Re: Another question from the newbie

[Guest guest]

Kris,

Infections and viruses can cause " flare up's " in the IgAN at times causing

your creatinine clearance to worsen, blood in your urine to increase, and

proteinurea to increase. The good news is that normally after you get over your

cold/infection your numbers return to normal. Over time numerous infections can

cause damage and serious infections like the flu have been known to throw some

into renal failure (but I'm talking about the REAL flu not the " oh my stomach

hurts and I have a fever for 24 hours " 'flu'). Trying to avoid colds is a good

thing but don't worry yourself sick over it. *giggle* Just keep up with good

hygiene...wash your hands after being out in public, try not to scratch your

nose or eyes if you've been out for a while without washing your hands, avoid

the person walking around that is coughing or sniffling constantly, that sort of

thing.

So if your regular doctor was thinking in terms of " a single cold isn't gonna

kill you " they are right. Your neph was probably thinking " numerous colds over

time will cause damage so try to avoid sick folks and take extra care. " Your

neph was thinking about the long term cumulative effects and your regular doctor

was thinking short term (as they normally do). I find regular doctors tend to

be the " fix it now and send it home " types when they are faced with a lifelong

disease they falter a bit, where nephs realize this is a lifetime disease that

isn't going anywhere fast.

Does that make it any clearer to you? I hope.

Amy G.

Another question from the newbie

Hi all,

When I went to my neph a few weeks ago and was diagnosed with IGAN, she

mentioned to me that getting viruses and such could

cause this disease to worsen, however, when I was at my doctor on Wednesday, I

asked him about this and he said that getting

viruses wouldn't make it worse... can anyone help me here??? Which is it???

I've been a nervous wreck working every day wondering if I am going to come in

contact with something that is going to make this all worse. I hope that

someone can give me an answer to

this question.... I just need the truth... and it seems that my doctors

aren't in agreement over what the truth is!

Many thanks in advance...

Hugs,

Kris

[Guest guest]

Kris,

Infections and viruses can cause " flare up's " in the IgAN at times causing

your creatinine clearance to worsen, blood in your urine to increase, and

proteinurea to increase. The good news is that normally after you get over your

cold/infection your numbers return to normal. Over time numerous infections can

cause damage and serious infections like the flu have been known to throw some

into renal failure (but I'm talking about the REAL flu not the " oh my stomach

hurts and I have a fever for 24 hours " 'flu'). Trying to avoid colds is a good

thing but don't worry yourself sick over it. *giggle* Just keep up with good

hygiene...wash your hands after being out in public, try not to scratch your

nose or eyes if you've been out for a while without washing your hands, avoid

the person walking around that is coughing or sniffling constantly, that sort of

thing.

So if your regular doctor was thinking in terms of " a single cold isn't gonna

kill you " they are right. Your neph was probably thinking " numerous colds over

time will cause damage so try to avoid sick folks and take extra care. " Your

neph was thinking about the long term cumulative effects and your regular doctor

was thinking short term (as they normally do). I find regular doctors tend to

be the " fix it now and send it home " types when they are faced with a lifelong

disease they falter a bit, where nephs realize this is a lifetime disease that

isn't going anywhere fast.

Does that make it any clearer to you? I hope.

Amy G.

Another question from the newbie

Hi all,

When I went to my neph a few weeks ago and was diagnosed with IGAN, she

mentioned to me that getting viruses and such could

cause this disease to worsen, however, when I was at my doctor on Wednesday, I

asked him about this and he said that getting

viruses wouldn't make it worse... can anyone help me here??? Which is it???

I've been a nervous wreck working every day wondering if I am going to come in

contact with something that is going to make this all worse. I hope that

someone can give me an answer to

this question.... I just need the truth... and it seems that my doctors

aren't in agreement over what the truth is!

Many thanks in advance...

Hugs,

Kris

[Guest guest]

Kris,

Infections and viruses can cause " flare up's " in the IgAN at times causing

your creatinine clearance to worsen, blood in your urine to increase, and

proteinurea to increase. The good news is that normally after you get over your

cold/infection your numbers return to normal. Over time numerous infections can

cause damage and serious infections like the flu have been known to throw some

into renal failure (but I'm talking about the REAL flu not the " oh my stomach

hurts and I have a fever for 24 hours " 'flu'). Trying to avoid colds is a good

thing but don't worry yourself sick over it. *giggle* Just keep up with good

hygiene...wash your hands after being out in public, try not to scratch your

nose or eyes if you've been out for a while without washing your hands, avoid

the person walking around that is coughing or sniffling constantly, that sort of

thing.

So if your regular doctor was thinking in terms of " a single cold isn't gonna

kill you " they are right. Your neph was probably thinking " numerous colds over

time will cause damage so try to avoid sick folks and take extra care. " Your

neph was thinking about the long term cumulative effects and your regular doctor

was thinking short term (as they normally do). I find regular doctors tend to

be the " fix it now and send it home " types when they are faced with a lifelong

disease they falter a bit, where nephs realize this is a lifetime disease that

isn't going anywhere fast.

Does that make it any clearer to you? I hope.

Amy G.

Another question from the newbie

Hi all,

When I went to my neph a few weeks ago and was diagnosed with IGAN, she

mentioned to me that getting viruses and such could

cause this disease to worsen, however, when I was at my doctor on Wednesday, I

asked him about this and he said that getting

viruses wouldn't make it worse... can anyone help me here??? Which is it???

I've been a nervous wreck working every day wondering if I am going to come in

contact with something that is going to make this all worse. I hope that

someone can give me an answer to

this question.... I just need the truth... and it seems that my doctors

aren't in agreement over what the truth is!

Many thanks in advance...

Hugs,

Kris

[Guest guest]

Hi Kris,

Getting a virus doesn't make IgAN worse overall, but it can cause a flare up

which can temporarily make symptoms worse, and some see visible blood in their

urine during a flare up. The good news is that once you recover from the

virus, your levels normally return to the baseline where they were before you

got

sick. One difference is that it can take us a little longer to recover from

an illness than for someone without IgAN, but it is not much of a difference.

In a message dated 12/11/2004 12:40:21 PM Pacific Standard Time,

jkbattin@... writes:

> Hi all,

>

> When I went to my neph a few weeks ago and was diagnosed with IGAN, she

> mentioned to me that getting viruses and such could

> cause this disease to worsen, however, when I was at my doctor on Wednesday,

> I asked him about this and he said that getting

> viruses wouldn't make it worse... can anyone help me here??? Which is

> it??? I've been a nervous wreck working every day wondering if I am going to

> come in contact with something that is going to make this all worse. I hope

> that someone can give me an answer to

> this question.... I just need the truth... and it seems that my doctors

> aren't in agreement over what the truth is!

>

> Many thanks in advance...

>

> Hugs,

> Kris

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kris,

I am sorry about your husband losing his job. Financial stress makes things

much harder too. We all understand the emotional toll of finding out you have

a chronic illness. We do all have our ups and downs. Really, you have to

allow yourself time to work through all the steps of grief because you have

experienced a big loss when you learned your expectation for reasonable good

health was not to be.

We are here to listen anytime you need to vent. Feel free to express all the

emotions you go through. We are a safe sounding board anytime you need one.

I hope things can work out so you can leave your job soon.

In a message dated 12/11/2004 7:02:35 PM Pacific Standard Time,

jkbattin@... writes:

> That is what I thought... and I believe that is what my neph was trying to

> tell me... I have just been having a hard time dealing with some things

> emotionally. And I do appreciate the input! I am working full-time right now

in

> a dry-cleaning facility and besides doing bookwork, I also take in people's

> laundry!! This is what really concerns me because I know that no matter how

> much I wash my hands and use anti-bacterial lotions... I am really coming

> into contact with alot of things! I don't think that I would mind working as

> much if I were doing something that wasn't quite as 'down and dirty' if you

> know what I mean!!

>

> I appreciate your help, I am going to try and see what I can do about not

> working anymore... but since my hubby lost his position about a year ago, and

> about $20,000 a year income... things have been a bit tight!! Hoping to get

> things paid off enough soon that I can quit working in such a 'down and

> dirty' job at least!! Thanks so much everyone... sorry if I become a

> pain-in-the-butt with all the questions!!

>

> Hugs,

> Kris

[Guest guest]

That is what I thought... and I believe that is what my neph was trying to tell

me... I have just been having a hard time dealing with some things emotionally.

And I do appreciate the input! I am working full-time right now in a

dry-cleaning facility and besides doing bookwork, I also take in people's

laundry!! This is what really concerns me because I know that no matter how

much I wash my hands and use anti-bacterial lotions... I am really coming into

contact with alot of things! I don't think that I would mind working as much if

I were doing something that wasn't quite as 'down and dirty' if you know what I

mean!!

I appreciate your help, I am going to try and see what I can do about not

working anymore... but since my hubby lost his position about a year ago, and

about $20,000 a year income... things have been a bit tight!! Hoping to get

things paid off enough soon that I can quit working in such a 'down and dirty'

job at least!! Thanks so much everyone... sorry if I become a

pain-in-the-butt with all the questions!!

Hugs,

Kris

Another question from the newbie

Hi all,

When I went to my neph a few weeks ago and was diagnosed with IGAN, she

mentioned to me that getting viruses and such could

cause this disease to worsen, however, when I was at my doctor on Wednesday,

I asked him about this and he said that getting

viruses wouldn't make it worse... can anyone help me here??? Which is

it??? I've been a nervous wreck working every day wondering if I am going to

come in contact with something that is going to make this all worse. I hope

that someone can give me an answer to

this question.... I just need the truth... and it seems that my doctors

aren't in agreement over what the truth is!

Many thanks in advance...

Hugs,

Kris

[Guest guest]

Kris I can understand the emotional factor completely. My kids got 3 months off

school because I was such an emotional mess right after my diagnosis....they had

to school thru the summer to make up for it. It was actually a good thing since

we found out they prefer to work thru the summer and take off the months from

Halloween to the first of the New Year, go figure. So it changed our entire

schedule around just because I was a mess from Oct '03 to Feb '04.

Is it feasible for you to wear gloves and a lab coat type jacket while at work?

Cotton gloves would even work to put a barrier between you and the dirty laundry

and a long sleeved lab coat would protect your clothes while handling things.

They could be easily taken off for doing your book keeping and slipped back on

when taking in peoples clothes. Just a thought. I hope you are able to quit

your job soon.

Amy G.

Another question from the newbie

Hi all,

When I went to my neph a few weeks ago and was diagnosed with IGAN, she

mentioned to me that getting viruses and such could

cause this disease to worsen, however, when I was at my doctor on

Wednesday, I asked him about this and he said that getting

viruses wouldn't make it worse... can anyone help me here??? Which is

it??? I've been a nervous wreck working every day wondering if I am going to

come in contact with something that is going to make this all worse. I hope

that someone can give me an answer to

this question.... I just need the truth... and it seems that my doctors

aren't in agreement over what the truth is!

Many thanks in advance...

Hugs,

Kris

[Guest guest]

We do have rubber gloves that we can use when we need to... and anytime that we

take in things that might include underclothes we do use them... but there is

so much back and forth that it wouldn't be feasible at all to try to do that!

I just try to use alot of the antibacterial lotion stuff... there is just

not enough time to try to use gloves and stuff everytime a customer comes in!

I just don't know how I would be able to work it! I do try to get out of my

work clothes as soon as I get home from work... so that I'm not 'wearing the

germs and all any longer than I have to! I don't start dinner here at home

until I've changed. Hopefully that helps a bit!

Well, I feel like a real emotional mess too... but have to keep going so that I

can work! I have found that I can't concentrate or anything... I used to do

accounting and now I can barely figure out what I am doing from one day to the

next at work! I was beginning to think that my brain was being affected from

the kidney thing or something... but have just come to the conclusion that it

must all be stress related.

Thanks for all the help you give, Amy!! You have been very helpful to me!!!

Hugs,

Kris

Another question from the newbie

Hi all,

When I went to my neph a few weeks ago and was diagnosed with IGAN, she

mentioned to me that getting viruses and such could

cause this disease to worsen, however, when I was at my doctor on

Wednesday, I asked him about this and he said that getting

viruses wouldn't make it worse... can anyone help me here??? Which is

it??? I've been a nervous wreck working every day wondering if I am going to

come in contact with something that is going to make this all worse. I hope

that someone can give me an answer to

this question.... I just need the truth... and it seems that my

doctors aren't in agreement over what the truth is!

Many thanks in advance...

Hugs,

Kris

[Guest guest]

Hi Kris,

As a single parent, I hear you when you talk about finances. At one point

when my son was small, I was holding down three less than ideal jobs, just

to create a brief window so I could be there when he got out at 3:00. At

that time, I was taking in mending, so I appreciate where you are at!

Hopefully, things will ease up for you guys financially. Quick question -

have you run any chemicals you may be in touch with at the dry cleaning

establishment by your neph? I know carbon tetrachloride been phased out in

dry cleaning, but it might be worth while double checking what chemicals, if

any, you are around.

Cy

Another question from the newbie

>

>

> Hi all,

>

> When I went to my neph a few weeks ago and was diagnosed with IGAN,

she mentioned to me that getting viruses and such could

> cause this disease to worsen, however, when I was at my doctor on

Wednesday, I asked him about this and he said that getting

> viruses wouldn't make it worse... can anyone help me here??? Which

is it??? I've been a nervous wreck working every day wondering if I am

going to come in contact with something that is going to make this all

worse. I hope that someone can give me an answer to

> this question.... I just need the truth... and it seems that my

doctors aren't in agreement over what the truth is!

>

> Many thanks in advance...

>

> Hugs,

> Kris

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Both of your doctors are right. I don't think just getting a viral infection

would make the renal failure get worse permanently, or even at all. However,

some (not all) people with IgAN are prone to getting what we call

" flare-ups " of some of the symptoms of IgAN. That is, they might suddenly

spill enough blood in their urine to make it the colour of cola or tea, and

some might get a spike in the amount of protein they leak into their urine.

In some cases, not all, if they were to get blood work at that time, their

serum creatinine might be a little higher, temporarily. But things settle

back down eventually.

Additionally, if you are an IgAN patient who tends to " flare-up " easily, or

if you already have established chronic renal insufficiency, getting sick

from a virus might make you feel more miserable than the average person.

It's hard to just generalize about these things though. I'm just recovering

from a cold that both my wife and daughter had before I did. It felt pretty

miserable one evening on dialysis, but other than that, I probably wasn't

quite as sick as they were, certainly no sicker anyway.

During the 25 years I was pre-dialysis with IgAN, I didn't really get sicker

more often than anyone else.

Pierre

Another question from the newbie

>

> Hi all,

>

> When I went to my neph a few weeks ago and was diagnosed with IGAN, she

mentioned to me that getting viruses and such could

> cause this disease to worsen, however, when I was at my doctor on

Wednesday, I asked him about this and he said that getting

> viruses wouldn't make it worse... can anyone help me here??? Which is

it??? I've been a nervous wreck working every day wondering if I am going

to come in contact with something that is going to make this all worse. I

hope that someone can give me an answer to

> this question.... I just need the truth... and it seems that my doctors

aren't in agreement over what the truth is!

>

> Many thanks in advance...

>

> Hugs,

> Kris

>

>