kidney function

[Guest guest]

Dear Steve

I have only one kidney that works, but Dr. McMinn was willing to

do my resurface so long as the function in the other kidney was OK. I

had some blood tests for renal function, and they all turned out in

the normal range, so I had the operation almost 12 weeks ago. I make a

point of getting enough sleep, and trying to spend at least 30 minutes

a day lying flat on my back to encourage kidney function. I also put

my feet up on a lounge chair when sitting for a long time such as when

reading the paper, etc.

When I was pregnant 25 years ago (I'm 53 now) I had to spend at

least a couple of hours a day lying down in order to help fight edema,

but I've had no serious problems since then, except occasionally in

very hot weather. I wear knee-high compression socks on all long air

flights. I had only minimal swelling in my leg after the operation,

because I wore the anti-embolic stocking almost all the time for the

first six weeks, and didn't try to do too much (in the way of physical

activity) too soon.

I progressed from crutches (3-4 weeks) to cane (3 more weeks) to no

walking aids at the normal rate recommended by my doctor, and this

week I'm resuming my (non-impact) fitness classes twice a week. I can

walk for a couple of miles at a normal rate of speed without having to

rest and without much muscle soreness afterwards.

From what I've read on this board, I don't think there are many

reports of cancer, etc. from metal ion releases, which in any case are

supposed to be minimal after the first two years. They are doing

follow-up studies on some B.C. resurfacing patients (but not me, since

I had mine done in England) in order to measure the metal ions. The

results probably won't be published for a couple more years. I think

that there are some results available from European studies.

There are obviously some unknown risks in a procedure that's only

13 years old, but the risk of failure of a THR in a younger person is

very high after 10-15 years, so I and the others prefer to take our

chances with the metal ions instead, and enjoy the better quality of

life that a resurfacing provides in the meantime. Check the archives

and links for more information on metal ions. I changed my

multi-vitamin pills to a brand that doesn't contain chromium, and I

take extra Vitamin E, but otherwise I haven't worried about the metal

ions very much.

Hope this info helps.

n

rBHR Oct.17/03 McMinn