Bowels and kidneys

Hi everyone, I am at stage 3 of CKD. Does anyone suffer with their bowels due to kidneys. Thank you.

Interesting, as I never thought about it before, around the time my remaining kidney started working to rule, my bowel habits were shot. I was independently, (of my nephrologist), diagnosed with IBS, Since that time I have swung like a pendulum from extreme constipation to the other extreme of not being able to go out. Recently I have been told that a judicious regime of Loperamide would help. This involves a lot of fine tuning which I am just about getting right. Thanks for that link, I had not connected the two before now. Best wishes B

I’ve got IBS too. But just lately I’ve been full of wind and sometimes don’t make to the toilet in time!! good job I’m wearing a huge pad which I call my nappy, as I’m incontinent. It’s not a nice subject to talk about but if it helps other people I will tell my story. Thank you. Look after yourself.

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I was diagnosed with diverticulitis in my 30’s (I’m now 72), I managed that aspect of my life well but since January this year it have been totally unpredictable- having read the previous comment I’m now wondering if it’s linked to the kidney problem? I was diagnosed with stage 3ckd in April.:woman_shrugging:t3:

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Hi Max, Sorry to hear your story. Have you seen your renal specialist yet I managed to get to see them in April after waiting several months. It’s best if you can start writing a list of things to ask as it’s so easy to forget when you’re in a meeting. My Specialist was very helpful as is this group. I get terrible back pain ( well really it’s my sides) and this is caused by my kidneys. I also have spinal stenosis. I’m on Tramadol for the pain but I don’t feel the benefit from them I could be taking smarties lol. Good luck in the future managing your condition. Please reach out if you need help.

Hi Maureen, so interesting that from the replies you received so far there does seem to be a possible link with bowel problems and ckd. I am stage 5 and have had very similar problems to those described by others i.e. either constipation or very unpredictable diarrhoea which is quite debilitating and can have an impact on your everyday life (really confining you to home for fear of an embarrassing situation!) I have diverticular disease too which means dietary demands sometimes clash with my renal diet so I do find it all quite difficult to manage sometimes. One of the GP’s I saw in my surgery did say to me that he often saw this link with renal failure and stomach/bowel problems so I do think it’s not uncommon. We all find a different ways of dealing with this as I think each of us is unique and it not a one size fits all solution. Hope you find something that helps you and wish you well on your ckd journey.

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Hi, im stage 4 ckd and have had Crohns disease since childhood. They think my kidneys problems are due to issues with my bowels. Also my pancreas is having issues and is atrophied due to the same issues.

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Thank you so much for reaching out to me. You have helped me a lot just by knowing I’m not on my own. I have a renal appointment on August 5th so hopefully can get more information from specialist then. Take good care of yourself and thank you. :face_blowing_a_kiss:

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Hi Corrine, thank you for replying to me. I now understand with being on this forum there is always someone worse than me. Thank you for your input and please take good care of yourself. Enjoy the sunny weather we have coming. Thank you :face_blowing_a_kiss:

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You’re very welcome. I’m sure you’ll get a lot more information and support from your renal appointment and all of us are here to help in any way we can. Keep well x

Yes, I do. I am also stage 3. I find I can be slightly incontinent if I am having a ā€œlooseā€ day so wear Tena pads. I think it is a form of IBS so I am trying to eliminate any trigger foods which is not easy.

When I visited my Doctor about the problem I was sent for a colonoscopy which was clear and the consultant just told me to take Imodium! I was relieved to see from the various responses that it is a Kidney problem I just wish my Doctor was more informed about these things. Everything I have learned about kidney disease has been through sites like this and the NHS website. I have had no help from my GP at all.

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Thank you for your response. The thing is with GP’s they are not specialists they really only know a bit about everything. You might know more about kidneys than them. I am also diabetic so have to be careful what medications I can take. This forum has really helped me. I have incontinence and get my pads through the NHS perhaps you should see if you can get them, I also buy from Age UK website for a back up supply of adult pads I buy super size. Hopefully you can learn from this forum. Take care. x

Hi Maureen, thank you for your reply and apologies for my slow response- technical problems.:woman_facepalming:t3: I’ve taken on board about writing down my many questions…I have 2 scans this coming Friday and following that I hope to see someone face-to-face. I think the most frustrating part of this process is being left ā€˜hanging’ without any real support - apart from this group, for which I’m truly grateful. Thank you again for your support and hopefully I’ll get more efficient on the app - with practise.:crossed_fingers:t2::folded_hands:

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Hi Max, Thank you for your reply. Hope all goes well with your scans. I’m sure you will have a face to face appointment when they have all your reports. Keep making notes no matter if you think they sound silly as every question is like a jig saw to your Specialist. Keep smiling and stay healthy. :four_leaf_clover::crossed_fingers:. Maureen

Thank you Maureen, for your kind comments. Take care.:+1:

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