Kidney Patient Guide

I asked my doctor what my creatinine was and he told me, but said it really didn't matter because I was already on dialysis. Makes sense...if your kidneys are bad enough to be on dialysis, how much does it matter if they are working well or not? After all, creatinine values measure how well the kidn...

Hi Amanda, I'm so sorry you are feeling so down about all of this. When you're in the midst of all this pain and fear and just feeling exhausted, everything seems unbearable. I think it takes courage to change treatment in the middle of the stream-especially if you are not sure you have made the rig...

I have always taken antibiotics before dental treatments--even when they just clean my teeth. I'm not sure if this is only because of my transplant meds (which I don't take anymore) or not. I also have heart issues, so that may be a factor as well. Haven't been to visit the dentist since I stopped t...

If I knew a secret to it, I'd tell you! LOL I just always took my meds on time and tried to eat healthy (although I admit I've had my share of junk food--especially when I was on high doses of steroids! :shock: ) I don't think I did anything that I could put my finger on and say "That's why it ...

Thanks, Laura and Amanda, for explaining more about it...I hope I never get peritonitis, but I guess there is no use worrying about it; just try and keep everything sterile to the max! It is a shame that many doctors don't take renal patients seriously! We probably know more than the docs do! One of...

So happy PD is going well for you! I know how you feel...I began PD last year after my tx failed and it has really been great! You do have a lot more freedom and flexibility in your day-to-day schedule. Are you going to get a cycler? I love doing PD at night and having my days free...kidney disease ...

Well, it's done (I hope)...I am no longer on any sort of anti-rejection meds whatsoever. I had kind of mixed emotions about it--like, YAY! no more steroids! But then, that also means the kidney is, for all intents and purposes, gone. :( I'm having some weird symptoms, though. Kind of like I had befo...

Haydn, I am so happy all is going well with you! Some people do great on dialysis, others don't...and it's ok to tell your story with your treatment--glad all is working out! :D I'm not a pessimist either, but sometimes you just have to face reality that sometimes having this disease sucks. I am doi...

Liz, I agree with you wholeheartedly...and I love your outlook on your kidney disease!!! :D True, must face reality when it comes to renal failure, but why can't we still have a sense of optimism as you do? I agree with your statements about growing up with a kidney disease..I can relate to a lot of...

Hi all, I have a question about DRA (dialysis related amyloidosis) I have been having numbness in my fingertips for awhile and wondered what could cause this...it's not like they fall asleep, they just feel like someone injected them with novacaine-and only on the first joints of my fingers. My righ...

I know what you mean! I thought the tube was at least twice the size that it actually is. Glad all went ok with your surgery...take care and don't do any heavy lifting or straining....
Best wishes,
Pam

I will be hoping and praying for you to find a donor for your transplant! Just don't forget that having a transplant is hard work-especially in the first year or so. I had a cadaver-donated kidney transplant which lasted for 32 yrs and though I would not trade those years I had with it, there were t...

Sounds like you are doing the right thing...can't say much more than everyone else here has already stated, but I couldn't help but notice the last part of your post which said that you might be feeling "oversensitive"about having to be on dialysis and deal with this kidney stuff the rest ...

Hi JMan, Could you fill the syringes yourself? I just get the bottles of EPO and the nurses give me regular syringes which I then fill myself for injection. The bottles are so tiny they hardly take up any room in the fridge and I keep the empty syringes in with my supplies until I need a dose of EPO...

You are so right, Mike..agree 100%! Most of these comments are probably from people who've never had half the hardships that this amazing young woman has gone through, yet she managed to get a doctorate even with all the roadblocks in her way--who cares how long it took??? :roll: I'd say she's allow...