal Segmental Glamorisclirosis

Answer: not uselly but doctors can make mistakes and make things worse instead of better.

Question: Kidney Biopsy Concerns? Hey, I am a 14 year old boy and I've been diagnosed with Minimal Change Disease, nephrotic syndrome. Now I've done the prednisone medicine for about 3 months (it is horrible) and it changed the protein in my urine from 20 or more to negative/trace. After I was off the medicine, I quickly relapsed and my the protein in my urine went back up to 20 or more. I was told to start the prednisone again =[ and get a biopsy. I have read a lot of stuff on the internet about dialysis, and kidney transplants and I am very scared that I may be a possible candidate. What are the possibilites I will have to use one of these treatments? Also, is there a possibility I may have some type of diabetes? It runs in the family and I have never been checked for it. Thanks

Answer: Minimal Change Disease typically occurs after an untreated infection that affects the kidneys. No, if you follow treatment, you aren't going to progress. Many children experience 3-4 relapses before it actually goes away forever! They want to do a biopsy to rule out another condition (IgA nephropathy of focal segmental glomerularnephritis).

Question: Nephrotic Syndrome? Can anyone please tell me if there's permanent cure for Nephrotic Syndrome ( Minimal Change Disease ) by Allopathy or Ayurveda ?

Answer: My husband has Minimal Change (onset age 14, age 40 now - so he is definitely not typical). We have tried several things over the years, but unfortunately the only thing that keeps him in remission is a low daily dose of cyclosporin. He also takes Cozaar and Zetia to support the cyclopsorin. Good luck!

Question: Diet for Nephrotic Syndrome Patients? Hi, I am suffering from Minimal Change Disease and the swelling keeps coming atleast once in 3 months which makes life very difficult. I just wanted to know what will be the best diet to keep a check on Nephrotic Syndrome. Also,pls let me know taking steroids for a longer period, what will be the side effects.

Answer: Nephrotic syndrome http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/… Nutrition and Nephrotic Syndrome http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uva… Conduct an Internet search. There's a lot more info available that way than ^posted. Why Care About Spiritual Things? : - Spirituality and Your Well-Being--A Positive Link http://watchtower.org/e/20040201/article…