Well shit. I have kidney disease.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

Waiting for the meds my doc ordered. Also he wants to put me on farxiga for my diabeties. I am kinda scared to take it don’t want the crotch rot problem. But it protects my kidneys and heart.

[SheltieLover]

1. Healing vibes on the way to you, Panther!

[SARose]

2. Me, too

Found out last Spring. Low sodium diet and lose weight. Slowly, slowly, slowly kidneys improving a bit but will never be what they were.

For me the worst part is dining out. Sooooo much sodium! Frozen foods, too.

I feel for you!

Light and love

Rose

[DUgosh]

3. Oh no!

Sending cranberry vibes!

[malaise]

4. Sending good vibes

[Clouds Passing]

5. Healing energy and comfort to you I_UndergroundPanther 💚💖

[LuckyCharms]

6. Same here. I've had it it now for about 20 years.

Type 1 diabetic.

Nephrologist wanted to put me on Farxiga. I as well am afraid of the Fournier’s Gangrene possible side effect, so I refused. I also told the doctor that these types of drugs are "relatively" new, and I am hesitant.

He was very quick to prescribe this drug, and I asked him "why are you prescribing this drug for a type 1"? He said "Oh you're a type 1"? I said yes...check my chart. He looked at it and said "Oh, sorry".

Do what is best for you, Panther, but I'm staying away from that stuff.

I've been fortunate. At my worst, my GFR dipped into the 30s when I was hospitalized for another condition, but lately, it's been showing above 60, which is considered normal.

Good luck...you'll be ok.

[70sEraVet]

31. Good thing you were well-informed about medications!

I rely a LOT on my GP's advice. He stays up to date on pharmaceuticals, and he is very hesitant to give his consent to a prescription.
His advice has worked well for me for over 25 years.

[LuckyCharms]

32. +1

I have a good GP. She spends a lot of time with me.

Some of these specialists though...In my experience, they are always rushed and in a hurry.

[70sEraVet]

35. My GP is PROUD of the fact that he is free to spend as much time with

a patient as he likes.
Glad you have a GP with similar priorities!

[LuckyCharms]

37. That's fantastic! Mine usually spends over 30 minutes with me...

That's rare these days!

[Silent Type]

34. I haven't been impressed with any of my doctors since Marcus Welby.

[irisblue]

7. Sorry to read this.

[Happy Hoosier]

8. For what it's worth.....

.... I took Farxiga for over a year with no problem s and it help with my blood sugar.

Doing Keto for 2 years essentially reversed the diabetes, but if you have kidney disease, they may not want you to do Keto. Some claim it is "hard" on the kidneys. I haven't seen any data to support that, but obviously take your doctor's advice.

[LuckyCharms]

14. I think it may work well for Type 2 diabetics...

But for a Type 1, it's not good because it can throw you into diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

What I'm finding out personally is that your primary care discovers you have kidney disease, and then they refer you to a nephrologist.

In my case, the nephrologist was very quick to prescribe Farxiga, because he didn't check my chart to see I was a Type 1.

My kidney care was transferred to the specialist after I had kidney disease for a long period. He spent about 30 seconds with me before prescribing Farxiga, thinking I was a Type 2. This raised red flags for me. He didn't even review my chart before our initial visit, yet he was quick to prescribe me a drug that could have killed me.

I am also finding out that there are doctors out there who don't understand that Type 1 cannot be reversed, because your Beta cells are essentially dead. It's a different disease than Type 2. It's an auto immune disease that is not related directly to diet.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. My best vibes for you, my dear I UndergroundPanther!

I too have kidney disease. Mine takes the form of too much calcium in my blood.

Talk to your doctor; let him know your fears. Perhaps there are other drugs that can help.

I stand with you. I hope you will be well!

[Haggard Celine]

10. Sorry to hear that, IUP.

Take care of yourself and you should be fine. My dad has had kidney disease for years but he takes good care of himself, so he's doing fine. Good luck!

[markie]

11. Well damn

My partner started the drug and I keep asking him how the area between his genitals and anus is feeling today 😅. We can always laugh so that we don’t cry.
Hang in there!

[LuckyCharms]

17. That's my standard greeting to strangers on the street.

Hi! Nice to meet you!

How is the area between your genitals and anus feeling today?

[AZJonnie]

39. "How's your perineum today?" would be less verbose

Take of yourself buddy! We love ya around here!

[LuckyCharms]

40. Love ya too, Jonnie!

[OLDMDDEM]

12. I take Farxiga. I have diabetes and have heart issues as well as kidney issues.

The one thing I have noticed is that I pee a lot with Farxiga. Good luck.

[S/V Loner]

13. I take jardiance and...

Last edited Mon Oct 20, 2025, 11:59 AM - Edit history (1)

You just have to make sure you clean yourself down there when you shower. I read that the sugar you pass when you pee is the culprit if it sits in your crotch area. It causes the growth of bacteria. I haven’t had any issues.
Good luck.

[Prairie_Seagull]

15. Same here. no problems thus far with Jardianz,

been on it for 3 years. On metformin even longer. Debating ozempic. Doc says that is this is a magic trio. Ozempic really. I am in good shape physically.

Whatever.

[S/V Loner]

30. When I realized that poor hygiene was...

the real issue I OK'd it with my Doc.

[WhiteTara]

16. drink more water

And as Mr WT's nephrologist says, you only need 10% of your kidney function to live. But, the doc's recommendation is definitely drink more water.

[BeerBarrelPolka]

18. Same here

Best of luck. Watch your protein intake.

[Karadeniz]

19. Damnation !!!!!! Thank goodness youve got a doctor monitoring it !!!

[democrank]

20. Sending strength and a hug

Take good care~

[mwmisses4289]

21. 🫂

[Nevilledog]

22. Healing thoughts coming your way

[ProudMNDemocrat]

23. Hugs to you.

When my late husband was told his kidneys were failing him, he was crushed. His Congested Heart failure was a major culprit as was his Type II Diabetes he had for over 20 years. He succumbed to both.

May you still have a quality of life.

[LoisB]

24. Sending good vibes and strength to you. I am sorry to hear this.

[MLAA]

25. Sending you best wishes and energy to make the best possible decisions and stabilize then thrive ❤️

[IGoToDU]

26. Sending love

Renewal of body. Renewal of spirit.

[1WorldHope]

27. That sucks. I'm sorry. You have a lot of support and good ideas here.

If the idea that you need to keep your under carriage clean of residue from sugar to prevent crotch rot, you might want to try a very simple bidet like product. It's basically like your kitchen sprayer on the sink. But, you hook it up to a Y adapter with the water feed to the tank. It is so convenient and you would be surprised how the cold water doesn't bother you. On the summer it feels great! I bought it at an Ace Hardware store. Good luck.

[Farmer-Rick]

28. Sorry to hear it

That's the one organ in my body that seems to be working well. If it's not one thing it's another. Hang in there.

[CountAllVotes]

29. Sad to read this I_UndergroudPanther!

May you find a way to cope with this soon!

Take care my friend, CountAllVotes

& recommend.

[3catwoman3]

33. In addition to scrupulous personal hygiene "south of the equator," so to speak...

...I would suggest not wearing underwear under your night clothes. Lots of people wear underpants and pajama pants/nightgowns, which is entirely unnecessary. Our nether regions don't get a lot of ventilation, and a little airing out is a good thing. Nighttime is the right time for this (unless you live in a nudist colony - )

Wishing you strength and serenity as you face this new challenge.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

36. I have had kidney disease for over 20 years due to NSAIDs

I have been stage 3 until about two years ago due to prior use of NSAIDs like advil. I was at around 50% kidney function for 20 years and was only seeing my renal specialist once a year with a couple of blood draws each year. About three or four years ago, I went first on Trulicity and then Ozempic for type II diabetes. I just change over to Mounjaro. I am now back up to 85%+ kidney function but I am still considered stage 2 kidney disease (you go not go to stage 1 until you are over 90% kidney function). Keep away from NSAIDs and follow your doctor's advice. Mounjaro and Ozempic have great effect on kidney disease.

Follow your doctor's advice and ask about Mounjaro, Ozempic and similar drugs. My endocrinologist has cut my insulin down and taken me off the fast-acting insulin entirely. Many patients on Mounjaro/Ozempic end up going off all insulin and only take the once a week shot. There is some great literature about Mounjara/Ozempic helping on kidney disease.

Again, take care and listen to your doctor. They have made a ton of progress on kidney disease.

[hamsterjill]

38. Gosh, Panther, I'm so sorry to learn this.

Wishing you some peace and comfort right now. Medical stuff is hard to navigate and very stressful. Listen to your docs and do some things to take particular good care of yourself right now. It takes time for all of this, and patience is hard.

Keep us posted and I will (as is MY practice) be praying for you.

[slightlv]

41. I'm sending you strength, peace, and healing energy, Panther.

I'm familiar with what you're going through. My sister is in Stage 4 kidney disease right now. Her insurance won't pay for the Ozempic or other weight loss drugs, even though it would help with the kidney disease. It's not necessary, they say. They may not think so, but I definitely feel my sister is a necessity in my life!

I was going to do a balancing ritual tonight, since both sun and moon is in Libra... just prior to us moving the circle on to Scorpio. I'll light a candle for balance for you, too...

Wrap the mini panthers around you, and let their purring provide healing vibrations and peace...

[I_UndergroundPanther]

51. If it helps I am scorpio

[electric_blue68]

54. I hope your sister can get what she needs, somehow!

My sis is my only sib, and we love, and like each other.
{hug} to you! Good luck to her! 👍

[Richluu]

42. Wishing you health

And healing!!

[Exp]

43. I'm so sorry to hear this from a fellow DU'er! Educate us, please, what caused the diabetes to form? nt

[Joinfortmill]

44. Sending you healing thoughts.

[bluestarone]

45. Very sorry to hear this.

Wishing for the best outcome for you!!

[Jersey Devil]

46. Having kidney disease may have saved my life

When I was 76 (I am now almost 80) my doctor told me because my egfr was in the 50s I should see a nephrologist, so I did that and the nephrologist sent me for routine imaging that discovered renal cancer which led to the removal of one of my kidneys. It seems they got it in time (it was contained inside the kidney) and so far it has not metastasized. So without kidney disease I probably would never have found out about the cancer until it was too late. I have learned that even with one kidney and a very much reduced kidney function you can lead a normal life. Even with a gfr in the low 30s I am in no way prevented from doing all the things I always have done, so don't panic about it.

[relayerbob]

47. I'm on Farxiga

The issue is that it causes more sugar to be excreted during urination, which can cause various problems. Just, uh, stay clean. lol You'll be fine, and hope yuo/they can get everything else dealt with!

[brer cat]

48. I'm sorry, Panther. I hope they get it under control very soon.

[live love laugh]

50. Taking FARXIGA coincided with urological issues

My relative w/kidney disease was prescribed Farxiga after a heart valve replacement. 4-5 months in, severe almost uncontrollable incontinence started. Although another diuretic was being used long before adding it, with FARXIGA’, the bladder seemed pushed over the edge. That and, as you say, the scary potential crotch rot led to asking the doctor not to prescribe it anymore. The incontinence problem has returned to normal after stopping it.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

52. Shit

I already deal with urgency from time to time. Maybe I should ask for jardiance

[spanone]

53. Take good care.

[electric_blue68]

55. Dang! Good luck for stabilization, and then much improvement!