RE: kidney failure (Full Version)

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hausboy -> RE: kidney failure (5/11/2011 2:20:45 PM)

Okay. some more.

There is something called a Patient Bill of Rights.  Too long to type it/recite it, but here is the link for you to read:
http://mhcc.maryland.gov/consumerinfo/hospitalguide/patients/consumer_help/bill_of_rights.htm

Also check with your hospital about cab vouchers--almost every hospital here gives them to patients who have no other way home.

Lastly--your hospital likely has a department of patient support services.  These are folks that do everything from acting as patient advocate to explain procedures, resolve misunderstandings between the hospital and patient, assist with patient needs (non-medical), emotional support--many of them also do living wills, notarization and can connect you with other resources. 

In fact, while you're lying there....google the website of your hospital-- it likely lists all of the services they provide, along with phone numbers you can call direct from your room. 

Good luck and hope you're feeling better soon





Lockit -> RE: kidney failure (5/11/2011 2:40:29 PM)

(((((((((((((((((((((LL))))))))))))))))))))))))

I wish I had more to offer and could come sit with you and help...



tazzygirl -> RE: kidney failure (5/11/2011 2:44:32 PM)

13. Make a list of all medications you take, or have taken, in the last few months, including over the counter meds.
14. If you have experimented with any new foods, then list those too. Foods that are not prepared properly (sushi comes quickly to mind) can cause all sorts of problems with various organs, including the kidneys.
15. Fluid intake will be restricted. Ask how much and how to integrate that new restriction into your diet keeping in mind your other health problems.
16. Ask for a referral to a dietitian.
17. If you are to go on dialysis, your skin will take a hit. Find some lotions you like that are thick...Eucerin worked well with my patients. Pay special attention to your legs and feet.
18. You will spend alot of time on the machines. Pack a sack full of things you enjoy doing in your quiet time... crossword puzzles, books, even a laptop. A visit to the unit before your first run would be helpful.
19. Lastly, renal failure is one of the few disorders that is not disputed often when it comes to disability. This will be expensive, the cost of runs (dialysis runs) were over 800 a pop when I was working in the MB dialysis center. Your nephrologist will be able to tell you if you are eligible.

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/social-security-disability-kidney-failure.html

Also, the other patients you will get treatments with are a great source of information. Ask questions, no matter how insignificant you may think they are.

You will be tired... plan on naps especially in the beginning, after your treatments.

You will be thirsty... hard rock, sugar free candy will be a help.

Insist on reviewing all of your meds with your Dr. What may be ok to someone with diabetes, may not be ok for someone with diabetes and kidney failure.

If you dont get pedicures, think about starting. I would not allow them to file or cut nails, but a nice footbath followed by a rub down with lotion may be a good way to pamper yourself. Your feet will thank you. Also a pediatrist may also be in order. The diabetes added to the kidney failure will cause havoc with your feet. Place them as a priority.

Keep in close contact with your endocrinologist. Make sure he/she and the nephrologist both know about any medication or treatment changes the other implements.



hausboy -> RE: kidney failure (5/11/2011 2:50:39 PM)

Thanks Tazzygirl! great advice.

LLady--one footnote (no pun intended)--take it easy with the sugar-free candy.  As a diabetic, you likely already know this, but sugar-free candy and other sugar-free products are often made with sorbitol and mallitol ...  pretty much, it if ends in "tol"... it has a huge laxative effect.  Limit intake to just one or two pieces/servings. Otherwise, the results can be, er, dramatic.  Painful cramps, gas and severe diarrhea.  And in your case, this can dangerously affect both your electrolytes and your hydration.

(we used to call sorbitol  "Shit-it-all")



tazzygirl -> RE: kidney failure (5/11/2011 3:01:45 PM)

There are a few who use items such as Splenda.



Lucylastic -> RE: kidney failure (5/11/2011 3:29:58 PM)

Lafayette Lady, I am sending healing thoughts to you,Im so sorry to hear your news, sending virtual hug too. Hope that you are up and about soon, Goo Luck
Lucy



juliaoceania -> RE: kidney failure (5/11/2011 5:44:50 PM)

My mother has kidney troubles and they keep a fairly close eye on her kidney function. At one point she was down to 30% kidney function, but with proper treatment she has greatly improved... although she always has to be careful about what she eats, etc (she cannot have too much potassium, for example).

As others have said, I wish you a complete recovery from whatever is causing your ailment. Never hurts to get a second (and in some cases a third) opinion, no matter what the prognosis is. I know this from my mother's experience... which is hardly universal and is most likely not analogous to your issue.



DomKen -> RE: kidney failure (5/11/2011 9:00:41 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: tazzygirl
19. Lastly, renal failure is one of the few disorders that is not disputed often when it comes to disability. This will be expensive, the cost of runs (dialysis runs) were over 800 a pop when I was working in the MB dialysis center. Your nephrologist will be able to tell you if you are eligible.

It's over 2500 each run at my clinic.

Oh and Tazzy mentioned a very important point, dialysis can go up to 4 1/2 hours and you can't move much so I read a lot of books and watch a lot of DVD's. Have something you can do for all that time if you aren't able to simply sleep through most of it.



tazzygirl -> RE: kidney failure (5/11/2011 10:24:16 PM)

I worked Dialysis in 2000, Ken. Im sure it has gone way up since my time. One lady would bring in bills to pay, another would bring in Disney Cds to watch, someone else was writing a book about their dialysis experience, and another, the oldest lady of the group, would bring in contests news letters and win all sorts of stuff while she ran her treatment. [:D]



MaxsBoy -> RE: kidney failure (5/11/2011 10:54:40 PM)

Hugs to you LL, and you have c-mail.



Whatfun -> RE: kidney failure (5/12/2011 12:27:15 AM)

First of all, best of luck to you LafayetteLady. I will keep you in my thoughts.

There can be many reasons for your kidneys to have failed and some are reversible while others are not. I don't know how well you were controlling your diabetes, but uncontrolled diabetes can definitely lead to kidney failure. The blood vessels supplying the kidneys are tiny tiny and if you've been going around with high blood sugar levels it can affect those little vessels and keep the kidneys from getting all the blood flow they need to function properly. I don't know whether this is the cause in your case - just know that keeping your blood sugar under control is very important.

You've already gotten lots of great advice for the immediate term. If you do end up having to go on dialysis, don't panic. Lots of people live productive lives while on dialysis. Also, within five years from now, artificial kidneys are expected to be available which will replace the need for dialysis and kidney transplant.

The kidneys serve many important functions in the body including:
- fluid regulation (which is why you have this swelling as they are not filtering fluids like they normally do)
- electrolyte balance as previously mentioned (potassium, sodium, phosphorus)
- activation of the vitamin D that you ingest and get from the sun
- blood pressure regulation
- helping to produce red blood cells as previously mentioned

Once you know more about your immediate condition and are out of the hospital, you should consult with a registered dietitian. Depending on your level of kidney function, you may need to alter your intake of sodium, protein, potassium, phosphorus, and/or fluids. Each individual is different in the level of each of these that their kidneys can handle and even the same individual may need to adjust their diet each month based on his/her blood work from the previous month. So while others may offer well-meaning advice about eating more or less of something, be careful. What's safe for you is likely to be different than what's safe for another person.

Rest up, count your blessings that you made it to the hospital in time, and trust that you will get through this. Best wishes!



SexyBossyBBW -> RE: kidney failure (5/12/2011 12:36:04 AM)

Not knowing the entire story,
quote:

Today I am writing this from the emergency room where they have told me my kidneys are failing.
, it's alarming, if it has been a chronic problem, resulting from conmplications of ddiabetes.

Acute renal failure, from some trauma, or severe dehydration, I have seen come back to function, after the initial insult is removed/passed, with a couple of rounds of CVVH, or Hemodyalisis. As to chronic renal failure, I don't so much know the prosess, or whether it can be cured, except by continued dialysis, and hopefully, an eventual renal implant.

Here's to hoping yours is an acute case, that can be reversed. [sm=waiting.gif] I'm sending healing thoughts. M

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/432796
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/461108
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/403603



ShaharThorne -> RE: kidney failure (5/12/2011 1:51:54 AM)

The best of luck for you, LL.  I know it will be a bit rough for you but I got a blue candle burning for you.



LafayetteLady -> RE: kidney failure (5/12/2011 11:59:00 AM)

I just wanted to thank everyone for all their kind words and helpful advice. My pastor came by and visited with me for a while which was helpful. All of you "non-believers" hush up and allow me my moments of peace!

It seems I have Acute Tubular Necrosis. Caused by a variety of factors, amounting to precriptions given to me by other doctors; Lisonpril, substituted for Benecar, which is medication for blood pressure. Won't be taking THAT anymore. Also, something called Voltarin, and anti-inflamatory.


Who knows why these things happen. I got through it (well so far) and soon I should get to go home. I'm sure some of you are thinking my doctor or pharmacist should have mentioned that the risk of such a thing occurring is higher for diabetics, but it is one of those instances where someone stubbed their toe during "trials" and the info included. In other words, this was a won in a million shot and I hit the jackpot.

I am hoping that this will correct itself soon and I can get the hell out of the hospital!



thishereboi -> RE: kidney failure (5/12/2011 12:08:06 PM)

I am sending happy thoughts and prayer your way. Get better soon 



LadyConstanze -> RE: kidney failure (5/12/2011 12:25:25 PM)

Seems you really drew the short straw with your medication, but luckily it is now all sorted (they know what was the cause, so the cause can be removed) and you should be on the road to recovery soon! Fantastic news, I'm holding fingers and toes crossed for a speedy recovery!



hausboy -> RE: kidney failure (5/12/2011 12:56:16 PM)

Wow.  I had to look that one up!  This link below is from the NIH (National Institute of Health) NLM (National Library of Medicine)--it's a reputable source.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001541/

On the good news side--according to the information provided, the prognosis is fairly good--the condition is reversible and can take as little as a few days.  And it does mention that it can be caused by a toxic combination of medications (and diabetes can make one more susceptible), and future prevention includes a careful screening of all future medication changes. 

(I'm sure now someone will hijack the thread with "all medications are evil"--if that's you out there about to type it..... just make a new thread, willya?)

Glad they found the root of the cause, and have you back to normal in no time
best




DomKen -> RE: kidney failure (5/12/2011 1:45:59 PM)

I'm glad for you LL, I hope you are much better very soon.



jewelsthepoet -> RE: kidney failure (5/12/2011 8:23:31 PM)

I actually just had a friend go through the same thing. He'd been having high protein count in his urine for years before the doctors figured out something was wrong (malpractice) and was in the hospital for several months dying from kidney failure and on dialysis for several months afterward with a slew of medication.

He now is not on the transplant list and has regained 35% of his kidney function. He's doing fine, but under some restrictions, including no alcohol, and taking medication that seems to be increasing his kidney function slowly but surely over the course of the last year and a half. The doctors are watching him closely but he's back to leading a fairly normal life.

So... i hope for you the best and that your story ends up more like his, or if not, getting the transplant that will last you about a decade that will give you back your health to a degree that right now seems impossible. You'll probably have to be monitored closely for several years to ensure that you continue to improve, but it's better than the alternative. So good wishes your way and while this is very serious and very scary, i am hoping that with treatment you'll soon recover enough to be able to function pretty much as you had been before this happened.



peppermint -> RE: kidney failure (5/12/2011 9:25:33 PM)

Hugggggggggggggggggggggs LL.

Yes there is life after kidney failure.  Last November Gary had lung failure, heart failure, and renal failure.  Today he is doing very well with only minimal problems.  You have to realize he had a single lung transplant nearly 10 years ago so the lung problems will never stop.  The heart is a fairly new thing which seems to be affected by the lung problems.  The renal failure happened when his lungs and heart were at their worst.   Last November he almost died several times.  Today he is healthy and happy and back to golfing. 

Just let the docs figure out what is happening to you.  Ask tons of questions.  Get yourself sorted out. 



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