I’m confused and pissed off. I just figured out ON MY OWN that I have chronic kidney disease, moderate to severe. Those words have never been said to me by a medical professional. What the fuck? Really! (please see following post, “Dr. Google.”)
A few weeks ago, I saw a pharmacotherapist who went over my medications for possible side effects or interactions. She noted that my GFR is pretty low so drugs aren’t being cleared and levels can build. So, okay. Low GFR means we really have to make some adjustments. This finding in the report caused my mental health provider to discuss the need to decrease meds based on my GFR.
I typed medical transcription for a decade, including lab results, but I didn’t know what, specifically, a GFR level is and its significance. Googled it. Read four or five different sources, and come away with the realization that I have moderate-to-severe kidney disease. What the fuck? Should i be doing anything besides drinking lots of water? I’ve had high blood pressure since my freshman year of college, nearly 40 years, and i suspect that’s the cause but that’s merely the conjecture of a layman.
There is already a follow up scheduled with my primary care provider to look at the next lab results. My calcium was high; that was the reason for the last blood draw. I’ll bring it up then. Perhaps, as low as my GFR is, they assume I’m aware. I’m just shaking my head. Can’t believe it.
Many of the symptoms of chronic kidney disease are ones that I’ve just figured are from fibromyalgia. Not that it makes a big difference, unless there are things I can do to improve my renal function which may improve fatigue, confusion, etc. in which case it’s a really big deal! Otherwise, it’s another strand as I try to unravel and understand my whole mind, body, and soul health.
Reading up on which foods to include in order to improve renal health as well as those to avoid. Very interesting.
SurvivingSara 