an extension of the old thread re: health problems.
As I have said in the past, I have kidney problems-
which effect me in more ways than one. I am not
trying to whine nor complain, but sometimes I do-
for I get so frustrated at doctors sometimes and
I get angry at myself.
My kidney problems started about a year ago, when I
started to retain excessive fluid in my legs, ankles and feet
and other areas in the body. (The only thing that I can account
as to hurting my kidneys was taking Tylenol during a flu.)
Other than the swollen legs and feet, the excess fluid also
collected in my lungs-making it hard for me to breath.
I thought I had COPD or worse-Emphysema. I went to a
pulmonologist and had various tests done-where the tests
revealed that my lungs were pretty clear, despite several years
of smoking. No COPD or Emphysema. The lung dr gave me
a prescription for an inhaler-Combivent to use when I
couldn't get air into my lungs. He had no other explanation as to why I wasn't breathing correctly or why I had so much swelling.
To shorten a long story-thru extensive testing and lots of money spent-it is kidney disease that causes the swelling in my legs, ankles and feet. I have a build up of too much protein, sodium and potassium in my body. All 3 elements, the kidneys cannot filter out these waste products. I am on a low sodium, potassium, protein diet now.
The breathing issues are also from the kidneys. My kidneys bleed minute amounts of blood-you can't see it in the toilet water-but when I do a urine test-the blood is in the urine. Because I am losing blood-alot more than I think I am, I am severely anemic.
The anemia, if severe enough can kill you- it is the lack of blood in
the body needs.
I lack the hormone in my bone marrow that makes the red blood cells that a body needs. I take a replacement hormone-an
injection called Procrit every week, to help build the blood supply in
my body. The red blood cells are essential in the body so that you have proper oxygen content, to breath.
When I have breathing problems, which come and go, I get to the Oncologist ASAP to have blood drawn so I can see where the red blood counts-the hemoglobin is at.On a normal scale of 11.7 -15.5,
my count is at 8.4 which is pretty low. At 7.4 I would have to get
at least 2 blood transfusions.
Other than the breathing issues, there are daily walking issues. Because the legs are constantly swollen, walking is difficult. Getting into a car-I have a low car-a Volvo-I have problems getting into it sometimes. I dread getting into a truck or
an SUV/Suburban because I cannot lift my leg(s) high enough to get in. I need assistance to get my legs in.
Of all the things that you do every day and you do automatically without thinking about moving certain muscles. My muscles and the brain do not always work together correctly. It's like they are out of sync.
I have difficulty walking up one step. If there is a flight of stairs, and no chair lift-guess what?? I don't go up the stairs. I have made alot of attempts to go up a flight of steps and it takes 15 minutes to do
a flight of 20 steps-not counting the "rests" every 4 steps. It's awful to see me on the steps...I look like a child just learning how to do steps.
In the "off topic-weather thread" I spoke about falling- Yeah I fall alot. It's better to fall inside on soft carpet than on concrete. I have fallen on concrete a few times...is that what they call "life of hard knocks?"
I get very angry with myself-for I don't function like I used to.
By trial and error, I have learned how to pull myself up off the floor using a chair. It's not pretty and it takes me awhile. I use the handicap ramps to enter sidewalks/buildings. I have a handicap placard that I can use. I try not to use it-and force myself to do like every one else-walk(waddle?) like a real person.
I have not yet bought a cane to assist me in walking-altho it has been suggested that I would benefit by using it. Yeah-use it to beat snakes and fire ants with ;D
Don't be scared off by what I have written-the only thing I ask is that you talk about yourself or a loved one and the disabling conditions. Some folks know of others or themselves that have to re-adjust the things they do. As we get older, more problems tend to creep up on us. And one day-we have to face a new challenge.