TO MOJO/ ABOUT LAB RESULTS

[Guest guest]

, I'm sorry I can't remember whether you have mentioned anything about your kidneys. How are they? I couldn't help but see your creatinine, it's high. Did your doctor says anything about that?

Your cholesterol is not bad at all. For years, due to the fact that I was loosing so much protein, my cholesterol levels were over 400. There was nothing much I could do about that. I tried some medication for it, but wind up with pancreas problems. Now with the chemo, my kidneys are functioning better, and I am loosing less protein. My cholesterol is just fine.

Still, please let me know about your kidneys.

Mojo

Hi Mojo, Thanks for answering my post about my lab results....I'm trying to become a better Lupie......and learn to take more of an active role in my care and treatment of my disease......Up untill the bad experience with the `Infamous Dr. Ali.'.....I tended to just "do what the doctor said, no questions asked."

I posted my lab results hoping that some of you with a better knowledge of ~The Wolf~ would see something I needed to look into further.....And you have!

As for the creatinine being high( 2.7.)....The doctor said I was probably not drinking enough fluids .....but we will keep an eye on it.......which was probably true, I usually carry around a big `Sippy mug' of water every where I go, I just don't drink anything else but `Brita filtered' water........But the last couple of weeks I have been running ragged to doctors and such and have forgotten my cup several times.

I did see a Nephrologist a couple of years ago for a sonogram of my kidneys because a 24hr pee test ( can't remember what it's called)....looked a little suspicious......He said I have 2 small kidneys.....(.which I thought at the time was a strange statement.....I thought everyone had two kidneys.) But then when I talked to my daughter, she said that she has only one kidney......they call a (Saddle Kidney) ! Ever hear of that?

Anyway.....the Nephrologist said that my kidneys are "Somewhat Compromised" because of the Lupus......and started messing around with different diuretics, and blood pressure meds.when I then learned I am extremely allergic to thiazide diuretics and most blood pressure meds. ......I get a terrible rash and can't breathe.....and wind up having to go on mega big injections of steroids ,and mega doses of Prednisone to get rid of.........

So for now he is just keeping an eye on my kidney functions......saying that the high doses of prednisone can do more damage........I'll just be glad when I get a good Rheumy I can trust to let me know when I need to see my Nephrologist again .....if I do.

Thanks again Mojo.....and I'm glad your kidneys are doing better even though I know how hard it must be going through Chemo........I have a friend who is just finishing a long battle with Hep.C.....but is now in remission.....and almost through with her Chemo......and expects to be able to lead a normal, healthy "rest of her life".......Oh, how I wish those words could apply to LUPUS patients too!

Perhaps someday soon they will!

C.