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Feeling Ill

Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2017 7:51 am
by JohnW99
Ladies and Gents
At what point did you start to feel ill? My GFR has fallen to 26, until recently I have felt no ill effects, now I am getting headaches, a metallic taste in my mouth, i am low on energy and my blood is showing as slightly anaemic,
Is this normal and in line with what everyone else has experienced.

Re: Feeling Ill

Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2017 4:11 pm
by wagolynn
Hi JohnW99,

Each of us is different as to when we start to feel any effects but your symptoms are typical.

Get the anemia sorted, and get your BP to around 120/80 (cut out added salt), eat a varied diet, until told otherwise, look at five-a-day as the optimum, this will not change the kidney condition but will maintain your general health.

Best wishes.

Re: Feeling Ill

Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2017 8:13 am
by JohnW99
Thank you , I have an appointment for my anaemia in January, I suppose I will start on EPO.

Re: Feeling Ill

Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2017 2:23 pm
by wagolynn
It depends on blood results, and the consultant.

Some try Iron injections/infusions first, if that fails then EPO, others try EPO first, there may be good reasons for either route which would make sense given the full picture.

Low blood count makes me feel very weary.

Re: Feeling Ill

Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2017 6:22 pm
by rheaybou
I was diagnosed at 8%.

So I think my body adjusted over time to reduced function, I never felt ill until I was diagnosed and told I had to start dialysis within weeks.

Maybe knowing you have reduced function doesn’t help? But also anemia kicks in for people at different times. EPO And Iron helped me slightly, but was taking more than Lance Armstrong’s and could barely climb the stairs.

Re: Feeling Ill

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2018 2:00 am
by JohnW99
My consultant is reluctant to put me on EPO, he says my anaemia is not bad enough to justify it, so will see where this goes. my iron and B12 count is good but if my body is not producing enough natural EPO then I suppose I cannot use these stores.

Re: Feeling Ill

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2018 3:40 pm
by wagolynn
As I understand it - You suppose correctly.

EPO gives your bone marrow a Kick in the pants to get it produce more red cells.

Re: Feeling Ill

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2018 7:13 pm
by rheaybou
You also need enough iron along with EPO to make the red blood cells.

Re: Feeling Ill

Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 5:16 pm
by Dixie1
I was lucky and received a deceased donor transplant before I started dialysis and my eGFR was 10. I was still feeling quite well, only really suffering with some cramp and lack of energy, plus I would frequently feel muzzy headed (brain fog) at work in the afternoons, but then don't we all! :lol: I think as someone else has said, everyone's experience of renal failure is different. With regard to the anemia, my Consultant said I would start EPO when my hb levels fell below 10 (100).