Can IV antibotic treatment kill off my CKD kidneys?

[Athena]

Problems just don't seem to end! After having a successful endometrial ablation in April, my gyno surgeon has just found some evidence of a pelvic mass on an ultrasound! He believes it's HYDROSALPHINX, which is fluid build-up in the fallopian tubes. A second ultrasound is scheduled in Sep. If it is that, which in effect is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), either chronic or acute, then a course of IV antibiotics may need to be taken (after a lapascopic culture is performed).

I am worried about 2 things. 1. Whether strong antibiotics will destroy my existing kidney function & 2. Whether PID may be threatening my kidneys already?

Just wondering whether anyone else has been through this kind of thing & might have more information.

My only good news is that I feel no pain or any other symptoms, with whatever this thing is.

[Deanne]

I am worried about 2 things. 1. Whether strong antibiotics will destroy my existing kidney function & 2. Whether PID may be threatening my kidneys already?

I'm sorry you have yet another thing to deal with! Yes, some antibiotics can harm your kidneys. It's good to consider it in advance so you can be prepared to ask the prescribing doctor about which you'll be on and benefits versus risks.

I don't know if PID is a threat to your kidneys, and this isn't entirely related, but I was diagnosed with endometriosis in my 30s after suffering extreme monthly pain from the time I got my period when I was 12. I always wondered about the correlation between them, too - whether it's all part of a systemic disorder. I seems like it all has to be related. I never considered endometriosis a "threat" to my kidneys, though, just as another condition to deal with. I'd kind of forgotten I was diagnosed with it now. Since I've been treated for it I don't have symptoms to remind me of it anymore.

I know it's hard to wait for an answer. September sounds like a long time away and you already have a lot of anxiety to deal with over kidney disease. Will they call you if an earlier opening comes up?

[Athena]

Deanne, I have left a message today with my gyno specialist. I will wait to hear from him. I have decided that I will push for this being given immediate urgent priority asap instead of just waiting until September due to the threat to my health. I have diabetes and CKD - the last thing I need is to have an internal pelvic infection festering and growing! I have noticed a few recent days of unexplained high blood sugars. I have spoken to 2 knowledgeable friends today and both have suggested that it may be a post-operative abcess. But I will wait to hear from the doc.

[Athena]

The gyno specialist has agreed to look into this sooner. I see him on the 11th Aug to have another ultrasound and have some blood tests done. It still is a bit of a wait however in honesty, I do feel fine.

What a difference in the responses of my 2 Nephs though! Both called me back at the end of the day I called. Neph 1 said he'll call me next week to check on things and he gave me some assurances about this suspected condition. Neph 2 also called me back but seemed to be more complacent and just told me not to worry and do everything as the gyno says. Neph 1 has scored more point this time round! I feel he cares more about me. If Neph 2 doesn't show more passion for my survival soon, I might have to go in search of his replacement! 

[obsidianom]

As a physician who has treated many hundreds of diabetics and infections, I will add MOST antibiotics will NOT damage the kidneys. PERIOD. Yes there are a FEW such as aminoglycosides like gentamycin are nephrotoxic. Otherwise the vast majority are safe.

[Athena]

Thank you Obsidianom for your post. Unfortunately I've had a pretty nasty experience with Keflex (cephalosporin class of antibiotics) in late 2013 that lead to a permanent increase in eGFR thereafter. There is A LOT of medical evidence that antibiotics can cause acute kidney injuries which, within the context of existing renal insufficiency, means only a downward effect on kidney function.

I try to avoid antibiotics like the plague, although I don't want to be exposed to the plague as well! It's a nasty conundrum. I hope I don't have an infection 

[obsidianom]

Thank you Obsidianom for your post. Unfortunately I've had a pretty nasty experience with Keflex (cephalosporin class of antibiotics) in late 2013 that lead to a permanent increase in eGFR thereafter. There is A LOT of medical evidence that antibiotics can cause acute kidney injuries which, within the context of existing renal insufficiency, means only a downward effect on kidney function.

I try to avoid antibiotics like the plague, although I don't want to be exposed to the plague as well! It's a nasty conundrum. I hope I don't have an infection 

Your experience is unique to you.  Keflex is proven to be one of the safest antibiotics there is.  I am cautious on all my prescriptions for antibiotics but the reality is they are life savers and most patients do fine on them.

[Athena]

Saw my Gyno. A second ultrasound confirmed a Hydrosalpinx on one of the fallopian tubes (fluid filled sac). This is the result of a past pelvic inflammation/infection (either from the endometrial ablation I had 4 months ago or the IUD from 8 months ago). It isn't an active infection any longer but will never go away. There is no treatment. A lot of women apparently have it.

The major ongoing risk though is that it can become infected with any new contact with microorganisms. That's when the strange 'birds and the bees' discussion started with my gyno!  He told me that sexual activity "with multiple partners" was too risky. I replied, "Well that's easy as there never has been any, and right now there is a zero amount of them". I asked whether he's referring to the risk of STIs or UTIs. He replied that STIs are the more nastier kind of bugs, he was referring to the more common bugs that are found in any skin to skin contact. I asked whether he's referring to UTIs then, but he replied that he's not necessarily only referring to them either. And he then looked a bit uncomfortable. I then cottoned on that there is more to this than meets the eye (literally!). It would seem therefore that sexual activity seems to be even more of a risky business than previously thought!!! We live in a bug-laden world of hidden dangers.

I have asked for more education on this through an email & am waiting for a reply. But the way I understand at it, a female with a chronic pelvic inflammatory condition is a sitting duck for further issues. I now feel like I probably need to live in a plastic bubble to stay safe and infection free. Or at the very least, swallow some antibiotics whenever there is any sexual activity in the future!

Does anyone else have any similar issues to this? Is this what people who are on immuno-suppressant drugs have to contend with all the time? I feel angry and sad by all of this now. It seems that having a sexual life is now almost completely dead and buried.

[obsidianom]

The whole thing sounds rather odd . He sounds rather odd . I don't get where he is coming from. Bacteria are everywhere and in fact are essential to life. They are not always pathological . He sounds like he overstated the whole thing. 

[Athena]

Thanks Obsidianom, you were right. I've just had a talk with my Neph over the phone & he has told me that I have nothing to worry about. The risk of any complication or infection is very low and no antibiotics are needed. I was told to just get this out of my mind. I will wait to hear from the Gyno, but I think this particular "adventure" is about to come to an end.

[Athena]

The plot thickens!

I went to seek a second opinion from another gyno ultrasound diagnostic centre and they were adamant that there was nothing wrong with my fallopian tubes. Instead I have large ovarian cysts, one being a complex type of cyst that can never resolve itself. So it would seem that I have a more serious problem than just fluid in the tubes that my Gyno Specialist believes it to be.

Can ultrasound investigations really get it so wrong? It's now a battle to know whom to believe as my Gyno Specialist said he's 99% certain I have just fluid buildup in the tubes. I've emailed him the details and am awaiting a reply.