Supplements

Do you know why you had such a tough time getting rid of the infections? Kind of bacteria? Your own immune system? Or no idea?

Initial concern for this one is the ultra high protein, then the other numbers are really high The proteins aren't being filtered into the blood. That won't work or how can that work? Seems the body requires the protein to survive. So, is it attacking itself as it does with autoimmune illnesses?

Re. high infection # : It seems to be the same bacteria for most of them, so I still think I'm not getting rid of the bacteria in the first place and think I should be on antibiotic longer or a different one after this one....that this is really one long infection never kicked. I mentioned that to the nephrologist and she immediately shook her head no.....but no explanation. Only it's largely our anatomy. Women...

Also, it was thought to be a filtration issue, but she seems to think not. Some of the tests indicate the kidney is still filtering....but not protein for some reason.

She's taking this very seriously, so I feel good that she will persist. She instructed scheduling to set-up labs and other tests after July 3, the last day of antibiotic AND to schedule my follow-up w/her a week later to give her time to get results. That's good and gives me some confidence in her. She does see there's a problem, but she's not sharing her thoughts of possibilities.

I'm just frustrated that I have so little knowledge and information about the kidneys. As I feel like it, I've spent some time online w/Mayo sites and others to learn how kidneys work and what the tests really mean. I enjoy that kind of research, learning about something so challenging. I just can't learn enough, but do know enough to ask relative questions. That's a good thing.

Whatever it is, autoimmune involvement again or filtration problem or whatever, I'll be ok. Gradually feeling better, regaining focus and hope and energy level is improving. UTI is lessening, albeit slowly, but it is improving. And, I have good support from you and others and I have an hour massage coming up. Hope. Fun. The junk is still here, but I'm climbing up and out of the hole.
Thanks so much. Let me know what you and your daughter did, what the docs said caused your bladder/kidney problems. I am presuming you're both ok these days re this....
Bless you my friend. Pace yourself. elizabeth

I agree with JK (@contentandwell) regarding supplements.
My aunt took scads of vitamins & minerals and I believe that's why her heart literally fell apart in the surgeons hands.

Here Is Dr. Browns opinion on
Forteo, Tymlos & Evenity.
https://www.betterbones.com/bone-drugs/anabolic-treatment/
Jake

@ess77
Just curious about your Vitamin D level? Were you taking it because you were deficient? Why did your doctor say to stop the vitamin D?
Jake

I guess I'm a risk taker. I take a significant amount of supplements, 4 prescribed by my doctors, others based on my lab work, lifestyle, academic A&P studies and observation of my parents and grandparents. I lived with both parents and grandparents and observed aging from their experience. They all had long life spans, considering their healthcare options. I recently lost both parents at their age of 92. My mother due to bladder cancer, but she fought for 4 years since age 88 and was indepent until her last week of life. My father had demintia, but died of COVID-19. My maternal grandmother and paternal grandfather lived to be age 88. They had unhealthy lifestyles, were obese, but they all had one thing in common, they used supplements.

I stay active, both cognitively and physically. But I am still aging with aches and pains like everyone else. I never saw my elders complain as I watched them age. I didn't know that aging hurts. I was shocked and unlike them, I complain incessantly to my PCP!

Hello, Jake my friend. I still take D3..always will as I am deficient in the D and B and iron, By doc orders. Also give myself B12 shots every other Saturday. I've taken script potassium for years, but only with spironolactone is it absorbed and utilized. . Potassium level is right in the middle! Thrilling to one who has as an adult never had potassium in normal range, always super low. One time I was taken from a lovely dinner party via rescue and potassium was 2. Not good. Hospital staff was horrified. I was a goner....give me that IV and I'm fine.

I have primary Aldosteronism - aldosterone is an adrenal hormone that regulates sodium and potassium, thus blood pressure and heart rythyms, etc. Apparently I had it for years. No tumor, tho. Caused a lot of issues. Several years ago, I was temporarily paralyzed on 2 occasions, could move at all other than my head and mouth, could still talk....Ha, ha! The docs never figured it out, thought I needed a spa time in hospital. I did, but It was really not funny. I was frightened, embarrassed and angry that everyone thought I was pretending or that it was mental....it was hormone imbalance. Now we know and spironolactone daily corrects it. Sodium in blood also caused edema problems for years, high blood pressure, then this little hormone imbalance caused heart failure in 2019. All very dramatic, but life threatening.

There's that old balancing act again.

There you go, my friend. A mess. I do wonder why these strange things happen. There are causes I believe go back to damage done through years taking the seizure drugs of all kinds, and steroids for years and in huge amounts for long periods. Those wonderful chemicals we use to help us can be devastating to the body at times. I think this body is one of those. And so it goes.....as you say, inch by inch. I'm crawling right now, but will soon be up and back in the pool, walking the halls of Mayo with my hot pink walker.

Bless you, Leonard. Thank you for caring. elizabeth

Hello, @lbroomayo1.
Good for you! Keep up whatever you're doing and fuss all you want. Get it out of your system, then you can enjoy and live with a smile. I happen to be in the fussy stage right now, mainly 'cause I feel lowsy and have junk going on, but this will pass at least for a bit and I will smile and enjoy every minute available to me...doggone it!
Blessings and be well. elizabeth

We have no idea why our infections took hold so ferociously, except that we had both been on long-term antibiotic therapy for ear and/or sinus infections, so it was probably a very nasty bug (don't know which) with some resistance to common drugs. We are both fine now, but very careful to drink a lot of water and be watchful for symptoms.

I am definitely back to carefully pacing myself - one very active day, followed by one with less activity. Feels funny after the past 2 months, but my body is happy with it, so will continue. It is wonderful relaxing on our shady patio, listening to the fountain in the pond. Today I will plant the very last of my plants, which have been patiently waiting in the shade, maybe weed a little and take a short walk.
Hope you have a good day!
Sue

You know, Sue, I've had numerous rounds of antibiotics and steroids for years due to lung infections, chronic bronchitis and pneumonia. This regime increased in March 2020, when we had our first covid infections. I had weird illnesses, never found what they were, but later it was reported that covid patients had the same symptoms I did. Yet, I had and have had many covid tests at Mayo, all negative. Something strange was happening. My PCP said he had several patients with similar symptoms with no known cause. I began to think there was something related to covid but different hitting older people with compromised immune systems. Don't know that, but have a suspicion something new was going around. And these were symptoms not known nor announced prior to getting ill, so couldn't be plocebo effect.

Anyway, I was on Zpack and steroids and other antibiotics several times over several months. That may have affected my ability to battle these infections and made them stronger. Doesn't answer the high protein levels, but may answer frequent UTI's.

Hadn't put them together before. Thanks, Sue. I'll mention this to the doc his afternoon. Just got call from Mayo re new appt today, so maybe we'll get started with some answers.

Sounds like you have a wonderful day planned. Easy but active. I had hoped to work on cleaning and refilling feeders today, in between raindrops. The constant daily heavy rains are killing my feeders. Seeds are getting wet and moldy fast, so I'm needing to empty, wash and refill more often and don't feel like it. More energy yesterday, so did about half the work after getting home from taking Rob for a massage....yes, and it helped. Not enough, but better and I was able to drop him off and stay home. He did call about, really, 10 times to chat about whatever, mostly baseball Marlins from Miami, or a movie he was watching. He's better, which tells me if he gets involved w/integrated services and is around other people, not isolated like he's been for 20 years, we'll see improvement. Please pray for him.

Glad you're leveling out. Prednisone is a mess, isn't it. Love/hate relationship and totally out of my control. It does its think and makes me do what it does. So, I'm learning to do like you and allow myself to be the hyper bunny, but know there's a crash around the corner. then, it's one day active, one or two days resting or less active.

Enjoy and Blessings your way.
elizabeth

I understand and feel for you. My anemia cannot be corrected and the b12 But this is very good for you so keep taking it. I have just come home this afternoon from being in the hospital for three days. Pain heart bad I thought it was a heart attack. 911 works. After a few tests and the pain (horrible) left me after about15 hours later. Stress test was normal so was another test. Appears it could very well be from the anemia which is so low that if not enough oxygen gets to the heart from what is in the blood this can very well happen. Who knows? "The Shadow knows." Peach over and out.

Good information to know Sue. Thank you Peach