Arthritis and kidney impairment

Foot reflexology improves my kidney function?

Having taken those pain killers for years, it was no wonder that the proteinurea which started as a mere trace in the earlier years, progressed to the ridiculous seven grams loss of protein through the urine by 1993, after a lapse of 12 years from my diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. This was shown by the urine test called for by a nephrologist whom I went to consult after a dipstick test on my urine showed a very high reading of 3+. At that time, my blood pressure was also found to be exceptionally high but with medication it quickly came back to normal.

A *biopsy was suggested to see the extent of impairment to the kidneys. The biopsy showed that I had glomerulus nephritis and the nephrologist wanted me to start immediately on an oral dose of cyclophosphamide. Well, I knew cyclophosphamide was a toxic mdication used as a cancer treatment drug and they are also given at a lower dosage to those with active rheumatoid arthritis and if I had my rathers, I would rather not take them. As I was in Madras at that time, I delayed taking them until I could see a kidney doctor back home for a second opinion.

Back home, I asked my rheumatologist to refer me to a kidney doctor. The kidney doctor asked for a 24 hour urine test which showed that the protein loss was still high at about 3 grams to a liter a day. After reading the report of the biopsy which I had brought from Madras he wrote a letter to my rheumatologist also suggesting I go on cyclophosphamide. An appointment to see the kidney doctor again was fixed in about one and half months time. I was to do some blood tests and the 24 hour urine test a day prior to seeing him.

At the second meeting with the kidney doctor the 24 hour urine protein loss was 1.6 grams per liter which was still quite high. He suggested that I could go on steroids or the suggested cyclophosphamide. He informed me that I should not delay in starting on medication for the kidneys, as there was a good chance that under such condition as I was in, if I do not take the treatment soon, I could be a likely candidate for dialysis in not too long a future. How long a future, he did not elaborate. I was given an open appointment, and could come to see him anytime within the span of a year, when I should decide to start on the medication.

As chance would have it, my sister residing abroad came back home for a long visit. She is a very skilful practitioner of foot reflexology and her hands working on my feet always lull me into a deep sense of relaxation. I would always fall asleep before the end of her reflexology session. Since the mid-eighties, I have known of reflexology and that it could help in various ailments. The session of reflexology with my sister had somehow reminded me that reflexology may be of help for my kidney condition. Anyway, I had one year to consider whether to take those nasty and toxic medication, haven't I?

Having made the decision for reflexology, I started to go to a small cozy reflexology joint closeby where I stayed. Each reflexology session was 50 minutes, and I had given instruction to give attention to the part of the feet's underside associated with the kidney and urinary tract. On my part I monitored the protein in my urine everyday with a dipstick test. It was heartening to note the protein reading slowly receding from a reading of "2+" to "trace" during the three months of reflexology.. Blood and urine tests with my rheumatologist also confirmed the improved condition of my kidneys. With the improved condition, my rheumatologist no longer badger me to take steroids or cyclophosphamide and I did not go and see the kidney doctor a third time.

Todate, my dipstick test still register "trace". Was it reflexology that did the trick or was it the case of the kidney getting better on its own?

*Note : In a kidney biopsy, a small piece of kidney tissue is snipped from the kidneys for examination.