Well, I found out today that the drug Diovan is not a calcium blocker; which means that the joint pain I am experiencing really is just a normal side effect.
I didn't make it to school today as I felt extremely tired after having had 6 hours of sleep. I was awake for about two hours then went and got another 4+ hours of sleep, and missed both classes. Unusual for me to be that tired.
I don't yet know if my body is done adjusting to the meds. Another week ought to bear that out. In the mean time, I'll do my best to keep plugging along; thinking the good thought; looking towards the future.
By the way, one of the goals I'm endeavoring towards is why I'm in college. After I complete my bachelors degree (in Political Science), I want to get a Master's and PhD in History so I can teach at the University level. With the disease busting into my life I don't know if the post-grad goals are attainable, but I still want to try nonetheless.
At the very least, that goal will help me to remain focused, positive, and forward-looking.
That's all for today.
Good Health to all!
ScottW
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
29 Sept. 09
In yesterday's post I was telling you that I was having three side effects from the Diovan (headache, dizziness, and joint pain). Today I found out just how bad the dizziness can be.
I did OK throughout the day; though getting through my classes was tough as the joint pain kept me almost squirming in my seat just trying to be comfortable. The dizziness came on this evening while I was out running errands. I got way too dizzy, and had to keep stopping, holding on to something, and waiting for the dizziness to pass. Considering I still had to drive home, this was not good.
After eating dinner the symptoms seemed to decrease; so I'm wondering if I just need to increase my food intake to counter the side effect. I'll be giving that a try starting tomorrow. I'll be sure to fill you in on my theory.
Until then,
Good Health To All!
ScottW
I did OK throughout the day; though getting through my classes was tough as the joint pain kept me almost squirming in my seat just trying to be comfortable. The dizziness came on this evening while I was out running errands. I got way too dizzy, and had to keep stopping, holding on to something, and waiting for the dizziness to pass. Considering I still had to drive home, this was not good.
After eating dinner the symptoms seemed to decrease; so I'm wondering if I just need to increase my food intake to counter the side effect. I'll be giving that a try starting tomorrow. I'll be sure to fill you in on my theory.
Until then,
Good Health To All!
ScottW
Monday, September 28, 2009
28 Sept. 2009
When I received my news last week about having PCKD, my Nephrologist gave me a new med to help control my blood pressure. Taken once daily, Diovan (320 Mg's) is an Angiotensive Receptor Blocker (ARB). Its side effects may include:
-Headache
-Dizziness
-Flu-like symptoms
-Tiredness
-Abdominal pain
-Diarrhea
-Joint or Back Pain
-Elevated Blood Potassium levels.
I found out just two days after taking it that I had joint pain all over. I'm talking neck, shoulders, pelvis, knees, ankles, elbows, wrists, etc. Bordering on painful, the symptoms were somewhat relieved by 1500 Mg's of Tylenol. If I didn't repeat the Tylenol at four hours I was more and more uncomfortable with [literally] every passing minute. Saturday was the worst. Sunday was better, but I am near the Saturday discomfort once again today. I've tried drinking extra milk to see if there is possible calcium blockage going on, but have not observed anything definitive.
Other minor side effects I am experiencing are headache, dizziness and tiredness. Getting adjusted is taking longer than expected, but being a college student, I must keep my grades up; so once things seem to level out, I'll be back plugging away every day with my classes and studies.
That's all for now.
Good Health to All!
ScottW
-Headache
-Dizziness
-Flu-like symptoms
-Tiredness
-Abdominal pain
-Diarrhea
-Joint or Back Pain
-Elevated Blood Potassium levels.
I found out just two days after taking it that I had joint pain all over. I'm talking neck, shoulders, pelvis, knees, ankles, elbows, wrists, etc. Bordering on painful, the symptoms were somewhat relieved by 1500 Mg's of Tylenol. If I didn't repeat the Tylenol at four hours I was more and more uncomfortable with [literally] every passing minute. Saturday was the worst. Sunday was better, but I am near the Saturday discomfort once again today. I've tried drinking extra milk to see if there is possible calcium blockage going on, but have not observed anything definitive.
Other minor side effects I am experiencing are headache, dizziness and tiredness. Getting adjusted is taking longer than expected, but being a college student, I must keep my grades up; so once things seem to level out, I'll be back plugging away every day with my classes and studies.
That's all for now.
Good Health to All!
ScottW
Friday, September 25, 2009
25 Sept. 2009
The hardest thing [I have faced] thus far has been wrapping my brain around the reality of actually having this disease. Without symptomology, it just doesn't seem real.
But then I remember watching my renal ultrasound and seeing for myself the numerous cysts encasing both kidney's, and not being able to recognize either organ as they should appear.
I am by nature a realist in how I see things. I accept them as I recognize them to be. This disease is no different. It is there...I must face it...and it will eventually kill me; one way or another. Those are facts.
On the other hand, I am also an optimist who naturally looks for the good in all things; looks for the motivation that will help me overcome any obstacles in my path; someone who sees a problem, looks at various ways to get past it, then goes out and gets it done.
Between these two traits, I will fight as long as I can; delay the drastic onset of worsening symptoms as long as I can. And when my body begins to deteriorate, I will do whatever I need in order to keep my mind sharp, focused, and ready to tackle the task before me. It simply is not in my nature to give up. I've got too much left to accomplish in my life, and I will get as much done as is humanly possible under the circumstances.
I am surrounded by friends and family who love and support me; who will jump through the fire for me if I ask. With support like that, I will never be alone in this fight. Their strength will lift me when I am down, and bolster me when I need a little extra.
Remember that.
Know that you are never alone.
Good Health to all!
ScottW
But then I remember watching my renal ultrasound and seeing for myself the numerous cysts encasing both kidney's, and not being able to recognize either organ as they should appear.
I am by nature a realist in how I see things. I accept them as I recognize them to be. This disease is no different. It is there...I must face it...and it will eventually kill me; one way or another. Those are facts.
On the other hand, I am also an optimist who naturally looks for the good in all things; looks for the motivation that will help me overcome any obstacles in my path; someone who sees a problem, looks at various ways to get past it, then goes out and gets it done.
Between these two traits, I will fight as long as I can; delay the drastic onset of worsening symptoms as long as I can. And when my body begins to deteriorate, I will do whatever I need in order to keep my mind sharp, focused, and ready to tackle the task before me. It simply is not in my nature to give up. I've got too much left to accomplish in my life, and I will get as much done as is humanly possible under the circumstances.
I am surrounded by friends and family who love and support me; who will jump through the fire for me if I ask. With support like that, I will never be alone in this fight. Their strength will lift me when I am down, and bolster me when I need a little extra.
Remember that.
Know that you are never alone.
Good Health to all!
ScottW
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
My Fight Against Polycystic Kidney Disease
I am a 46 year old male, in generally good health. Over the years I have faced my share of difficult physical trials. In fact, one of those trials, a hardware fusion of the L5/S1 disc, still follows me nine years after surgery as I continue to do weekly physical therapy.
In getting my yearly physical last month, my bloodwork showed two anomolies: The BUN and Creatinine output levels are twice the amount they should be on the high end of the scale. I was immediately referred to a Nephrologist who ordered more bloodwork, a 24-hour urine draw, a renal ultrasound, and a renal CT scan.
The results of the tests showed conclusively that I have Polycystic Kidney Disease (or PCKD). This has apparently been coming on for some time and no physician has caught the subtle signs. I am NOT symptomatic beyond the abberant blood results.
Currently, my kidney's are operating at approximately 26% of normal, and are covered in cysts. Because the disease is so advanced there is zero possibility of salvaging my kidney's. My physician estimates that I have 1 to 1.5 years until we have to take drastic measures regarding my future. At that point, I'll have two options that will be available to me:
1) Dialysis for 2 to 3 years
2) Kidney transplant.
For now, we are going to establish a baseline for comparison as to how fast or slow the disease is progressing. This will go until at least this coming January (2010). At that point, I'll have to start making decisions regarding possible outcomes/scenarios.
That news came to me just yesterday. I've spent the past 36 hours absording the information, and the various implications of the news. This evening, I decided to write a blog about how my fight against PCKD is going. I'm planning on updating my readers about tests, decisions, how I'm feeling, upcoming events, etc. My intent is to educate others who might be going through PCKD from those who have had it a while, to those who are just finding out that they have contracted it.
I'm not looking to be some hero who prevails against the inevitability of the outcome; No, I only want to share, and educate, pass on information I find or that has been beneficial to me, and to maybe, just maybe, give someone out there a little bit of hope that may mean the difference between fighting on...or giving up.
Please, join me as I travel down this path towards a future that (right now) appears dim. A future which is not yet written. A future that I might be able to extend, or even change. It will be a difficult challenge...to say the least. The fight will take strength, courage, determination, perseverence, positivity and love. It will test me beyond anything I have yet faced.
But, as I have already learned, that when the fight is at its most difficult, your mind will determine how you will face that which lies before you. Each of us have greater strength than we realize; a greater ability to face adversity that we can possibly comprehend. That strength clearly, unquestioningly displays itself when we need it most. The only question is, how will You decide to face this trial? As for me...
...It is a fight I very much look forward to fighting!
Sincerely,
ScottW
In getting my yearly physical last month, my bloodwork showed two anomolies: The BUN and Creatinine output levels are twice the amount they should be on the high end of the scale. I was immediately referred to a Nephrologist who ordered more bloodwork, a 24-hour urine draw, a renal ultrasound, and a renal CT scan.
The results of the tests showed conclusively that I have Polycystic Kidney Disease (or PCKD). This has apparently been coming on for some time and no physician has caught the subtle signs. I am NOT symptomatic beyond the abberant blood results.
Currently, my kidney's are operating at approximately 26% of normal, and are covered in cysts. Because the disease is so advanced there is zero possibility of salvaging my kidney's. My physician estimates that I have 1 to 1.5 years until we have to take drastic measures regarding my future. At that point, I'll have two options that will be available to me:
1) Dialysis for 2 to 3 years
2) Kidney transplant.
For now, we are going to establish a baseline for comparison as to how fast or slow the disease is progressing. This will go until at least this coming January (2010). At that point, I'll have to start making decisions regarding possible outcomes/scenarios.
That news came to me just yesterday. I've spent the past 36 hours absording the information, and the various implications of the news. This evening, I decided to write a blog about how my fight against PCKD is going. I'm planning on updating my readers about tests, decisions, how I'm feeling, upcoming events, etc. My intent is to educate others who might be going through PCKD from those who have had it a while, to those who are just finding out that they have contracted it.
I'm not looking to be some hero who prevails against the inevitability of the outcome; No, I only want to share, and educate, pass on information I find or that has been beneficial to me, and to maybe, just maybe, give someone out there a little bit of hope that may mean the difference between fighting on...or giving up.
Please, join me as I travel down this path towards a future that (right now) appears dim. A future which is not yet written. A future that I might be able to extend, or even change. It will be a difficult challenge...to say the least. The fight will take strength, courage, determination, perseverence, positivity and love. It will test me beyond anything I have yet faced.
But, as I have already learned, that when the fight is at its most difficult, your mind will determine how you will face that which lies before you. Each of us have greater strength than we realize; a greater ability to face adversity that we can possibly comprehend. That strength clearly, unquestioningly displays itself when we need it most. The only question is, how will You decide to face this trial? As for me...
...It is a fight I very much look forward to fighting!
Sincerely,
ScottW
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