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Possible low kidney function
Hello, I am new. From blood work, it appears I may have low kidney function. I am waiting for further testing. I have several other health problems. I am anxious about this and just want to get connected with people who are going through this. I will be reading and learning. Thank you.
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Thank you for the info. I will check those out shortly. The symptoms I have now are much like what I had with Lyme disease. Dizziness, weakness, headaches, nausea, fatigue and blurred vision. But I just have an overall ill feeling and no appetite at all. I think my doctor is also looking at liver function. My potassium has dropped to the normal range but the filter rate is still low. My carbon dioxide and creatinine are still within range but have gone up. I take synthroid, amlodipine and nexium for thyroid, bp and GERD. I take aredia by iv once a month for osteoporosis. Thank you so much for your help. The possibility of kidney disease came as a complete surprise to me and concerns me more than my other issues.
I am sorry for your ordeal with kidney disease. I will appreciate any advice. This is very new and a surprise to me. My creatinine is still in range but has gone up since Dec. I hope that finding this early will help me keep it controlled. I am waiting for my doctor's next step. She talked about an ultrasound. The waiting for tests and appointments stresses me. Thank you. I hope you are doing well.
@ryman, as I looked over your messages this morning, I sensed how uncomfortable you feel waiting to hear from your new primary care doctor, but as a new patient to your PCP, it probably takes more time to visualize and comprehend the full range of your challenges.
These points stick out to me: 1) You suggest that you have had high potassium (hyperkalemia), which might account for some of your most bothersome symptoms. 2) You're taking a lot of medications, some of which you indicate have been with you a long time. 3) You would benefit from a detailed review of your medications -- one by one -- and their possible interactions and current necessity; your PCP will do that for you at your request. 4) You would benefit from keeping a complete file of your lab reports so that, if you'd like to have a second opinion on any major question, you have documentation to share with the other doctor. 5) If you can, ask a medically knowledgable friend to go with you to see your doctor and to act as another set of ears on the answers you receive. 6) Ask your PCP whether referral to a nephrologist is appropriate for addressing your kidney concerns.
This sounds like a lot to do, but the more of it you can shoulder, the more you will be in command of your medical plan, diagnoses, and treatment. I have found that most doctors greatly appreciate this kind of personal involvement by their patients -- even when I offer something "off the wall," my cardiologist thanks me for keeping him "on the ball."
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1 Reaction@ryman, I understand how stressful it can be to wait for appointments and test results. I am glad that your new pcp is doing a thorough investigation of your condition. I suggest, if not already doing so, to keep a running list of your questions for your doctor. I have been thru my share of waiting for results, so I would encourage you to ask how and when you will receive the results - this eliminates one small uncertainty from the clutter.
Rosemary
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1 ReactionAt the risk of being looked at like an know it all......:) I have learned from various health issues to ask questions, and if you don'd understand ask again till you do. I have had great success with that. The waiting is the hardest for me. I fight anxiety and take meds. for it, but that is usually where I go first ...being anxious. And I worry that my increasing weight gain will kill me before anything else does. I have mentioned to nurses but it is always shuffled to another question.
Thank you.yes, I do keep a list of questions. They send my results through a patient portal email or the doctor calls me. I guess. I just worry that all the running for tests and waiting for results allows the problem to get worse. I probably need an anxiety pill but have never found one I could tolerate. I have a weird body that fights me all the way, I have even had a doctor tell me that!
@jjwest, Thank you for sharing what you have learned along the way. All of us, each and everyone, learns as we go along. And although we all endure different conditions and treatments, we can help each other by sharing our experiences. We welcome and appreciate your input here on Connect. I hope for you to get some helpful information from the tests that you mentioned on a previous post.
I am a bit troubled by your comment about your weight concern and the way the nurses seemed to move to another question. That must be frustrating. Did you bring this situation or the weight related question to the attention of the doctor that you see?
Rosemary
Thank you. My new doctor went over my Meds on my first appointment. She is still trying to come up with an alternative osteoporosis treatment but between my swallowing and my insurance that is not easy. Also because of the osteoporosis I wanted to drop Nexium but she was not for that. I am keeping my lab reports and patient summaries. My grandson usually goes with me because I am very hard of hearing and he asks questions and brings up issues. I feel that once the testing is done she will refer me to a specialist. Oh, I am one to go with a written list and make suggestions and I feel this doctor does not mind that. In fact, my first visit her nurse said Feel free to discuss anything at all with her.
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2 ReactionsThis is so frustrating! I keep trying to reply to a certain message and when I click on view & post it takes me to some old messages and a box at the bottom to send. So...I have had a few messages guiding me to sites concerning weight problems. I am still on hold to begin the test for kidney function. I do NOT have any symptoms so I am not too concerned about it. I have been having a difficult time being positive for the last few days. Not sure what is going on...anyone who goes thru these times I would appreciate some input. It seems like so many times in my life I am "on hold" 🙂 I see so many folks on here that are struggling with different things in their lives. So glad folks here are willing to share themselves anD experiences. I need someone to talk with but I don't know why and what I would say. .......oh by the way.......HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! EVERYONE!!
PEACE & LOVE ...jj
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1 ReactionHi @jjwest,
When you hit View & Reply in the email notification, it will first take you to the initial message of that discussion thread. If you wait about 4-6 seconds while the site loads, you'll will be directed exactly to the message you wish to respond to.
However, I'm not sure what is happening with respect to the weight problems site that you're being directed to. Can you please send me an email through this form with more details of the issue? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/contact-a-community-moderator/
We'll get to the bottom of it.
Thanks
Colleen
PS: Improvements to make the site load faster are coming 🙂