Woman with kidney failure after more than 20 years of taking arthritis medication

After decades of taking arthritis medication, Ms. TTKT (52 years old) was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure in 2020. Her condition became increasingly severe, and 3 years later she was forced to undergo regular dialysis to sustain her life.

Detect kidney failure, must have regular dialysis to maintain life

Ms. T. has had rheumatoid arthritis since she was 28 years old, since then she has had to use painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, especially corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to control the pain. Since 2020, she began to experience unusual symptoms such as muscle atrophy, edema, prolonged fatigue, and poor appetite. After examination, she was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure and had to undergo conservative treatment.

By 2023, her condition had worsened and she was forced to undergo regular dialysis to sustain her life. In the first year of dialysis, she suffered from urinary tract obstruction, which further weakened her health and made daily activities difficult.

Miraculous revival after kidney transplant from daughter

In 2025, due to her increasingly critical health condition, Ms. T.'s family met to discuss a kidney transplant plan for her. After a health check, Ms. D. (32 years old, Ms. T.'s daughter) decided to donate a kidney to save her mother.

Doctors in a kidney transplant

PHOTO: XA

At the end of June 2025, the kidney transplant surgery for Ms. T. with the kidney donated by her daughter took place at Xuyen A General Hospital, with the coordination between the hospital's Urology team and doctors at Cho Ray Hospital. After more than 5 hours, the donated kidney began to function in the mother's body, and the patient also had urine right on the operating table - a sign that the kidney transplant was successful. After 3 days, the patient's kidney function stabilized. Up to now, the health of both mother and child has recovered well, and the patient can walk, eat and live normally.

On July 22, specialist doctor Vu Le Anh - Head of the Department of Nephrology, Xuyen A General Hospital said that patient T. had many underlying diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and drug-induced Cushing's, along with osteoporosis and obesity, so there was a high risk of many problems occurring after kidney transplant such as susceptibility to infection and diabetes.

Furthermore, with rheumatoid arthritis, regular medication is also detrimental to surgery, so before surgery, the team studied and adjusted the corticosteroid dose to the lowest possible level to control the patient's symptoms of pain in the joints of the limbs. After the transplant, the patient's intravenous fluids were also adjusted to an appropriate level to avoid increased blood sugar.

Warning of dangers from abusing arthritis drugs

Dr. Le Anh said that Ms. T.'s case is a reminder of the serious side effects of arthritis medications if not closely monitored. Prolonged use of immunosuppressants or corticosteroids can cause damage to the liver, stomach, and especially the kidneys.

“Many arthritis patients abuse painkillers every day without regularly monitoring their liver and kidney function. The drugs can cause acute interstitial nephritis, renal vasculitis, and over time lead to chronic kidney failure,” Dr. Le Anh warned.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nguoi-phu-nu-suy-than-sau-hon-20-nam-uong-thuoc-viem-khop-185250722162018532.htm