I decided to wait to type up this entry because of yesterday's monthly labs and Infusion of Belatacept. So let's start there!
06 Aug 19 Labs:
*Creatinine: 2.44 (-0.34) A nice drop!
*Hematocrit: 34.8 (-1.9) Low
*Hemoglobin: 10.9 (-0.7) IR
*Lymphocytes: 12.8 (+2.2) Low
*Lymphocytes ABS: 0.8 (+0.1) Low
*Neutrophils: 80.9 (+2.1) High
*Neutrophils ABS: 5.3 (NC) IR
*Red Blood Cells: 3.86 (-0.19) Extremely Low
*White Blood Cells: 6.5 (-0.2) IR
*Blood Urea Nitrogen: 39 (+1) Very High
*Calcium: 9.8 (-0.2) IR
*Glomerular Filtration Rate: 24 (+4) Extremely Low
*Blood Glucose: 103
*Potassium: 4.5 (+0.2) IR
*Sodium: 138 (-4) IR
*Magnesium: 1.9 (-0.1) IR
*Phosphorous: 3.8 (-0.5) IR
NC=No Change IR=In Range
*Urinalysis:
Appearance: Normal
Color: Normal
Glucose, UR: Negative
Hgb,UR: Negative
Ketones, UR: Negative
Leuk Esterase: Negative
Nitrite: Negative
pH, Urine: 6.0 (Normal Range is 5.0-8.5)
Prot, UR: Negative
Specific Gravity, Urine: 1.013 (Normal Range is 1.003-1.030)
For the first time in a long while I had a nice drop in my Creatinine! It was both surprising a pleasing to see this drop.
The Lymphocytes rebounded back a bit; which I was hoping for. I'm glad that they did not drop any further, thereby putting my immune system at risk, once again.
My RBC's dropped below 4.0...again. I cannot say that I am surprised at this as my energy the past three weeks has been less than earlier. This lab would certainly help explain that.
I also highlighted the Calcium because, after receiving the instruction to decrease my Calcium intake by half, this lab value dropped, as well. I have already notified the doctor about this drop, and if he has further instruction, his nurse will call me.
Last, even though I forgot to include July's Urinalysis in a previous entry, I am very pleased to note that the August reading is exactly the same as July! Talk about stability!
Both my BUN and GFR continue to be on the wrong side of their respective scales. As far as I am aware, there isn't much I can do to help this, as it is the kidney that is responsible for both numbers.
So, despite a few abnormalities, my labs look good!
This months' Balatacept infusion went off without a hitch. Even the IV canulation was done on a single attempt; so no painful bruise this month! And, no untoward side effects, either.
My next doctor visit will be next Tuesday, 13 Aug, with a Dermatologist. Aside from the initial skin exam, I do not know what else might happen. I will write it up for you next week.
**As I was typing, I received a call-back from the nurse of my Parathyroid doctor. She relayed that the doctor had heard my voicemail update, and that he really appreciated my letting him know how my Calcium level is progressing. Also, that I am to continue with my current Calcium intake.
Two weeks ago, I had the thought to try to wear my regular shoes when my wife and I went out on errands. The result was that within a half of an hour, my feet were burning, and I had several tender spots on both feet become more and more aggravated. By the time we arrived back home (after about four hours), my feet were painful, hot and tired. The shoes cam off in the garage, which brought immediate relief; though it would take several hours and an ice bath to cool the feet off.
So, even though I got better back support with my shoes [when walking], the burning and pain were almost too much. Until the local weather cools significantly, I won't be trying that again anytime soon. For short walks...maybe. But we'll see.
With that new-found knowledge [and the terrible heat of mid-summer in the high desert], I have decided that daily walks are out; for now. In the meantime, I had the inspiration that will help me still get exercise, despite the heat and the shoe problem...
...In our home, we have three levels: Entry; Living; Bedrooms. On the south end of our place, there are three sets of stairs totaling 28 steps. I can walk the stairs from bottom to top and down again multiple times per day. This is in addition to any up and down I have to do in my normal course of every day. Plus, doing this solves both the heat and the shoe issues because I can do this in bare feet, and in the air conditioning. My first day of doing this exercise, I did the stair circuit four separate times. Since then, I have done at least that many circuits, plus once or twice going 1.5-2 circuits in succession; though the longer ones wore me out pretty good!
I will continue doing this exercise every day, which will help my strength, stamina and energy, in addition to saving my feet from lots of pain.
The TMD headaches have been consistent the last few weeks. Though controllable with T3's and Excedrin, they are always hurting. Plus, my jaw has been clunking relentlessly, for some reason. As I have explained many times before, I will just keep doing what I have been. Right now, I am in what I term, an "Up Cycle" in regards to the headaches. Lately, the Up Cycles have been tempered with intermittent "Down Cycles" wherein I am able to take little meds because of headaches.
The battle of TMD dominance wears on...
My urinary output is overall, pretty consistent. However, as I've discussed before, there are times when my daily output does NOT equal my input; such as over this past weekend. On both Saturday and Sunday, I took in about 110 ounces of fluids (about 3.3 Liters). Both of these nights saw my output at 300cc's and 650cc's respectively; leading to a weight gain of 8/10's Kg and 6/10's Kg which ballooned my weight from 125.2 Kg to 126.6 Kg in two days. So far, I have failed to eliminate that fluid; and in fact gained more. As of this morning, I am at 126.9 Kg.
This really frustrates me because I am working to not fluid overload from day to day, yet get the proper water I need. However, the last two nights I have voided 1.45 Kg's (1450cc's) and 1.5 Kg's (1500cc's) respectively. I just need fewer nights that lead to increased water retention.
Over the past two weeks my evening blood pressure reading have been elevated, which I cannot account for other that the just-discussed water retention; which would put additional pressure on the heart. My pulses have been great; averaging in the mid to high 60's both morning and evening. This has just been about the blood pressure.
I am taking all meds as prescribed, so that is not the issue. Plus, my nightly intake of Clonidine (specifically for a BP over 140 systolic) has increased from once every five or six days, to every evening. If this trend continues, I'll be calling the Kidney Clinic to notify them, and my Nephrologist to see what he wants to do.
And that is all of the pertinent information I wanted to share with you today. Again, I will be writing next week following my Dermatological appointment.
Have a terrific week, everyone!
Good Health to All!
ScottW
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