My brain is definitely clearer.
No more dizziness. No more light headedness. No more minimal eating every day. That Benicar was really throwing me for a loop!
My sleep is better, and I'm tired much sooner that I had been. Things are getting back to normal. Woo-Hoo!!!
I'll start taking those other meds in a day or two more. I'm enjoying a clear head and having energy!
Good Health to All!
ScottW
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
28 Oct. 09
Had my Nephrology visit yesterday. Here's what happened:
-My BP is excellent at 120/84 both standing and sitting. That's outstanding!
-After discussing what continues to go on with my meds, I am off the Benicar all together. Once that is out of my system, I'll start taking another med called Amlodipine (sp?). I'm told it is benign other than possibly causing edema in the legs.
-The doctor is also going to place me on Sodium Bicarbonate tablets to help with possible toxin buildup in my blood. This in turn will help me to have more energy so the malaise will (hopefully) be a thing of the past.
-My doctor wasn't surprised at my smelling ammonia. He said he sees it every once in a while. This is a result of toxins in the blood. The sodium bicarb may help to reduce this, as well.
-My lack of appetite was expected. It's just a part of the disease. As I feel better and as I get more active, my appetite should increase [though I may not return to my previous food intake].
-Lastly, my labs were only very slightly worse than a month ago. In other words, the disease has progressed, but very slightly. The doctor was not alarmed by anything in the blood work...which is great!
So, my first month of baseline numbers has been established, and things are about the same as last month.
I am looking forward to getting my head cleared up and out of the perpetual fog it has been in. Hopefully I'll be able to start working out soon. That would be awesome!
Good Health to All!
ScottW
-My BP is excellent at 120/84 both standing and sitting. That's outstanding!
-After discussing what continues to go on with my meds, I am off the Benicar all together. Once that is out of my system, I'll start taking another med called Amlodipine (sp?). I'm told it is benign other than possibly causing edema in the legs.
-The doctor is also going to place me on Sodium Bicarbonate tablets to help with possible toxin buildup in my blood. This in turn will help me to have more energy so the malaise will (hopefully) be a thing of the past.
-My doctor wasn't surprised at my smelling ammonia. He said he sees it every once in a while. This is a result of toxins in the blood. The sodium bicarb may help to reduce this, as well.
-My lack of appetite was expected. It's just a part of the disease. As I feel better and as I get more active, my appetite should increase [though I may not return to my previous food intake].
-Lastly, my labs were only very slightly worse than a month ago. In other words, the disease has progressed, but very slightly. The doctor was not alarmed by anything in the blood work...which is great!
So, my first month of baseline numbers has been established, and things are about the same as last month.
I am looking forward to getting my head cleared up and out of the perpetual fog it has been in. Hopefully I'll be able to start working out soon. That would be awesome!
Good Health to All!
ScottW
Monday, October 26, 2009
26 Oct. 09
I started back up on the Benicar on Saturday. I have also returned to feeling dizzy and nauseated most of the time. Even though I'm on a half dose, the effects are still kicking my butt.
I've got my scheduled Dr's appointment tomorrow. I've got my list of things to talk with him about. For sure I need to do something about my meds. I'm being relegated to a life at home right now, and I definitely don't want that. Too much to do. Too much to do.
I forgot to mention that during my visit last week I asked if taking vitamins was OK. The doctor asked specifically what type because he's had patients who take handfuls of all sorts of shapes and sizes [of whatever things they take] thinking it does a load of good, when in actuality the kidneys (apparently) have to work harder to filter all the stuff they ingest, thereby actually causing harm to their already damaged kidney's.
Anyway, I assured him I wanted to be taking a 1-a-day vitamin, which he said was fine. So, in spite of eating insufficiently, I'm getting all the essential nutrients I need on a daily basis. Getting enough food is another matter; but at least I've got the essential metabolics taken care of.
Also, I should know tomorrow the results of my recent lab work. We'll know if any disease progression has occurred. I'll be sure to post any relevant information.
Good Health to All!
ScottW
I've got my scheduled Dr's appointment tomorrow. I've got my list of things to talk with him about. For sure I need to do something about my meds. I'm being relegated to a life at home right now, and I definitely don't want that. Too much to do. Too much to do.
I forgot to mention that during my visit last week I asked if taking vitamins was OK. The doctor asked specifically what type because he's had patients who take handfuls of all sorts of shapes and sizes [of whatever things they take] thinking it does a load of good, when in actuality the kidneys (apparently) have to work harder to filter all the stuff they ingest, thereby actually causing harm to their already damaged kidney's.
Anyway, I assured him I wanted to be taking a 1-a-day vitamin, which he said was fine. So, in spite of eating insufficiently, I'm getting all the essential nutrients I need on a daily basis. Getting enough food is another matter; but at least I've got the essential metabolics taken care of.
Also, I should know tomorrow the results of my recent lab work. We'll know if any disease progression has occurred. I'll be sure to post any relevant information.
Good Health to All!
ScottW
Saturday, October 24, 2009
24 Oct. 09
Alright...I cheated.
I haven't put myself back on the Benicar simply because I'm enjoying being fairly free of the dizziness and malaise. It's bad of me, I know; but I've had a month of feeling like poo, so having this little break has been nice.
I'm planning on resuming the half dose tomorrow.
I've decided that I am too far behind in my studies to catch up. I'm going to withdraw from the current semester. It's not ideal, but I've missed five of eight weeks worth of work, with just six total weeks left in the semester. Luckily I'll be able to avoid a hit to my grades (and GPA) by using a medical withdrawal.
Not much else today.
Good Health to All!
ScottW
I haven't put myself back on the Benicar simply because I'm enjoying being fairly free of the dizziness and malaise. It's bad of me, I know; but I've had a month of feeling like poo, so having this little break has been nice.
I'm planning on resuming the half dose tomorrow.
I've decided that I am too far behind in my studies to catch up. I'm going to withdraw from the current semester. It's not ideal, but I've missed five of eight weeks worth of work, with just six total weeks left in the semester. Luckily I'll be able to avoid a hit to my grades (and GPA) by using a medical withdrawal.
Not much else today.
Good Health to All!
ScottW
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
21 Oct. 09
I eliminated the Benicar today (as planned). Not much different in how I'm feeling, but I'm sure I am at a therapeutic level and it will take a few days for any effects to be seen.
Have felt sluggish all day. After having had 6.5 hours sleep, I was up for about three hours then slept another four. I really wish the fatigue and malaise would vamoose!
Also had another spell of intense cold. I wrapped up in three blankets to get warm...which took nearly an hour to be. I am writing things down to discuss with my doctor during my appointment next week.
And that's about all today.
Good Health to All!
ScottW
Have felt sluggish all day. After having had 6.5 hours sleep, I was up for about three hours then slept another four. I really wish the fatigue and malaise would vamoose!
Also had another spell of intense cold. I wrapped up in three blankets to get warm...which took nearly an hour to be. I am writing things down to discuss with my doctor during my appointment next week.
And that's about all today.
Good Health to All!
ScottW
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
20 Oct. 09
The dizziness, etc. continued throughout the day.
My Nephrologist asked me to go in to do a BP check. When I arrived, he had scheduled me in for an early appointment to address the med side effects. We went through a number of tests and questions to see if there were any contributing factors--none were relevant.
My BP today is 140/80 (sitting) and 122/84 (laying). So my BP is under control...a very good thing!
Then I was laid in a recumbent position for five minutes, then stood up. I immediately got overwhelmingly dizzy, nearly blacked out, and luckily had two doctors there to keep me on my feet--otherwise, I would have crumpled to the floor! (not so good!)
In the end we decided to go completely off the Benicar for two days; then starting Friday go on a 50% dose. Hopefully this works so I can get back to life. I'll know in a few days. Also, I've got my scheduled appointment with my doc next Tuesday so if things are still off, we can address it right then.
Had to do a re-draw on my blood work I did yesterday because whoever inputted the orders into the computer, they listed a Hepatic panel instead of a Renal panel. No big deal. It happens. What's another needle stick or two?
Lastly, I have gotten the chills twice in the last three days. I'm talking in a 70 degree house. The first time I was so cold I was actually shivering and it took about half an hour to warm up. For me, this is not normal. My Hypothalamus works overtime--all the time. I can go without a coat on a windy, 25 degree day. This happening may only be an adjustment by my body to the lower BP. I'll be discussing that with my doc next week.
Good Health to All!
ScottW
My Nephrologist asked me to go in to do a BP check. When I arrived, he had scheduled me in for an early appointment to address the med side effects. We went through a number of tests and questions to see if there were any contributing factors--none were relevant.
My BP today is 140/80 (sitting) and 122/84 (laying). So my BP is under control...a very good thing!
Then I was laid in a recumbent position for five minutes, then stood up. I immediately got overwhelmingly dizzy, nearly blacked out, and luckily had two doctors there to keep me on my feet--otherwise, I would have crumpled to the floor! (not so good!)
In the end we decided to go completely off the Benicar for two days; then starting Friday go on a 50% dose. Hopefully this works so I can get back to life. I'll know in a few days. Also, I've got my scheduled appointment with my doc next Tuesday so if things are still off, we can address it right then.
Had to do a re-draw on my blood work I did yesterday because whoever inputted the orders into the computer, they listed a Hepatic panel instead of a Renal panel. No big deal. It happens. What's another needle stick or two?
Lastly, I have gotten the chills twice in the last three days. I'm talking in a 70 degree house. The first time I was so cold I was actually shivering and it took about half an hour to warm up. For me, this is not normal. My Hypothalamus works overtime--all the time. I can go without a coat on a windy, 25 degree day. This happening may only be an adjustment by my body to the lower BP. I'll be discussing that with my doc next week.
Good Health to All!
ScottW
Monday, October 19, 2009
19 Oct. 09
Still feeling lousy today. No improvement over yesterday. I've got a call in to my doc to see what can be done. I'll let you know what'll be happening.
Also had blood drawn today for my baseline testing. I have another appointment with my Nephrologist next Tuesday. I'll know the results of the bloodwork then.
Schoolwork continues to slip because of the side effects. Am trying to contact all my teachers to see what we can do to keep me current.
That's all for now. If anything changes I'll get it posted.
Good Health to All!
ScottW
Also had blood drawn today for my baseline testing. I have another appointment with my Nephrologist next Tuesday. I'll know the results of the bloodwork then.
Schoolwork continues to slip because of the side effects. Am trying to contact all my teachers to see what we can do to keep me current.
That's all for now. If anything changes I'll get it posted.
Good Health to All!
ScottW
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