Thank you @Moggy_and_Fish_Mum I’m glad that your CKD is stable, I am hoping that mine will become so too, if indeed that’s what the tests on 22/04 show that I have. It’s blinking never ending, isn’t it?
I’m following this thread, but on Exemestane. I contacted my unit to ask if I should follow up with GP (or something) about the low GFR reading. Never got a call back…but instead received a letter from Onco wanting to see me in two weeks. But I’m holiday, ring up again and ask what appointment is for but secretary doesn’t know - they will call me back. Still waiting.
Now that’s got me stewing for the weekend!
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Oh gawd @sal1 that’s frustrating. Keeping fingers crossed there’s nothing untoward at the end of it. Hopefully she can give you some intel on whether AIs contribute to kidney damage or not, and if she does, please let us know. I’m very shocked that my eGFR score has gone from 90 to 61 in a year and everything I’ve read that causes CKD - diabetes, hypertension, overuse of NSAIDS, family history of kidney issues - do not apply to me. The only common risk factor that does apply is being over 60 which I can do nothing about. All I do know is I have a lot of stomach distress which my GP thinks is caused by the CKD so I want to know what has caused it so I know what I can do to stop it getting worse.
Good luck in getting some clarity early next week.
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Hi Moggy_and_Fish_Mum
I started Letrozole in May 2024 and had no problems. I have 3 monthly blood test mainly for Arthritis but now also have kidney checks too. In the last three months I had a call from my GP to discuss my CKD, which apparently is 42ml, stage 3b on the 5 stage chart. He said he was not worried unless it goes down to 10ml, he thought it had something to do with my blood pressure tablets. I did say I thought it was down to all my meds as I have never had problems before. This week I had a brilliant conversation with the Clinical pharmacist at our surgery. He said that my kidney reading was 58ml at the last blood test stage 3a, but that it is due to the Letrozole. It can be a side effect but not a common one. By virtue of the fluctuation it proves the cause is my meds. I am also putting on weight (again due to Letrozole working too well apparently) which is not helping my joints. if your GP surgery gives you access to your patient records online you can see all your blood tests and check your kidney levels. So drink plenty of fluids and get someone at your surgery to explain the problems to you.
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Thanks little dumpling. Yeah, mine is also 3A but docs say it is not over concerning at present and I think I get 6 monthly checks. Interesting what you say about weight gain, me too and especially around my middle. Some of that is too much chocolate, mind! But, if that is a sign of the letrozole working too well I am not unhappy about that as I prefer being tubby to having the cancer return. That said, having weighed myself this week I am cutting down on those snacks a bit!
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Finally attended my follow up appointment to find out about my GFR result. Doctor says “your GFR is fine, it’s your liver test that’s more concerning!”. Wasn’t expecting that, because my husband and I were sure the nurse said GFR.
Anyhow he was glad I made contact because my ALP was extremely elevated at 330 (ish). Another blood test yesterday has shown an increase to 550 and I’m being sent for CT scan. Another test, another wait.
I laughed about it today, my hubby thinks I’ve lost the plot. He’s probably right. Generally i feel fine and coping with medication well. So it hits hard when you get another unexpected blow.
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Have they suggested the reason your liver results are so high?
It happened to me during chemo when I was in hospital for an infection and the multiple medications took its toll on my liver. But it dropped enough to restart chemo 2 weeks later and then another test after chemo it was back to normal.
The liver metabolises ( processes) all our oral medication.
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No suggestions yet. My ALT was also high, but that has come down slightly but still way over the “normal” zone.
I had minor raise of ALT on Tamoxifen, but came down initially when I moved to Exemestane, and he says Exemestane doesn’t effect ALT like Tamoxifen.
I keep track of the dates, I also started Zoladex at the same time before the increase but we didn’t discuss that. Google search does find some (rare) association with Zoladex. So I’m hoping it’s that…I’m happy to have ovaries removed if it comes to making a choice.
I just hope the CT scan comes through quick, because if it continues to increase at that rate, it will soon be in the extremely “serious” zone.
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Hi Ladies, i had my lumpectomy in march 2024, been on letrozole since april 2024, had 5 days of radiotherapy in june 2024 and 1st mammagram post op in march this year which was all clear. I havent had any blood tests or check up since my radiotherapy last june, is this normal. Feel as though no one is keeping an eye on me. I was originally told i would have a follow up app in sept last year then passed over to my GP, this follow up never happened. I phoned breast care nurse in jan to query this and she said they had stopped the follow ups and short of staff and i was in the list. Heard nothing since
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Hi @polly5
After having my radiotherapy March 24 I was signed back over to the gp care and the letter requested that I have yearly blood tests which I had done this year in March. I did contact the gp myself to arrange these.
Sending hugs
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May have to give them a ring again. Thanks for the reply.xxx
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Did you manage to get your bloods sorted?
Xx
Hi, no not rung them yet. Busy with hubbies hospital app this week
Finally had my review by telephone yesterday. Now on open access and passed to my GP for care. Will continue to have mammograms every 12 months. Next dexa scan in 2029 as i was diagnosed with osteoporosis on my first dexa and i am having 12 monthly zoleronic infusions. On letrozole for 5 years so another 3.75 years to go.
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Nice to know you have a plan.
From my own experience I always mention my breast cancer diagnosis with anything with the GP as they always seem to treat things a separate. But they are things to do with cancer and its treatment that can impact other things.
Take care