How to Stop the Progression of FSGS

2012-10-12 10:02

I am 36 years old man and I have been suffering from focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) for 20 years; my kidney function decreased quite significantly in recent years (stage 3). My current medication consists of Micardis and Praestarium (against high blood pressure) and immunosuppressive Prograf (tacrolimus) to lower the amount of protein in my urine (side effect being lowering my kidney function). Could I kindly ask you to refer me to any other source of information on alternative (Chinese) methods addressing this disease to stop progression of renal damage?

On the one hand, you have FSGS for 20 years, and your renal function decreases not so much. I think the main reason is that you are insist on medicines and scientific life style. On the other hand, it is still the 20 years that lead to the present aggravation of the disease.

FSGS is a kind of autoimmune disease mediated by immune cells. The infiltrating T cells in the glomeruli attack the kidney inherent cells directly or damage the epithelial cells by releasing vascular permeability factors. ACEI and ARB medications can protect kidney inherent cells and promote regeneration of inherent cells. The Immunosuppressive given to people are effective in controlling the immune reaction, however, long-term use can cause some side effects. To treat the disease effectively we will need to remove the immune complex deposited in mesangial region. For FSGS, the immune complex mainly consists of IgG and C3. Otherwise, whenever we stop the medicine, the immune reaction will start again and the disease will relapse.

In this step, Chinese medicine is necessary for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. At the same time, Chinese medicine for nourishing qi and blood has to be used to strengthen immunity. Then we have to repair the remaining inherent cells and the damaged cells so as to recover its function.