Help with Valtrex (elevated creatinine)

[nryanh94]

Hi all,

I’ve been on Valtrex (1g 3* a day) for 2 months now, and got blood work back showing slightly elevated creatinine levels.
I’m at a loss as now I’m being taken off the drug and don’t know anything else I can do to improve my condition.

I’m already on LDN, I’m taking about every supplement one could think of, I’m on chromolyn and montelukast for MCAS, as well as in the Ketogenic diet as if 2 weeks ago. Where can I go from here?

Now that it looks as if I won’t be able to take Valtrex, is their other options? Can someone please point me in the right direction.

 

[Learner1]

What does your doctor say? He/she shoukd be the expert.

There are other antivirals beside Valcyte, depending on what viruses you have.

I was on Valcyte for 9 months and liver and kidney function were slightly compromised but bounced back after I stopped it. Depending on what else is going on, if it were me, if ask the doctor if it was necessary to stop the Valtrex, e.g., what the risk is, and what the alternatives are.

Artemisinin/artesunate is a natural substance that has antiviral abilities. You might look into it, too.

 

[hmnr asg]

was valtrex actually helping you?
The solution is to try other antivirals! Famvir (Famciclovir) or valcyte could be substitutes.

 

[Learner1]

Apparently, elevated CK levels are a known side effect of LDN in over 10% of patients...

 

[Dan_USAAZ]

I’m taking about every supplement one could think of,

Are you taking a creatine supplement? If so, you should stop using it at least 3 - 4 days before a creatinine test. Also, make sure you are well hydrated before a creatinine test.
Because I use creatine supplements, I have gotten my doctors to switch over to using the Cystatin-C test for kidney function. It appears to be a better test and not impacted by so many variables that really have nothing to do with kidney function.

 

[heapsreal]

If its slightly elevated it could be a one off. Or a recent blood test a few days after being active for a cfsme person could cause slight muscle damage, can even happen after a virus has reactivated as well as other liver enzymes. Really needs to be in context with other tests and done a few weeks apart.

 

[Markus83]

As Dan already mentioned, Cystatin C is a much better marker for kidney function than creatinine. I would order this test and then see if your kidney function is really impaired.

 

[Wonkmonk]

Dr Lerner says one has to drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of water a day to avoid crystalluria at high doses of Valtrex.

I had the same problem and my kindey function improved when Iowered my intake of potassium and calcium. Paradoxically, that meant eating less healthy food (fruit, vegetables, whole grain bread) and replacing it mainly eggs, white rice and white bread. But it helped, kidney function is now normal and I restarted Valacyclovir (at lower doses though).

If that doesn't suffice, probenecid or Cimetidine could offer some renal protection. This is being done routinely with cidofovir for CMV infections. It would probably also work for Valtrex.

 

[Gondwanaland]

If you just recently changed diet, in a couple of months you should re-test to evaluate its impact on the results. It might not be a concern anymore.

 

[nryanh94]

Are you taking a creatine supplement? If so, you should stop using it at least 3 - 4 days before a creatinine test. Also, make sure you are well hydrated before a creatinine test.
Because I use creatine supplements, I have gotten my doctors to switch over to using the Cystatin-C test for kidney function. It appears to be a better test and not impacted by so many variables that really have nothing to do with kidney function.

I was actually taking 2-4G of Creatine HCL

 

[Ash21love]

Dan_USAAZ: I have read a few comments and posts you have made on here. I am new to this site and I live in the Phoenix area as well. I have complex issues with High Viral loads of several different viruses and wanted to reach out. So far I have not found an infectious disease specialist who understands how to treat me. I am going write my first post about it now. but was wondering if you have any recommendations on a physician or what to do next?