May have found it. After a lifetime of pretty clean living, my kidneys have quit, rather quickly. After numerous doctors, 2 hospitals, specialists, the diagnosis finally made, after kidney biopsy, is MINIMAL CHANGE DISEASE. https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/minimal-change-disease The cause? ASPARTAME! In an 11-year study by scientists at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, there was a strong positive correlation found between degeneration of kidney function and consumption of aspartame-containing diet soda. Published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, the study followed 3,318 women for a number of years as they consumed diet soda containing artificial sweeteners like Aspartame. Scientists took into account each participant’s age, blood pressure, smoking habits (when applicable), and pre-existing conditions like heart disease or diabetes, and administered food frequency questionnaires in 1984, 1986, 1990, 1994, and 1998. Two or more diet drinks daily, it was found, led to a doubled risk in fast-paced kidney decline. https://naturalsociety.com/aspartame-alert-diet-soda-destroys-kidney-function/ It was highly contested when introduced. Decisions reached highest levels of Washington. Tons of money were involved. The Director, FDA, refused approval for universal sweetener use. Secretary of State Donald Rumsfeld engaged to have him replaced by a "yes-man". He approved. Why? He sat on the Board of Directors of G.D. Searle, the company holding the patents. Much controversy, many "scientific" studies conducted, no real solid accepted conclusions, but today, after enjoying sweetness without sugar, my kidneys are dead! SUGAR never hurt!
Man oh man Frank! Whilst I am glad that they’ve narrowed it down to the use of aspartame, I’m sorry to read that your kidneys are so badly affected. In a way, I’m lucky that throughout the natural bodybuilding industry, using aspartame has been considered a health risk so none of the supplements I take has it in the formula or else I’d be closer to being in your shoes. Alas, I digress...... So....are you considering a kidney transplant or is there some other therapy that is better suited for you? From one of your last reports, you were being hooked up for quite a bit of time on a dialysis machine so whatever happens, I do hope that can be changed to something better. Prayers for you Frank and I really .....really hope things will look better for you soon!!
I'm confused, @Frank Sanoica. The first link you posted ends with the following: "Kidney failure is rare if you have minimal change disease. Almost all children and adults recover from MCD and avoid relapses over the long term." Did the doctors say there were other problems?
Aspartame is an ingredient I avoid after reading years back of the risks Hope you are on the recovery road Frank and all will be well soon
What?....whaaaaat???? ..Frank are you serious,?, your kidneys are dead because you drank diet coke? I can hardly believe what I'm hearing, if and when you're up to it, please can you explain more, I'm completely confused. Did the doctors tell you that diet soda was to blame? I use sweeteners in my tea every day and I drink several cups, and also eat chocolate containing sweeteners. ... Like most people I've heard of the dangers of aspartame, but I thought you had to use it in Massive doses for it to be very harmful . How did this happen?...both kidneys failed suddenly, or did you feel unwell for some time beforehand.? quote'' but today, after enjoying sweetness without sugar, my kidneys are dead!'' I'm so sorry this has happened to you, it's sounds horrendous, the pain must be incredible, ..are you in hospital now?.. are you hooked up to dialysis.. ?... how are you to be treated?
OMG Frank... I have preached against that crap for years. It affects others in differnt ways also but messes with my joints. Least you know the cause now. Hopefully you can get better soon!
Are you on a list for a kidney transplant, Frank? Your doctors did not diagnosis you as having Nephritis?
Sorry about your kidney problems, Frank. Dialysis is terrible; my mother was on dialysis for 5 long years. I hope you are much better soon. From the article you referenced from kidney.org there's no mention of aspartame or diet drinks at all... What causes minimal change disease? In adults, the disease is usually secondary (it is caused by another disease or drug). In children, MCD is usually primary (or idiopathic, which means the exact cause is not known). If you have secondary causes for MCD, the disease may occur or be related to: Allergic reactions Use of certain painkillers called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Tumors Infections caused by a virus WebMD says there "may" be a link to declining kidney function from drinking more than 2 diet sodas a day. https://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20091102/diet-sodas-hard-on-the-kidneys#1
I know several people who have had total kidney failure and recovered. One of them was my husband. his kidneys completely failed while he was in the hospital for treatment of another problem. I'm not sure what the doctors did but somehow they ,"Jumpstarted" them. He was hospitalized for some time but he lived for years afterward.
Additional products which are made with aspartame: Aspartame. Aspartame is found in about 6,000 products around the world, including carbonated soft drinks, powdered soft drinks, chewing gum, confections, gelatins, dessert mixes, puddings and fillings, frozen desserts, yogurt, tabletop sweeteners, and some pharmaceuticals such as vitamins and sugar-free cough drops. @Frank Sanoica SO HAPPY to see you are at least feeling well enough to post a little!!
"Will minimal change disease cause kidney failure? Kidney failure is rare if you have minimal change disease. Almost all children and adults recover from MCD and avoid relapses over the long term. However, some may experience relapses of the protein in the urine, which can often be treated in the same way as the first episode."
I know this.... who doesn't ? I was asking Frank how he thought he got it..was it just the soda..because he said he had a fairly clean diet... ..