Those Wuhan Vaccination side effects lasted a solid seven days!
The headache persisted until the following Sunday, the fever until Monday, and the lethargy lasted until Tuesday. So much fun! The second shot will be on 15 June.
I have so much to look forward to! :o(
Next up, my June lab results.
01 June 21 Labs:
*Creat: 2.99 (-0.34)
*HCT: 35.2 (+0.5) Low
*Hemo: 11.2 (+0.3) IR
*Lymph: Not Taken
*Lymph ABS: Not Taken
*RBC: 3.95 (+0.07) Extremely Low
*WBC: 5.8 (-1.6) IR
*BUN: 47 (+3) Extremely High
*CA: 9.2 (NC) IR
*GFR: 22 (+3) Extremely Low
*Gluc: 109
*K+: 3.8 (NC) IR
*NA+: 137 (-2) IR
*MG: Not taken
*Phos: 3.7 (+0.2) IR
NC= No Change IR= In Range
There was a nice drop in the Creatinine, along with corresponding movement in the GFR and the BUN. Unfortunately, both of those latter numbers are significantly out of their proper ranges.
*Remember, when a kidney (or kidneys) is/are going down, you will see vacillations of all of those key lab values. Next month, all three could very well be worse; while in two months, we could see all three rebound again. It is just the nature of a failing kidney.
The RBC's took another nice bump, which I am surprised to see. It will be interesting to see if the Creatinine, GFR and BUN results from month to month show any corresponding movements in the Red Blood Cell production. I will try to remember to note that, but no promises as my brain has started becoming a little foggier again.
I saw my Nephrologist on 01 June. He is pleased, overall, with my "progress." We are both frustrated with my energy level, so he ordered that I start taking OTC oral Iron tablets to see if a boost in my RBC's might add some better oxygenation to my body, and therefore, more energy. He did caution me that this might not work simply because of the kidney going down. It's worth a shot, though.
I had my June Infusion of Belatacept just yesterday. The nurse got the stick on the first try! (Thank goodness!) My next infusion will be on 06 July.
As far as other things...
The acupuncture is going well. My TMD remains in relative check; which isn't saying a lot, but again, at least the headaches aren't out of control like they were when my original kidneys were dying. So, I'll absolutely take "relative control!" My feet have been experiencing many nerves waking up with dozens of pinprick sensations on all of the toes, on top of both feet, and some on the bottoms of the feet. There is still a ways to go, but with my feet starting to swell again, any progress against the neuropathy is excellent!
The TMD headaches have had a change in the pattern, going from all of the time to [usually] starting up in the evenings. This is likely due to a simple buildup of jaw tension throughout the day. By the next morning, it is usually calmed down. I have experienced this now for over a month, which is how I know the pattern has changed. I really don't mind the change because it gives me a number of hours every day that are mostly headache free.
Because of my energy, I have not worked out in a month now. Again, what energy I have is quickly used up getting my wife ready for work, going to appointments, and getting some errands a/o shopping done. This all happens by about noon. After that I am totally spent. IF the Iron supplements help at all, I should see an increase in my energy within about a week. We'll see...
My appetite has started shifting again. Foods that I have been fine with are becoming unappetizing once again. Some days I have almost no lunch, but a decent dinner, and visa-versa. Every so often I'll have a decent lunch AND dinner; though these are markedly happening less. IF I can start working out again, this will definitely help my overall food intake.
Sleeping has been OK, at best. My dreams remain under my control, but the past few weeks, my ability to get back to sleep after emptying my bladder throughout the night has taken a step backward. Some nights I get up to six hours of quality sleep, but most nights that is more around 4.5-5.0 hours. Yes, this doesn't help my overall energy level; but even after taking 1-2 hour naps during the day, I still have no energy.
As far as my weight, without regular exercise, I am still hovering between 114.0 Kgs and 115.5 Kgs. Right now, my day to day weight-loss is a constant yo-yo. This isn't ideal by any stretch; but at least I am not gaining a lot more weight.
Next week (Tuesday) is my second Wuhan Virus vaccination.
After talking with a number of people regarding the difference between their first and second vaccinations [with the Pfizer formulation], there is no clear consensus as to how the second vaccine might affect me. Some people had no S/S's (Signs and Symptoms) on the First, but got hit on the Second. Some had severe S/S's on the First, but relatively none on the Second dose. And a couple of people had S/S's on both doses. Some had no immune responses to either. No one I spoke to though had a compromised immune system like I do; so, anything can happen is basically the approach I am taking.
And that is all I have today.
I hope that all of you are safe, healthy and getting back to life.
Good Health to All!
ScottW
