IgA Nephropathy, The Diagnosis That Told Me I Was Sick

Concerned with my blood pressure, she sent me out for a full lab panel with a follow-up appointment a week later. I got my labs, left, and went on with my life without a second thought.

A routine checkup and a Stage 3 kidney disease diagnosis

The next week, I was back in the office and was told that I had Kidney Disease. Stage 3 with 40% function, to be exact. Even then, I wasn’t concerned, but I didn’t realize how critical early diagnosis can be. Prompt medical attention can make a difference, and I want you to feel reassured about seeking help early.

The next step was to see a nephrologist, which had a two-month wait, so I made some minor changes to my diet, started a high blood pressure medication, and went on with my life. It was a slow process, and I didn't realize how quickly things would change until they did.

Rapid decline: From a mini-stroke to urgent care

Two weeks later, everything changed. I had a mini TIA, a mini stroke, putting me in the hospital for 5 days. I had MRIs, a stress test, and, of course, labs. It was those labs that showed my function was quickly declining. My PCP was getting daily updates even though she was on vacation. When she saw my kidney function was at 25%, she quickly got on the phone with my nephrologist and said he needed to see me right away. The next week, I was meeting the man who would become my nephrologist.

Meeting my nephrologist was with mixed feelings; with the pushed-up appointment, we knew things were not good. When he entered the room, he introduced himself and quickly got to work. He said my function had dropped significantly, and we needed to get new labs and come back after the weekend to see where I stood. So off to labs I went, then off to sit and wait.

Hospital admission and "one last cheeseburger"

When we returned on Monday, my husband and I had no idea what was about to happen. The nephrologist walked in, and without a beat, he said my kidney function was at 22%, and he was admitting me.

It was then that someone told me clearly that I was sick, and I knew that nothing was going to be the same. Now, my husband could not let me just be admitted. I deserved one last cheeseburger, so he asked permission to take me to dinner. I think he wholeheartedly believed I would never eat a cheeseburger ever again.

Reluctantly, my nephrologist agreed, so we went home, packed a bag, took my son and my mom, and had dinner. Then off to the hospital. I was quickly admitted and was instantly started on high doses of steroids.

The biopsy and my sudden IgA Nephropathy diagnosis

The next day, I had a biopsy on my right kidney and an ultrasound of both. The next day, we finally had answers.

My nephrologist came in with a bunch of papers.

I didn’t know it yet, but I was about to be overwhelmed not only by a diagnosis but also by a ton of information that would make absolutely no sense to me.

He said, “You have a rare autoimmune disease that affects the kidneys called IgA Nephropathy.”

My response was “IgA, what?”

Facing the shock of an IgA Nephropathy diagnosis

For the next ten minutes, I sat there in shock, trying to understand what he was saying.

Honestly, I only remember words: no cure, no treatment, and we use Band-Aids for the symptoms. He gave me a bunch of literature and went on his way.

So there you have it, I have IgA Nephropathy. A confusing, complex condition I didn't understand. All I knew was that I was sick, really sick, and there was no treatment, no cure to fix me.