I have MPGN Type 2-Kidney disease..Anyone with experience only answer....?

I was diagnosed with kidney disease 2 1/2 years ago after the birth of my son... my doctors are only putting me on prednisone at low doses and not telling me the results of labs in terms I understand..the treatment they are using is prednisone only and waiting.. I have great blood pressure but my doctor insists on keeping me on medicine that lowers it which makes me dizzy, blackout, and have blurred vision occasionly..I also experience fatigue frequently...My family and fiance know I'm in denial and act and tell me it's fine...I need someone who is going through or have went through this to talk to...What should I do??..Please help me

I was diagnosed after the birth of my son 2 1/2 years ago by a renal biopsy..I am in denial about most of it and need help...I can't talk to my family or fiance...I need someone who has kidney disease(any type preferrably the same as me) who can relate and has experience with how to deal with doctors, treatments they've had or can recommend to ask my doctor about and most importantly I need someone to talk to about dealing with all of it in general ....Can anyone help me??

My 8 year old daughter was just diagnosed with MPGN Type 2 about 2 months ago. It has hit her with a vengeance and we caught the disease at the very beginning. She has been in the hospital for 5 weeks now and this is her third stay at the hospital since January. She is already on hemodialysis and they have put a catheter in her for Peritoneal Dialysis. One treatment she is on has helped her tremendously, it is called Plasma Feresis which is done by the Red Cross at the hospital. She also is on Prednisone, Bi-Citrate Carb, Tums w/ every meal as a phosphorus binder, Norvasc (high blood pressure medicine) and also another high blood pressure medicine (can't remember the name right now). She is on a Renal Diet (low sodium, low phosphorus). She also has a CYTOXIN treatment through IV once a month (she has had two so far). She has had to be given platelets and several blood transfusions. She has a Nephrologist that is extremely aggressive as this disease has been aggressive to her. My daughter (only daughter) has been through all this in the last two and a half months. It seriously sounds like you need to find a new nephrologist who is going to be alot more aggressive. At the beginning of this my daughter was put into the hospital for a week of EXTREMELY HIGH doses of Prednisone (500 mg a day) through the IV, now she takes it in pill form at a lower dose. I would recommend looking into the Plasma Feresis. This has been a very hard time for me and my family, I have a husband and three boys (14 yrs, 11yrs and 5 months old). I have basically lost my job that I have had for 6 years. The hospital my daughter is in is 2 hours from home so I have not been able to be home w/ my other children and husband. We are hoping she will get to come home in the next 3 weeks (minimum). Monday we start our training on the Peritoneal Dialysis so that we will be able to do dialysis every day at home. I don't know if any of this will help you, but if you have more questions you can email me at txgirl_73@yahoo.com. This has hit so suddenly I am also having a hard time and would welcome any conversation/help/support in this area. I hope this has been helpful. Sincerely, txgirl_73

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) is caused by the concomitant deposition of immune complexes in glomeruli and activation of the complement pathway. The glomeruli are enlarged and hypercellular, due to proliferation of mesangial cells. The capillary loops often have a double contour appearance due to splitting of the basement membrane by cytoplasmic processes of mesangial cells, a process known as mesangial interposition. The parietal cells along Bowman's capsule are often hypertrophied and/or hyperplastic and may contribute to crescent formation. There often are inflammatory cells in the affected glomeruli.
There are three types of MPGN which are classified according to the location of the immune complex deposition. Type I MPGN refers to the formation of subendothelial immune complex deposits; this is the most common type. Type II MPGN is characterized by immune complex deposition in the basement membrane. Type III MPGN is rare and is characterized by subendothelial and subepithelial deposition of immune complexes.
Membranoproliferative Glomerulo-Nephritis (MPGN) is a heterogeneous group of diseases that share mixed nephritic and nephrotic features and microscopic findings. They mostly affect children. Cause is immune complex deposition that is idiopathic or secondary to systemic disease. Diagnosis is by renal biopsy. Prognosis is generally poor. Treatment is with corticosteroids and antiplatelet drugs.(Merck)
Please note that I am not a medical professional.
Please see the web pages for more details on MPGN Type II.

Treatment varies according to the symptoms. The goals of treatment are to reduce symptoms, prevent complications, and slow the worsening of the disorder. Dietary adjustments may include restrictions on sodium, fluids, protein, or other restrictions to control high blood pressure, swelling, and accumulation of waste products in the bloodstream. Antihypertensive medications may be vital to help control blood pressure. Diuretics or other medications may be needed to control swelling or other symptoms. Dialysis or kidney transplantation may eventually be required to manage renal failure. Prednisone is used alone or with other medications to treat the symptoms of low corticosteroid levels (lack of certain substances that are usually produced by the body and are needed for normal body functioning). . It works to treat patients with low levels of corticosteroids by replacing steroids that are normally produced naturally by the body. It works to treat other conditions by reducing swelling and redness and by changing the way the immune system works. If you are taking prednisone to treat a long-lasting disease, the medication may help control your condition but will not cure it. Continue to take prednisone even if you feel well. Do not stop taking prednisone without talking to your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking prednisone, your body may not have enough natural steroids to function normally. This may cause symptoms such as extreme tiredness, weakness, slowed movements, upset stomach, weight loss, changes in skin colour, sores in the mouth, and craving for salt, and may cause death. Call your doctor if you experience these or other unusual symptoms while you are taking decreasing doses of prednisone or after you stop taking the medication. The symptoms that you describe are consistant with the known side effects of the drug. You should inform your doctor that these symptoms are present.
Hope this helps
Matador 89