Re: another update

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Pierre and everyone elso who replied.

The Caltrate tablets here are not chewables, so its gross. They do

have an option that are 'chews'--like a taffy sort of consistency.

They are not like Tums which I equate to chewing chalk. I did find

Mylanta tablets which are calcium carbonate and magnesium. Since I

take magnesium anyway in an effort to reduce cramping, I guess its OK.

Another query--I have read that many kidney failure patients fail to

produce much urine, hence the liquid intake restriction while on

dialysis. I know that you have mentioned that that is not always the

case with IGAN, Pierre. How do you know if your're urine output will

decrease? Does it happen gradually? If at 20-25 percent function,

since I still have good output, is it likely to get worse quickly?

What is 'normal' output anyway?

Thanks.

> Sorry you've reached this point, , but I'm glad your

nephrologist is

> taking the necessary steps. Attending the pre-dialysis class or

classes

> helps to feel we have more control over what is going on. It's also

best to

> be prepared.

>

> I'm not on noturnal home hemo - we have a program here, but with the

> underfunding of it the way it is, there are way more applicants

than they

> can handle. I don't mind though, because I don't think I would want

to do it

> anyway if I'm not too far from getting a transplant.

>

> The requirements for noturnal home hemo are the same as for home

> hemodialysis in general. First, you have to be a stable dialysis

patient.

> You basically need suitable accommodations (and usually access to

plumbing

> that isn't too complicated or prohibited (like if you rent, for

example).

> You need a partner to train along with you, and that person has to

be

> reliable enough to be there with you when you do your dialysis. The

other

> thing that many people don't realize is that you DO have to needle

yourself.

> Not everyone has the stomach for that.

>

> Personally, I like just going to the dialysis centre and

letting " them " look

> after things. I just relax as it's going on. But home hemodialysis

is

> certainly a choice many people make or would like to make. The

advantages

> are mainly that you do it at home, and so you don't have to go to a

dialysis

> centre for a specific time, and because it's done more often, it

may be

> better for you healthwise. On the other hand, you do have to do it

yourself

> all the time, respond to the inevitable alarms for things like poor

> conductivity, poor blood flow (like when a tube kinks, and many

other

> things. When a problem arises, you have to telephone the nurse, and

then do

> whatever has to be done yourself.

>

> Here, they just tell patients to use plain, ordinary TUMS as their

> phosphorus-binder. It's cheap, and, calcium is calcium. As far as I

know,

> any calcium carbonate is fine, as there's no difference, as long as

you have

> the same dose. For example, I'm using regular TUMS, but some people

I know

> are on the extra strength TUMS, simply because they need more to

maintain

> acceptable phosphorus levels. I've never heard of having to crush

them

> before. I mean, you have to chew them anyway. We have the Caltrate

brand

> here as well, but I've never looked at it.

>

> Pierre

>

> another update

>

>

> > Hi everyone.

> >

> > Well, I redid my lab tests and my values from 2 weeks ago did not

> > change, so it seems tha I have taken a fairly big leap in

creatinine

> > from 3.3 to 4.6 over about 3 months.

> >

> > So, the neph has switched to monthly monitoring and she has

> > recommended that I attend the dialysis info days and transplant

info

> > day offered at the hospital in August. I may have a bit of time

left,

> > (who knows?)but I want to be completely prepared with as few

> > surprises as possible.

> >

> > If a living donor transplant does not pan out, her advice is to

> > seriously consider Nocturnal Home Hemo. Is anyone on it? It

takes a

> > while to train for and there is a waiting list of 2-3 months for

the

> > machine. It sounds like a good option, though the responsibility

is a

> > bit scary. Of course, I am more or less uneducated at the moment.

> >

> > In addition, for the first time my phosphorus was a bit high. She

did

> > not impose any dietary restrictions, but added a phosphate binder

to

> > my regimen. I have been given Caltrate tablets that I am

supposed to

> > crush and take before meals. Very nasty. On their website they say

> > they have chewables, but I can't seem to find them in Australia.

Is

> > this the same as Tums? I would rather take those, even if I have

to

> > get my sister to send them from the States. Are there any other

> > alternatives?

> >

> > Thanks everyone,

> >

> >

> >

> >