The results from last weekends' Lasix test were disappointing; to say the least.
Over the four days I had, I lost a total of 1.30 Kg--or, about 2.8 pounds. The weight loss was NOT consistent, however. From day to day my weight would just yoyo. Luckily, the last day ended on a drop to give me the final total loss.
I spoke with my Clinic doctor on Monday, and with the abbreviated weight loss, the doctor wants to up the Lasix from 40 mg 1x/day to 40 mg 2x/day to see if this makes any difference. I have been on this schedule since Wednesday, and have dropped only about 3/10's of a Kg in overall water loss. So far, I have had no cramping or any signs of dehydration. As per instructions, I am to call the doctor once I hit a sustained total loss of 1.6 Kg.
My labs this week were nearly all improved. Let's look at those...
13 Nov 18 Labs
*Creat: 2.70 (+0.25) An unexpected rise
*HCT: 33.7 (+0.8) Low
*Hemo: 10.4 (+0.3) IR
*Lymph: 9.0 (+6.2) Very Low
*Lymph ABS: 0.5 (+0.3) Very Low
*Neut: 77.3 (-3.8) High
*Neut ABS: 4.0 (-1.2) IR
*RBC: 3.66 (+0.08) Low
*WBC: 5.2 (-1.3) IR
*BUN: 45 (+3) Extremely High
*CA: 9.9 (-0.1) IR
*GFR: 25 (-4) Extremely Low
*Gluc: 106
*K+: 4.2 (-0.3) IR
*NA+: 139 (-2) IR
*Prot: 6.9 (+0.1) IR
*MG: 2.4 (+0.1) IR
*Phos: 3.9 (+0.4) IR
*BK: Not Detected
*CMV: Not Checked
NC= No Change IR= In Range
The good news on the labs is that the Hemoglobin, Hematocrit and Red Blood Cells all showed improvement over the past two weeks, and with no additional help from an Aranesp injection! Plus, nine of the labs ended up in the proper ranges; which is excellent!
On the not-so-good side of things, the Creatinine jumped unexpectedly. This could be due to two things either individually, or in conjunction: my sustained weight gain and the muscle building I am achieving in my legs as the result of my daily walks.
Though the doctors are not yet sure why the Creatinine is higher, which is one reason I am trying to lose more water weight.
Plus, I am told by the Clinic doctors that building muscle will raise the natural Creatinine level in your body. So because of that fact, as I grow stronger and start more and more exercises, it will be interesting to see just where my Creatinine ends up.
Anyhow, along with the jump in Creatinine, both the BUN and GFR took jumps in the wrong directions. While I know that these three are connected, I do NOT understand the pathophysiology of said connection, nor any associated issues that occur because of the movements. I really cannot even guess the outcomes of those connections.
Also on the labs, the Lymphocytes did another big jump this week. I am hoping that, with the amount of time that has passed since the rejection, the stabilization I have discussed previously will now begin.
The TMD headaches this week have been terrible. My T3 usage is up to 4/day (+ Tylenol). That increase is about 1.3/day over earlier this month. The previous lull in the intensity and frequency [of the headaches] is definitely gone. My jaw is popping BIG TIME! Even using my NTI devices at night has been zero help. So, I go on...
The walking has been going well. I am doing that same loop a bit faster, and with less help from the cane. I will be timing myself this coming week and working to lower that time a little every day. With time, I will add on more distance as I slowly increase my ability to walk, strengthen my legs and increase my stamina. My current lack of muscles mass and stamina took nine years to devolve to. Getting back all of those muscles and stamina will also take a long time, as previously discussed. But again, at least I have started on that lengthy path.
My appetite is staying within my physical activity. My fluid intake remains between 2.5-3.0 L per day despite the Lasix. I will adjust this as needed on the diuretic therapy.
My brain is waking up more, and I have finally begun running errands by myself. I'm talking about grocery shopping, getting household supplies, and picking up my meds all by my lonesome! (Believe me, if you understood what all of that means to my wife, you'd have a huge appreciation for what she did for me the last nine years! So this is BIG!)
Doing all those errands wears me out, but at least I am getting them done with no assistance.
Plus, I am remembering details, questions and even short-term memory with greater accuracy than since I was placed on dialysis. In effect, I am finally getting my brain back! This too will be a long road to fully realize a healthy brain, but I am well on my way!
I think that that is all I have for you today.
With Thanksgiving celebrations next week, I may not get a new entry written until the following week. If I don't write, I hope that you all have a safe, enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday!
Good Health to All!
ScottW
Saturday, November 17, 2018
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Post-Transplant Update: 07 November 2018
This post is a little past due, but I have been busy running errands that last couple of days leaving me little time to sit in front of my computer to type this up. So...
The Renal Ultrasound I had last Thursday came back showing no additional narrowing of the renal artery. This means that those recent trends in weight, BP and urinary output are unrelated to any blood flow issues to the kidney. So, no angiogram in the foreseeable future (this could certainly change though if the doctors want a better look).
For the moment, I am awaiting word on how the doctors want to proceed from here.
Hopefully, I will hear a plan soon.
There were no labs this week, so there is obviously nothing to report on this front.
Ever since our recent move, I have been trying to get out on walks as much as I can. At first, they were few and far between as I was recovering from the move, then wrapped up getting boxes emptied and things put away throughout the house.
About two weeks ago, I decided to walk to get the mail--about 100 yards in each direction, with the return up a slight grade. In the evening, my wife and I started doing a loop of about 4/10ths of a mile. This was up a steep hill for half, then down a long hill, and winding back to our house up that same slight grade I mentioned earlier. We did this walk about every other evening. It was exhausting, and I had to use my cane...a lot; but we did those walks.
This week (on Monday), I decided to walk the same loop during the day by myself. Yes, I still have to use the cane on the uphill sections, but I hold it on the downhill and flat sections. What brought about this sudden change was the thought that "I just need to start walking every day, and stop letting tiredness get in the way." So, I did that first daily walk on Monday, and have done it three days in a row now. Such a thought pattern is not new to me. Before I had the kidney disease evidence itself, there was nothing that held me back from getting in the exercise I needed. Having that thought hit me on Monday was a terrific reminder that, when I am able, I never let anything stand in my way when it comes top getting exercise. So, I am now more solidly on my way!
Next, let me talk about something I haven't mentioned in a while...the neuropathy in my feet. Though still present, I continues to very slowly improve. Some days are still better than others, but the overall improvement continues. I'm still avoiding shoes...and socks; opting instead for my Tiva sandals. Plus, I still sleep at night with my feet uncovered most of the time. However, the overall lessening is somewhere around 20%. It is only that high because I still cannot feel my feet at all. If I could, the improvement would likely be around 35-40%.
The headaches this past week have been up and down--a nice change from the last two months! I have gone from taking no meds...even Tylenol--for most of a day, to using T3's and even the stronger stuff. I have been using the NTI devices about the same as usual, so that is not a factor. Whatever the cause of this recent headache trend, I am NOT complaining one bit!
In regards to each of the last two subjects, I am hoping to get back to having weekly acupuncture to help with the headaches as well as [possibly] the neuropathy. I think that I have mentioned before how much acupuncture has benefited me in the past. With the headaches, I know that this ancient technique will help. With the neuropathy, I am hoping it will help to reduce the pain, and start calming those nerves down and getting them to communicate properly.
**I just received a call from one of the Clinic doctors about moving forward. Here's the initial plan:
I will be taking 40 mg of Lasix every morning for the next four days. As always, I'll track my weight and vitals. On Monday I am to speak with the same doctor to review how this went. At that point, we'll have a better picture of how to proceed.
In the meantime, if a single day's weight loss is greater than three pounds, I am to discontinue the Lasix for the next day.
With this plan, I need to be sure to increase my fluid intake (to 3.5-4 L/day) in order to avoid dehydration and excessive muscle cramps. I'll start that tomorrow morning, as well.
I think that I'll stop here for today. It is getting later in the day, and I need to get started on cooking dinner.
Next week I will update you on the Lasix thing, as well as the latest labs and anything new for getting my kidney functioning as best as possible.
Until then, have a terrific weekend, and keep yourself safe!
Good Health to All!
ScottW
The Renal Ultrasound I had last Thursday came back showing no additional narrowing of the renal artery. This means that those recent trends in weight, BP and urinary output are unrelated to any blood flow issues to the kidney. So, no angiogram in the foreseeable future (this could certainly change though if the doctors want a better look).
For the moment, I am awaiting word on how the doctors want to proceed from here.
Hopefully, I will hear a plan soon.
There were no labs this week, so there is obviously nothing to report on this front.
Ever since our recent move, I have been trying to get out on walks as much as I can. At first, they were few and far between as I was recovering from the move, then wrapped up getting boxes emptied and things put away throughout the house.
About two weeks ago, I decided to walk to get the mail--about 100 yards in each direction, with the return up a slight grade. In the evening, my wife and I started doing a loop of about 4/10ths of a mile. This was up a steep hill for half, then down a long hill, and winding back to our house up that same slight grade I mentioned earlier. We did this walk about every other evening. It was exhausting, and I had to use my cane...a lot; but we did those walks.
This week (on Monday), I decided to walk the same loop during the day by myself. Yes, I still have to use the cane on the uphill sections, but I hold it on the downhill and flat sections. What brought about this sudden change was the thought that "I just need to start walking every day, and stop letting tiredness get in the way." So, I did that first daily walk on Monday, and have done it three days in a row now. Such a thought pattern is not new to me. Before I had the kidney disease evidence itself, there was nothing that held me back from getting in the exercise I needed. Having that thought hit me on Monday was a terrific reminder that, when I am able, I never let anything stand in my way when it comes top getting exercise. So, I am now more solidly on my way!
Next, let me talk about something I haven't mentioned in a while...the neuropathy in my feet. Though still present, I continues to very slowly improve. Some days are still better than others, but the overall improvement continues. I'm still avoiding shoes...and socks; opting instead for my Tiva sandals. Plus, I still sleep at night with my feet uncovered most of the time. However, the overall lessening is somewhere around 20%. It is only that high because I still cannot feel my feet at all. If I could, the improvement would likely be around 35-40%.
The headaches this past week have been up and down--a nice change from the last two months! I have gone from taking no meds...even Tylenol--for most of a day, to using T3's and even the stronger stuff. I have been using the NTI devices about the same as usual, so that is not a factor. Whatever the cause of this recent headache trend, I am NOT complaining one bit!
In regards to each of the last two subjects, I am hoping to get back to having weekly acupuncture to help with the headaches as well as [possibly] the neuropathy. I think that I have mentioned before how much acupuncture has benefited me in the past. With the headaches, I know that this ancient technique will help. With the neuropathy, I am hoping it will help to reduce the pain, and start calming those nerves down and getting them to communicate properly.
**I just received a call from one of the Clinic doctors about moving forward. Here's the initial plan:
I will be taking 40 mg of Lasix every morning for the next four days. As always, I'll track my weight and vitals. On Monday I am to speak with the same doctor to review how this went. At that point, we'll have a better picture of how to proceed.
In the meantime, if a single day's weight loss is greater than three pounds, I am to discontinue the Lasix for the next day.
With this plan, I need to be sure to increase my fluid intake (to 3.5-4 L/day) in order to avoid dehydration and excessive muscle cramps. I'll start that tomorrow morning, as well.
I think that I'll stop here for today. It is getting later in the day, and I need to get started on cooking dinner.
Next week I will update you on the Lasix thing, as well as the latest labs and anything new for getting my kidney functioning as best as possible.
Until then, have a terrific weekend, and keep yourself safe!
Good Health to All!
ScottW
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