3 months after right radical nephrectomy/elevated creatinine

I had a successful right nephrectomy. All the cancer was removed (tumor was 4cm X 5cm). Overall feeling better, but a lot of stomach upset with eating still.

Had my 3 month follow up creatinine level 2 weeks ago and it was 1.5. The surgeon suggested I go in right away to get my follow up ultrasound done and it looked ok. Now he suggested I follow up with my primary MD. They said my level is only slightly elevated, but it has been increasing since my surgery. Does anyone know when I should worry about elevated creatinine.

Also, if anyone knows when do you feel okay inside. I still have uncomfortable feelings like insides shifting. Still bloated off and on. Still very tired on days when I try to do what I used to. (work all day and stay up til 11 or 12 at night, can't make it) I'm 39 and mentally I've been ready to go full speed, but my body is not catching up with my mind. Thanks for any suggestions,help, info

Shonky,

I am certainly not an expert, but I have been researching everything since my dad was diagnosed 2 years ago with Stage IV RCC (Age 59) with mets to lungs, bones, and most recently his brain.  Sutent and Nexavar worked very well for quite awhile.  He also had his kidney removed initially and had alot of complications.  It seems that everyone responds differently. My dad had elevated creatitine levels too and I thought that it was normal for them to be slightly elevated as the body adjusts to having 1 kidney.  It is very important to stay hydrated and drink lots of water to keep those levels down.  They should also closely monitor those levels before getting catscans with injections of contrast, as they can be very hard on your remaining kidney.  Try to slowly build back up to what you were doing, you have been through alot.  Best of luck to you...sorry that I couldn't offer more information. 

Happy Holidays and Best Wishes! Lauren

On 12/2/2008 Shonky wrote:

I had a successful right nephrectomy. All the cancer was removed (tumor was 4cm X 5cm). Overall feeling better, but a lot of stomach upset with eating still.

Had my 3 month follow up creatinine level 2 weeks ago and it was 1.5. The surgeon suggested I go in right away to get my follow up ultrasound done and it looked ok. Now he suggested I follow up with my primary MD. They said my level is only slightly elevated, but it has been increasing since my surgery. Does anyone know when I should worry about elevated creatinine.

Also, if anyone knows when do you feel okay inside. I still have uncomfortable feelings like insides shifting. Still bloated off and on. Still very tired on days when I try to do what I used to. (work all day and stay up til 11 or 12 at night, can't make it) I'm 39 and mentally I've been ready to go full speed, but my body is not catching up with my mind. Thanks for any suggestions,help, info

Regarding the creatinine level, other than the fact that it is rising the 1.5 number should not be a problem. My creatinine levelsettled in at 1.9 after a year or so. My oncologist is not concerned. I did have an issue when I was denied entry to the GSK1363089 trial because of elevated creatinine but recently was approved on an exception basis.

As far as feelings after surgery, I can attest to these strange things including side pains for several years after surgery. be patient. I am a lot older than you and I can imagine that you are getting anxious to renew a full scheule but a nephrectomy is not a trivial operation.

Hey Shonky,

You may be trying to push yourself too hard.  Even though it's been 3 months, you still had a very major surgery, probably a lot of anesthesia and some pain meds, your body was already trying to fight cancer, and now you've got a kidney that is learning to do the work of two.

Trying to push yourself all day, and stay up late at night, is probably not a good idea.  It can take 6 to 9 months for a person to clear the remains of anesthesia from their body. Unfortunately drs don't tell people this, and they don't really give a lot of constructive advice on how to recover from stuff like this.

First and foremost, as one of the other posters said, you need to concentrate on hydration.  All people need as a minimum 64 ounces of water a day.  Not just any fluid - but WATER.  (Fluids other than water should not be counted instead of water but as extra.)  And it needs to be pure fresh water - steam distilled or reverse osmosis filtered are best.   Anyone who weighs more than 120 pounds could possibly benefit from between 80 - 100 ounces of water a day.

Second, you may need to really boost your immune system and nutritional status. Concentrate on getting maximum vitamins - C, A, D, E, all the B vitamins - this means supplementing with more than a single multiple vitamin a day, and really working at eating a lot of fresh, raw produce (organic if possible.)  Fruits:  apples, citrus (except grapefruit and banana), any kind of berries.  Veggies:  green leafy vegetables, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, spinach, carrots, tomatoes. 

You probably also need to boost minerals.  At the very least:

selenium:  200 mcg/day (can start with 400mcg/day but only for a few weeks)
magnesium:  200 - 250 mg/day (350 mg/day max), take with food
zinc:  50 mg/day (can start with 100mg/day but only for a few weeks), take with food
manganese: 10 - 15 mg/day, take with food
calcium: 1200 mg/day

We need Vitamin D-3 to be able to absorb and utilize calcium. Our bodies manufacture D-3 if we get adequate sunlight (15 - 20 minutes exposure/day) - but I do not believe in leaving this to chance, so also recommend a Vitamin D-3 supplement, 1000 - 2000 iu/day (10,000 iu/day max) 

I recommend seeing a nutritionist - a naturopathic, homeopathic or other holistic practitioner would be best.  

Also, make sure you are getting good sleep.  Sleep in a room that is as dark as you can get it.  A melatonin supplement can help.

I have a number of articles on my blog about the B vitamins, as well as one about vitamin C - you are welcome to take a look.  You will find recommendations for foods to eat. I also talk quite a bit about cancer fighting foods, herbs and supplements.  http://motherearthtreasurechest.blogspot.com

You might also really benefit from working at detoxifying - getting rid of the chemicals in your body from anesthesia, plus any toxins that were released by the cancer before you had your surgery, and any cancer cell debris that might still be floating around.  Hydration - adequate water intake - is certainly key for detoxification, but there are some really good natural ways to go.  Bentonite clay is an excellent, gentle detoxifier.  I have an article about that on my blog, also.   Essiac tea is one of the best detoxifiers in the world - and it is also a powerful cancer fighter.  There are many messages about Essiac Tea on the Cancer Compass boards - you might look at some of them. Buying the ingredients seperately from an herb shop/natural foods store an making your own is usually a better choice than buying prepared Essiac tea.  (Shemay, another poster to the board, has the recipe - I know she has posted it in other message threads - I will try to get it sent to you.)

Green (and/or black) tea is also an excellent detoxifier and cancer fighter.  I recommend decaf, and if you are on any blood thinners you need to check with your dr before starting to drink large amounts of tea.  Lemon is a good detoxifier - I have a recipe on my blog for a lemon detox drink (I call it Lemon Volcano Drink cause it has cayenne pepper in it)  - pretty potent, but really good for detoxification.

I wish the the best in getting to feel better and getting your life back, perhaps more slowly, but hopefully more surely!

Sincerely,

Tre