My dialysis news

[Guest guest]

The concensus seems to be that you want to hear about these things, from me,

Derrick, and others, so here goes my report.

I saw both my dietician and my nephrologist while on the machine Tuesday

evening. The dietician comes around once a month, 2 to 3 weeks after the

monthly blood work. She has a special sheet for each of her patients, with

the lab results that have some connection with diet, and some explanation or

recommendations. Mine were all within the expected normal range. My albumin

level is at the low end of the normal range, but it shows I'm eating enough

protein (I need a minimum of 6 ounces quality protein per day, with some

protein foods being restrictred due to other things like potassium and

phosphorus content). I like my dietican. She is always so positive, but, I

heard her talk with others, and I know she can be pretty forceful if she has

to. Many patients don't seem to follow their diet very closely, but

coincidentally, they always seem to be the ones who end up with severe

cramps and such.

My pre-treatment potassium seems to be consistently at 4.2. I know I've

varied the amounts I eat, so I'm probably still urinating a fair amount of

potassium - which is a good thing, as long as it lasts. I'm also Ok as far

as phosphorus goes, so I can keep on eating 1 ouce of cheese per day for my

protein, despite the usual recommendation to limit cheese to 1 ounce 3 x

week. She says that this is all because I'm still voiding. I can enjoy a bit

more dietary freedom for now. Eventually, that will change, but it can take

a while. I'm going to enjoy it while I can, I can assure you!

Then the nephrologist came and asked how I felt with the change to a dry

weight goal of 57 kg instead of 56. I told him I could tell the difference.

He said that if I didn't feel well after dialysis, it would be possible to

reduce my dialysis time to maybe 3 hours instead of 3.5 hours. This is

because the numbers (kv/t) show that I'm getting very good dialysis in 3.5

hours. I'm still off all blood pressure meds, and I can't tell you how much

of a godsend this is for me. I've always had trouble with BP med side

effects, for a dozen years. It's sooooo nice to be off them. I don't expect

that will last forever, but again, I'm enjoying it while I can.

He also asked if I might have any potential kidney donors. He wasn't working

there at the time my younger brother was being evaluated and eventually

disqualified, so he didn't know about that. They really like patients to get

a transplant as soon as they possibly can. He checked again about when I'm

seeing the GI specialist about the pancreatitis, so I can get back on the

waiting list. I see her on Sept. 9.

So, no changes at all, neither in medications, dialysis prescription nor

diet. I'll take that

Pierre