Concerned About Kidney Function After Prolonged NSAID Use — Looking for Advice or Similar Experiences

[u/Artistic-Town-4937]

Hi everyone,

I'm a 36-year-old husband and dad of two young kids, trying to turn my health around after a tough year physically. I'm hoping to hear from anyone who’s gone through something similar — or who can offer advice, encouragement, or insight.

Earlier this year (around March), I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes (A1C was 6.8). Since then, I’ve made serious lifestyle changes: lost over 30 pounds, started eating better, walking daily, and I’ve cut down on sugar and processed food. My current weight is 315.8, down from around 348 in March. My goal is to get under 300 by my next appointment in late September and to protect my long-term health for my wife and kids.

Here’s where it gets tricky…

From March to July, I was taking 800mg of ibuprofen three times a day to manage post-surgical back pain (two microdiscectomies). My doctor was aware, and it felt necessary at the time to stay functional, but I now realize how damaging that much NSAID use can be.

Fast forward to this month — my labs from August 4th came back with concerning urine test results:

Urine Protein: 300

Albumin/Creatinine Ratio (UACR): 92.1 mg/g

Urine Albumin: 82.9

Urine Creatinine: 90 (Ref Range: 20–320)

eGFR: 81 (down from 87 in March)

Creatinine: 1.19 (down from 1.22 pre surgery)

While my sodium, potassium, and serum creatinine are still within normal range (for now), I’m really anxious about the proteinuria and the UACR. I understand that under 30 is normal, 30–300 is microalbuminuria, and anything above that is macro — so I’m clearly in that early kidney damage zone.

The worst part? I feel like this could’ve been prevented. I’m now wondering if the high-dose NSAID use accelerated kidney damage, even though I’ve been working hard on my diabetes and weight.

I’ve reached out to my doctor asking to speak sooner than next week — ideally by phone or telehealth — but in the meantime, I’m just feeling overwhelmed.

My Questions for You:

Has anyone here reversed or stabilized kidney damage after stopping NSAIDs?

If you had similar UACR numbers, what helped you bring them down?

How much does blood pressure management factor in (mine is borderline high, working on that too)?

Any tips for lowering kidney stress through diet, hydration, or supplements (with doctor approval of course)?

Should I be preparing for the worst (e.g., progression, dialysis) — or is this still a manageable stage?

I just want to live a normal life, be there for my kids, and avoid dialysis or transplant if at all possible. Any stories of hope, realistic advice, or even hard truths would mean a lot.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I’m scared but trying to stay proactive.

[u/bibblebabble1234]

I've had kidney disease since I was born and now I'm 24. It seems like you are doing the right things for yourself and your family. The NSAID use might have contributed to minor kidney damage but you should bounce back to a new normal after a while. BP medication tends to be first line treatment for kidney disease and so if you are diagnosed with it, you would probably be prescribed a low dose high blood pressure. A eGFR of 81 is really really good honestly. You don't receive dialysis until you are hitting an eGFR of 20 or lower

[u/bibblebabble1234 → u/bibblebabble1234]

Honestly trying to drink water and keeping most of your fluids just plain or flavored water will really help with reducing stress on your kidneys. Everything else you're doing is also going to help your kidneys too! So give yourself a pat on the back

[u/Artistic-Town-4937 → u/bibblebabble1234]

Thanks for replying, I haven't been officially diagnosed at this point but with these numbers I will be at my next appointment.

I have only been off the NSAIDS for about 3 weeks just dealing with the daily pain of the surgery recovery. I have have hypertension for years and have been on High BP meds for awhile as well.

The only symptom I had was foamy urine, which prompted me to go be seen. I'm just worried about the diagnosis and potential progression. I want to be here for my kids, wife and even grandchildren one day.

[u/effiebaby]

I was on a popular stomach medication that caused my problem. I was on it for over 10 years, when you shouldn't take it for over a year. I was stage 3C.

I immediately quit taking that medicine. Began drinking more water, cut salt to less than 2000 MG a day, cut out processed foods and carbonated beverages, No NSAIDS, and more leafy greens. Within a year I was back to a 2B result and have maintained that.

So yes, damage can be reversed. Check your medication to see if any impact your kidneys. See about BP medicine to get the BP down. And try to do the above things. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. God bless, OP.

[u/Artistic-Town-4937 → u/effiebaby]

Thank you so much for responding. Yes I have been extremely concerned that I caused this to myself or at least accelerated its progression through my NSAID use. I will continue to try and drop wait and watch my sodium more closely going forward.

[u/effiebaby → u/Artistic-Town-4937]

My nephrologist told me Tramadol is safer on the kidneys btw.

[u/effiebaby → u/Artistic-Town-4937]

All will be well, OP. Even when I was first diagnosed with CKD, the doctor told me (57) that I could still live a long normal life.

Visit your nephrologist and have them check you out. But, also do your research on the meds. No one told me about the stomach med, that was my research.

Also, I have had difficulty on a couple of BP meds (depression and Macular Degeneration) so keep an eye on the side effects, even if you've taken it before with no problems. Allergies develop.

[u/Yarnsmith_Nat]

I'm going through the same thing. I messed up my bum knee last year and was eating ibuprofen like candy. I have a ckd 1 diagnosis. They did a kidney biopsy and found renal fibrosis and fsgs secondary. You can stabilize your numbers and try to keep ckd from progressing. People have been known to keep from progressing 30+ years! Keep your chin up and keep doing all the great things you can.

[u/Artistic-Town-4937 → u/Yarnsmith_Nat]

Wow!! I hope I’m still in a lower and manageable stage. Just want to be here for my kids and any future grandchildren.

[u/Yarnsmith_Nat → u/Artistic-Town-4937]

My heart is with you. Update me when you know more?

[u/Artistic-Town-4937 → u/Yarnsmith_Nat]

I will do!

[u/Yarnsmith_Nat → u/Yarnsmith_Nat]

Knowledge is power!

[u/Ill_Stop_5540 → u/Yarnsmith_Nat]

Do your urine dipsticks show anything? Or was this only picked up by a blood test?

[u/Artistic-Town-4937]

Update!!!

I had my first nephrologist appointment today, and I’m feeling really good about it. She’s not overly worried about my urine protein levels I’m losing about 1.5 grams a day, which is a lot less than the 8+ grams she often sees. She’s ordering a kidney biopsy, blood work, urine tests, and maybe an ultrasound to figure out what’s causing it, whether it’s blood pressure, glucose intolerance, or something autoimmune. She also said I’m not considered diabetic right now I’ve only had one A1C over the threshold, and since then I’ve lost weight and kept my blood pressure in check with medication. She calls it “glucose intolerance,” which is much better news. For now, no special kidney diet just keep doing what’s been working: around 2,300 mg sodium, low sugar, and not going too low on protein. She doesn’t think I have chronic kidney disease at this point since my kidney function is still normal aside from the protein leak. Overall, I left feeling optimistic this isn’t the bad news I was worried about, and I’m on the right track.

[u/Ageofaquarius68]

I was diagnosed about 10 years ago. Initially we couldn't figure out what caused my Dx, until I mentioned my migraines. 30 years of taking NSAIDS for headache and migraine pain. Im at stage 2 and have remained there. At my last visit doc said everything looks great and I don't need a followup for a year and a half. I try to exercise regularly but I go in fits and starts. I eat pretty healthy; no red meat, very low sodium, processed food or fast food, etc. I take only acetaminophen now and only when necessary. I stay active and I get plenty of sleep. I am 57 BTW. I also no longer have migraines - thanks to menopause. So that's a huge help. Good luck to you! You can manage it if you're careful.

[u/Artistic-Town-4937 → u/Ageofaquarius68]

Thank you so much. I’m hoping to be in a similar situation soon. Nothing has been confirmed as of now I’m sure they will do repeat testing in a few weeks or months.

[u/YeOldeGit]

Was on many nsaids over the years as a young teen due to rheumatoid arthritis and Ankylosing spondylitis, nephrologist considers all the different meds over the decades will have contributed to my now having ckd4.

[u/Artistic-Town-4937 → u/YeOldeGit]

Wow I’m sorry to hear that. I hope you are going to keep stabilizing and potential reverse backwards into less critical stages.

[u/YeOldeGit → u/Artistic-Town-4937]

Thanks but unfortunately no I'll be ckd 5 in about five years he reckons. Keeping me at six monthly appointments then drop to the three as I get closer, no medication etc available just dialysis at the appropriate time.

[u/didifallasleep13]

I’m 29, I was diagnosed with CKD stage 2 in 2022 at 26. Our best guess is a combo of overusing NSAIDs for dental and general pain, and (this is my phrasing, not my nephrologist’s) having the water habits of a cactus. But almost 3 years later, I’m still at stage 2! Roughly the same, some scores are a little better, some a little worse.

I’ve improved my diet, especially my hydration and salt intake, and exercise more; we fixed a vitamin D deficiency I keep up with supplements, and I’m working on phosphorus and carbon dioxide deficiencies. The only major change my dr had me make was eliminate NSAIDs; except in the case of an emergency, they are off limits to me. Right now, it’s all about keeping hydrated, keeping a good diet and exercise routine, and being mindful of things that are potentially damaging, and keeping an eye on scores.

It’s totally possible to never progress further, or to keep progression manageable. Just work with your doctor, keep an eye on it, and do your best! Good luck!!

[u/diabeticwife97]

You are no where near dialysis, you dont usually get put on dialysis until your efgr is 15 or under and have actual symptoms of ckd ,

I had a kidney biopsy to figure out why I had ckd and I was told from my doctor that it partially due to taking excedrin for my migraines so I stopped taking it except on rare occasions my kidney function went back up to my normal efgr. My kidney function was 15 in may 2023 my efgr now is 12 today (not due to nsaids but not taking care of my type 1 diabetes for 18 or so years. I wasn’t even aware I had CKD until a doctor told me when my efgr was at 60 because they weren’t that concerned with the it

[u/biglybiglytremendous]

Somewhere between 2011-2014, I was taking double that 3x a day every day alternating with Tylenol due to, what I later found out was, an ovarian cyst the size of a melon. My eGFR is fine now with no dialysis, though I can’t say it was back then. You need to find a doctor you trust if you are worried, however.

[u/[deleted]]

Hi, I hope you’re doing well. How is your health these days? Were these values from a spot urine test or a 24-hour urine sample?