6. Xue Xi

6. Xue Xi

Q: My mother is receiving intravenous fluids at home for gallstones, and she’s developed leg edema. A hospital examination diagnosed her with nephrotic syndrome, with proteinuria at 2+. After 17 days of hospitalization, the leg edema has subsided, but the proteinuria remains at 2+. The doctor recommends taking hormones and antihypertensive medications. Although my mother doesn’t usually have high blood pressure, the doctor suggests a small dose of antihypertensive drugs. Is it safe to take these medications? Could they cause her blood pressure to drop too low? How should we treat this condition?

A: Generally, patients with nephrotic syndrome don’t need antihypertensive medications if their blood pressure is normal. In your mother’s case, the primary issue is nephrotic syndrome, which disrupts the immune system and subsequently leads to biliary tract infections. Therefore, treating the nephrotic syndrome should be the main focus. Western medicine advocates hormone therapy, but it often fails to achieve a “soft landing”—patients may find themselves unable to discontinue hormones, which further weakens their immune function. Some patients even suffer lifelong complications as a result. I recommend consulting a TCM practitioner, as their treatment tends to be more effective than Western medicine.

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