1. < Kidney & Bladder

Can Low Blood Sugar and Too Much Water Decrease EFGR?

Posted by sultanvr @sultanvr, Jan 29 4:00pm

3 months ago spouse's EFGR was 35. Test taken yesterday indicates it decreased to 29.

He is diabetic/high blood pressures.

He has been working on stabilizing his blood sugar. It can have a swing up to 200 and then severe drops where he is starting to crash at 60.

The nephro has prescribed additional BP meds in addition to the Lisinopril. She added 5 mg Amlodipine which didn't make a difference and then she added another 5 mg. Which still does not seem to make a difference.

He drinks at least 64 oz of water daily.

He does have a low urine stream and I believe the doctor had shared that he had an enlarge prostrate.

Now to my questions:
1. Can he be drinking too much water? The doctor had shared, stay hydrated!
2. Can the sugar crashes be as harmful as high blood sugar? His glucose number that was part of the same test was 47.
3.) Can the reduced flow of urine case the EFGR to drop?
4.) Anybody have experience with Amlodipine and not working?

We have an appt on 2/3 with the Nephrologist, which I intend to ask all these questions to. But was hoping someone here might have experiences/knowledge to share.

***Sorry for the long post. I wanted to give a background.

Any ideas/information would be very helpful.

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kathymiami | @kathymiami | Feb 16 7:33am
In reply to @sultanvr "Hi Ginger, Unfortunately the Nephrologist was behind in her appointments and did not have time to..." + (show)
@sultanvr

Hi Ginger,

Unfortunately the Nephrologist was behind in her appointments and did not have time to discuss or answer our questions. I had all my charts and a list of questions. It was very disappointing. This was the second visit that was not unlike the first and I am feeling like we aren't getting the care that we need. I've been reading all the replies here and it sounds like others doctors are more helpful. Trust me, it isn't for lack of the questions and concerns that we bring to her.

Had a visit with the regular doctor 2 days later and they were not helpful. They telling us to ask the Nephrologist.

We can't see an Endocrinologist until July 21st.

I really felt like the message was "You got yourself to this place, now go home and wait to die". I know that sounds extreme. But it was very disappointing.

My husbands EFGR in October was 35. In January it was 29 (which we were surprised at as his numbers/glucose/blood pressure readings had improved). A week later when retested it was 32. I felt some encouragement. As all his numbers within that weeks time improved. Not just the one test.

As shared, the doctor did not have time for us and did not seem to share the enthusiasm we had at the improvement in numbers.

Needless to say, I am considering another doctor. Problem with that, I have been calling around and the soonest appointments are available is late May.

Feel like we are on our own.

Thank you for the ear/eyes.

Jump to this post

Hmm.. my list of questions grows every other day and wondering if I'll run into the same problem with my Neph visit this week.

What if you send a fax or email with all your questions, keeping each question short and factual as possible?
Then it should go into your medical record and Doc should be thinking of covering his Axx.

Years ago when a specialist told me he would not give me a referral, I said nicely and quietly - OK, would you make sure it goes into my medical record that I requested the test. He immediately yelled at me, but agreed to the test. I then switched doctors.

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Feb 16 5:16pm
In reply to @sultanvr "Hi Ginger, Unfortunately the Nephrologist was behind in her appointments and did not have time to..." + (show)
@sultanvr

Hi Ginger,

Unfortunately the Nephrologist was behind in her appointments and did not have time to discuss or answer our questions. I had all my charts and a list of questions. It was very disappointing. This was the second visit that was not unlike the first and I am feeling like we aren't getting the care that we need. I've been reading all the replies here and it sounds like others doctors are more helpful. Trust me, it isn't for lack of the questions and concerns that we bring to her.

Had a visit with the regular doctor 2 days later and they were not helpful. They telling us to ask the Nephrologist.

We can't see an Endocrinologist until July 21st.

I really felt like the message was "You got yourself to this place, now go home and wait to die". I know that sounds extreme. But it was very disappointing.

My husbands EFGR in October was 35. In January it was 29 (which we were surprised at as his numbers/glucose/blood pressure readings had improved). A week later when retested it was 32. I felt some encouragement. As all his numbers within that weeks time improved. Not just the one test.

As shared, the doctor did not have time for us and did not seem to share the enthusiasm we had at the improvement in numbers.

Needless to say, I am considering another doctor. Problem with that, I have been calling around and the soonest appointments are available is late May.

Feel like we are on our own.

Thank you for the ear/eyes.

Jump to this post

@sultanvr Dang, that is a terrible situation to be in. It's definitely not your fault she was behind! And you do deserve to have the care you need. Can you look into switching to a different doctor in the same nephrology practice? I had to do that when I felt the first one wasn't giving my case the attention it deserved. I was very hesitant to do it, not sure if it would be received well. But it worked out great, and the nephrologist I have now is a really good fit for me. Or perhaps going to the practice manager and voicing your concerns?

Seeing your husband's numbers improve must have been a nice thing to see. Remember, our level of hydration, what we have been eating, stress level even, all can play a role in those numbers.

If you don't change, when is your next appointment with current doctor? How much time difference would that be? Something to consider. And if you decide to change, ask to be placed on a cancellation list to get in sooner. Also mention you are under current treatment and would like to get in as soon as possible. There might be some magic statement in there that you say, and puts you higher on the list!
Ginger

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