Question: Hi my daughter was diagnosed with FSGS several months ago. She is 11 and was put on a treatment of steroids and water pill. It went into remission but 2 weeks ago presented again with symptoms. We were told she relapsed and was put back on steroids, water pill, an antacid and blood pressure medication. She is complaining her stomach hurts. I'm not sure if this is just part of the disease or not.

Answer: From your description, it is suspected the medications she took especially steroids that causes her stomachache. Though she took an antacid, it seems not effective enough to avoid stomach pain. Because steroids can irritate the lining of the stomach, they should always be taken with a meal. If stomach still feels sore after taking it with food, try taking medicine to protect the stomach. Now let’s have a look at the medications your daughter takes.

-Steroids. They are to inhibit kidney inflammation and reduce proteinuria.

-Water pills. They are to remove excessive water from body to relieve swelling.

-Blood pressure medication. It is to lower high blood pressure.

-Antacid. It is to neutralize acid in the stomach.

They are all used to control symptoms and complications rather than repair kidney damage and improve kidney function. Besides stomach pain, they can cause other side effects, such as weight gain, fatigue, memory problems, mood swing, depression, moon face, etc. For children, they can even affect their growth and development. Therefore, once the illness is improved, natural treatment is recommended.

In Shijiazhuang Hetaiheng Hospital, systemic Chinese medicine is widely used, such as Toxin-Removing Treatment. It can make the blood environment good for kidney self-healing and other medication application by expelling waste products and extra fluid out of body, improving blood circulation and increasing blood flow into damaged kidneys. After about one week’s treatment, swelling will be relieved. After about half month’s treatment, proteinuria will decrease. With treatment going on, proteinuria will turn negative and kidney condition will get well. Because immunity is strengthened, they won’t relapse even under inductive factors.

Stomachache is not a part of FSGS. If you have persistent stomachache, you had better talk with your doctor. For more information on FSGS treatment, please leave a message below or contact online doctor.