Question:
In article <3D10F085.C55EF…@hunterlink.net.au>, – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -m.jame…@hunterlink.net.au wrote: > REP wrote: > > In article <3D0CD5D8.5C15A…@hunterlink.net.au>, > > m.jame…@hunterlink.net.au wrote: > > > REP wrote: > [...] > > I’ve given this careful thought, and have decided to go with my death = no > > pain theory; that and The Big Cocktail Party afterlife theory. Death is > > also my backup retirement plan. > I like the theory in one of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld books where he says that > the afterlife is essentially whatever you think it will be while you’re alive. He > has some snags so it isn’t as simple as being able to be a complete bastard while > alive and still go to ‘heaven’ just because you want to, but basically all Vikings > go to Valhalla, all atheists melt into the ether etc. Sounds okay. Sounds like > you’ll have a massive cocktail party with no rude gatecrashers and no hangover. > Hey, I’ll be in that 
Interesting, since my AfterLife Cocktail Bash involves several deceased writers. What they imagined their afterlife as something other than being pestered by fans? > > Nothing to indicate why I’m itchy, except perhaps the slightly elevated calcium. > I do get itchy with high calcium, but yours isn’t "high" IIRC, it’s a bit up. I > guess if you are, or have become, really sensitive to calcium that could be it. Did > you say you get itchy eyes? I get a sort of grittiness in my eyes, and itchiness > there, when my calcium is "too high".
My eye is irritated due to a scleral cyst, which is just as disgusting as it sounds. My serum calcium isn’t that high, but my urinary calcium is. I don’t seem to be having allergies, but who knows? I take the hydroxyzine and pass out, and it doesn’t bother me anymore. > …which might actually make any nerve problems worse if it compressed
something. Yup. > Could it be compression in the shoulder, under the collarbone maybe, but usually > only feeling like it’s lower down? You know how nerve effects can feel like they’re > at a distance from the actual problem?
I’ve had an EMG, which showed damage to my median and ulnar nerves. I can feel the tendon slip of the shoulder notch and I can feel it constricting my thumb. I think it’s mostly in the arm, from the way I was working (constricted space, different height surface for mousing and writing; and having to type very, very fast). > > swelling, but I can still touch my thumb and forefinger together – just not > > the thumb and little finger. You have my sympathy. Have you tried physical > > therapy? It hasn’t cured me but I’ve gotten a lot of mobility back. It > > hurts like hell so it must be good for me. > I tried squeezing squash balls and other things for a while but it made little/no > difference.
I mean the kind of physical therapy where a very strong person does deep tissue massage and mobilization and all sorts of painful things. It has made a differene for me, and while your injury is much more severe, I think it might do you some good. True, I’ve been going twice a week for almost a year (and didn’t work from August-November last year and have been off work since the end of March this year, so I haven’t been reinjuring lately) but I’ve gone from thinking it was a waste of time to thinking it’s done some good. As above, I still use it as much as possible, only not using it when I > can feel that it simply can’t sustain the weight or leverage asked. I think I’ve > picked up a tiny bit of strength in the last two years.
I hope it continues to improve. Sounds horrible. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > From my extensive research (ie, documentaries on TV), cats are a threat to > > native Australian fauna. > Yes, I really like cats but ferals are a blight on the natives. I’m in the middle > of a city and people think it’s okay to let them run around here because we aren’t > in the bush. The problem is that cats don’t necessarily care very much where we > want them to be and will happily abscond once they’ve become alley-cats. The other > thing is that they tend to grow big and strong as alley-cats where food is > plentiful, but they also have enough competition that they learn to fight really > well, so when they wander off to the bush they’re Godzilla-kittys. And the > generations that have been breeding in the bush are tough as nails because it’s > hard out there, so when the two interbreed you get amazingly strong, wily, > streetfighting, resilient moggies which could probably bring down wild pigs > (although that’s not such a bad thing…).
That would make a hell of a documentary! Fluffy versus the wild pig. > > Perhaps they merely realized they were doing their > > cat and the native wildlife no favors by letting her roam, and have made > > her into a housecat. That’s what I hope. > That’d be nice, but I suspect not, they just didn’t seem ‘have the cat stay inside’ > type people. I like to think she’s now queen-cat of an urban park.
Or maybe she was taken in by someone who knows how to take care of a cat. Or taking down wild pigs. > > Thought about getting one of your own? Tons of studies show that a > > companion animal is a good thing for people with living with chronic > > illnesses… Again, this message brought to you by The Cat Propaganda > > League. > Yes, thought about it. I do have two goldfish and dozens of pot-plants and birds > chirping in the trees outside but they’re not quite the same. But I don’t really > want to have a pet that needs attention more than once every two days because I’m > still wary of being whisked off to hospital and not being able to get someone to > check on it.
That’s understandable; I’m trying to avoid serious illness until the cats have died of old age. That said, a pair of cats can be left on their own for a while with a good supply of food and water. I moved to California from the Midwest, and before I moved I flew out here often, and left the beasts on their own while I was gone, and they were all fine when I returned. That’s one of the nice things about cats – they don’t need constant attention, as dogs do. Of course you know your own situation best, and I am merely trying to give you happy anecdotal stories, not change your mind.
Response:
REP wrote: > In article <3D0CD5D8.5C15A…@hunterlink.net.au>, > m.jame…@hunterlink.net.au wrote: > > REP wrote:
[...] > I’ve given this careful thought, and have decided to go with my death = no > pain theory; that and The Big Cocktail Party afterlife theory. Death is > also my backup retirement plan.
I like the theory in one of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld books where he says that the afterlife is essentially whatever you think it will be while you’re alive. He has some snags so it isn’t as simple as being able to be a complete bastard while alive and still go to ‘heaven’ just because you want to, but basically all Vikings go to Valhalla, all atheists melt into the ether etc. Sounds okay. Sounds like you’ll have a massive cocktail party with no rude gatecrashers and no hangover. Hey, I’ll be in that – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > > Yes, and until I became sick, mine as was always low enough that I was > > > legally dead in some states. > > Wow, that’s low. > > > It’s supposed to be good, despite the > > > headaches, fatigue, cold hands and feet, and near-fainting when standing… > I got some more of my labs back: > creatinine: .5 (low, meaning I’m still overclearing) > potassium 4.4 (normal) > phosphorus: 76 (normal) > calcium: 11.4 (slightly high) > Total cholesterol 148 > HDL 46 ("good" cholesterol) > LDL 59 ("bad" cholesterol) > trigylcerides 236 – when the kidney disease was initially diagnosed, it was > 1,470, which is very, very bad. My current level is very good. > Not bad for tests I didn’t study for. I don’t take any cholesterol-lowering > drugs, either. > Nothing to indicate why I’m itchy, except perhaps the slightly elevated calcium.
I do get itchy with high calcium, but yours isn’t "high" IIRC, it’s a bit up. I guess if you are, or have become, really sensitive to calcium that could be it. Did you say you get itchy eyes? I get a sort of grittiness in my eyes, and itchiness there, when my calcium is "too high". > > Thankfully mine’s in my dialysis hand and that’s the non-dominant one, of > course. > > I’ve had two carpal tunnel releases and one ulnar nerve release but no luck. > I’m such a spectacularly bad surgical risk that surgery is not being > considered, since as a diabetic I would develop even more scar tissue.
…which might actually make any nerve problems worse if it compressed something. > The > ulnar nerve so far doesn’t look compressed, knock wood. It just feels like > I’ve been whacked on the funnybone all the time
Eww, what an odd feeling. > >It only affects the hand – is it your whole arm, forearm or just hand? > My entire lower arm, and sometimes the whole arm up to the shoulder.
Could it be compression in the shoulder, under the collarbone maybe, but usually only feeling like it’s lower down? You know how nerve effects can feel like they’re at a distance from the actual problem? > It seems I’ve > > lost about 30% of strength, completely lost oppositional ability between > thumb and > > forefinger, lost the sensitivity of surface nerves, have skin discolouration, > > puffines, the nails grow much faster on that hand than the other. It > feels like I’m > > constantly wearing a very heavy too-tight glove. Completely weird and > > not-understood so far. I take tegretol to block the nerve pain. > I’ll stop complaining about mine – not nearly that bad. I’ve lost some grip > strength, and often have to go back and fill in the right handed letters > and spacebands when typing,
I’m pretty much a one-handed typist. I can use the little finger of my left hand for the shift key and the index finger for a few keys, but that’s all. I can’t move the others reliably or accurately enough. > often drop things, but nothing as bad as what > you’re dealing with.
I don’t drop things (much, he said hopefully) and I persist with using the hand as much as I can. I’m just very careful looking at it as I use it so I know if it’s weakening its grip, and when I pick things up with it I do the same and check that everything’s secure and balanced before proceeding. Sometimes I arrange the fingers on that hand with my other hand, to make sure they’re okay. > Well, I do the have ‘cartoon hand’ feeling from the
I haven’t heard that before, that’s an excellent desrioption. > swelling, but I can still touch my thumb and forefinger together – just not > the thumb and little finger. You have my sympathy. Have you tried physical > therapy? It hasn’t cured me but I’ve gotten a lot of mobility back. It > hurts like hell so it must be good for me.
I tried squeezing squash balls and other things for a while but it made little/no difference. As above, I still use it as much as possible, only not using it when I can feel that it simply can’t sustain the weight or leverage asked. I think I’ve picked up a tiny bit of strength in the last two years. > > > normal. Does this sound like it may be the beginning of secondary > > > hemochromatosis, > > Wouldn’t have a clue. > What? You’ve travelled nearly the whole spectrum of kidney disease and you > don’t know everything? Sir, I am shocked!
Hehe, ther’s a heckuvalot to this nephrology biz. > > > and should I take more B complex? > > Anyway, after about a year of this she stopped showing up and I didn’t see her > > outside any more. The original owners are still there but I haven’t asked what > > happened, preferring to believe she’s run off to greener pastures than > what they > > might tell me is an unpleasant truth. > From my extensive research (ie, documentaries on TV), cats are a threat to > native Australian fauna.
Yes, I really like cats but ferals are a blight on the natives. I’m in the middle of a city and people think it’s okay to let them run around here because we aren’t in the bush. The problem is that cats don’t necessarily care very much where we want them to be and will happily abscond once they’ve become alley-cats. The other thing is that they tend to grow big and strong as alley-cats where food is plentiful, but they also have enough competition that they learn to fight really well, so when they wander off to the bush they’re Godzilla-kittys. And the generations that have been breeding in the bush are tough as nails because it’s hard out there, so when the two interbreed you get amazingly strong, wily, streetfighting, resilient moggies which could probably bring down wild pigs (although that’s not such a bad thing…). > Perhaps they merely realized they were doing their > cat and the native wildlife no favors by letting her roam, and have made > her into a housecat. That’s what I hope.
That’d be nice, but I suspect not, they just didn’t seem ‘have the cat stay inside’ type people. I like to think she’s now queen-cat of an urban park. > Thought about getting one of your own? Tons of studies show that a > companion animal is a good thing for people with living with chronic > illnesses… Again, this message brought to you by The Cat Propaganda > League.
Yes, thought about it. I do have two goldfish and dozens of pot-plants and birds chirping in the trees outside but they’re not quite the same. But I don’t really want to have a pet that needs attention more than once every two days because I’m still wary of being whisked off to hospital and not being able to get someone to check on it. Mick. — "You are the music while the music lasts" – Antonio Damasio (after TS Eliot).
Response:
In article <3D0CD5D8.5C15A…@hunterlink.net.au>, – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -m.jame…@hunterlink.net.au wrote: > REP wrote: > > I would expect less pain with death. > I don’t have enough faith in a lack of afterlife for that. I’ve often been involved > in discussion of suicide with people who were considering it, and I’ve considered > it at some length myself. One of the common things suicidal people say is, "Being > dead couldn’t be any worse than this" and the realistic answer is, "Says who?". > It’s true – I might top myself and effectively wake up in a worse situation, > there’s no guarantees. So my comments aren’t just flippant – if I was really what > we commonly refer to as dead and in some sort of hell, would I
necessarily know it? > There’s no real reason to assume that being dead actually means feeling no pain, it > just looks like that to those who think they’re alive.
I’ve given this careful thought, and have decided to go with my death = no pain theory; that and The Big Cocktail Party afterlife theory. Death is also my backup retirement plan. > > Yes, and until I became sick, mine as was always low enough that I was > > legally dead in some states. > Wow, that’s low. > > It’s supposed to be good, despite the > > headaches, fatigue, cold hands and feet, and near-fainting when standing…
I got some more of my labs back: creatinine: .5 (low, meaning I’m still overclearing) potassium 4.4 (normal) phosphorus: 76 (normal) calcium: 11.4 (slightly high) Total cholesterol 148 HDL 46 ("good" cholesterol) LDL 59 ("bad" cholesterol) trigylcerides 236 – when the kidney disease was initially diagnosed, it was 1,470, which is very, very bad. My current level is very good. Not bad for tests I didn’t study for. I don’t take any cholesterol-lowering drugs, either. Nothing to indicate why I’m itchy, except perhaps the slightly elevated calcium. > Thankfully mine’s in my dialysis hand and that’s the non-dominant one, of course. > I’ve had two carpal tunnel releases and one ulnar nerve release but no luck.
I’m such a spectacularly bad surgical risk that surgery is not being considered, since as a diabetic I would develop even more scar tissue. The ulnar nerve so far doesn’t look compressed, knock wood. It just feels like I’ve been whacked on the funnybone all the time >It only affects the hand – is it your whole arm, forearm or just hand?
My entire lower arm, and sometimes the whole arm up to the shoulder. It seems I’ve > lost about 30% of strength, completely lost oppositional ability between thumb and > forefinger, lost the sensitivity of surface nerves, have skin discolouration, > puffines, the nails grow much faster on that hand than the other. It feels like I’m > constantly wearing a very heavy too-tight glove. Completely weird and > not-understood so far. I take tegretol to block the nerve pain.
I’ll stop complaining about mine – not nearly that bad. I’ve lost some grip strength, and often have to go back and fill in the right handed letters and spacebands when typing, often drop things, but nothing as bad as what you’re dealing with. Well, I do the have ‘cartoon hand’ feeling from the swelling, but I can still touch my thumb and forefinger together – just not the thumb and little finger. You have my sympathy. Have you tried physical therapy? It hasn’t cured me but I’ve gotten a lot of mobility back. It hurts like hell so it must be good for me. > > normal. Does this sound like it may be the beginning of secondary > > hemochromatosis, > Wouldn’t have a clue.
What? You’ve travelled nearly the whole spectrum of kidney disease and you don’t know everything? Sir, I am shocked! > > and should I take more B complex? > Anyway, after about a year of this she stopped showing up and I didn’t see her > outside any more. The original owners are still there but I haven’t asked what > happened, preferring to believe she’s run off to greener pastures than what they > might tell me is an unpleasant truth.
From my extensive research (ie, documentaries on TV), cats are a threat to native Australian fauna. Perhaps they merely realized they were doing their cat and the native wildlife no favors by letting her roam, and have made her into a housecat. That’s what I hope. Thought about getting one of your own? Tons of studies show that a companion animal is a good thing for people with living with chronic illnesses… Again, this message brought to you by The Cat Propaganda League.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -REP wrote: > In article <3D0B7010.7FABE…@hunterlink.net.au>, > m.jame…@hunterlink.net.au wrote: > > REP wrote: > > > I went to see my GP, whom I love (in a completely acceptable professional > > > sense). My blood pressure has returned to normal (for me); 90/40. He > > > couldn’t find my pulse, and added that the stiffness in my joints may be > > > rigor mortis. > > Yes, that’s the solution to everything. What’s wrong with me? Oh, I’m > dead, well > > that explains it all… > I would expect less pain with death.
I don’t have enough faith in a lack of afterlife for that. I’ve often been involved in discussion of suicide with people who were considering it, and I’ve considered it at some length myself. One of the common things suicidal people say is, "Being dead couldn’t be any worse than this" and the realistic answer is, "Says who?". It’s true – I might top myself and effectively wake up in a worse situation, there’s no guarantees. So my comments aren’t just flippant – if I was really what we commonly refer to as dead and in some sort of hell, would I necessarily know it? There’s no real reason to assume that being dead actually means feeling no pain, it just looks like that to those who think they’re alive. > > On the other hand, sometimes it’s nice to do my blood pressure and *prove* I’m > > still ticking away to some extent. > > > Once again, I’ve been told to increase my salt intake! He > > > thinks my BP should be in the low three digits. > > It does seem low, compared to averages. Mine’s around 130/80 pred-dialysis and > > 90/50 post-dialysis, which they’re happy with but wouldn’t mind it being > a little > > bit higher post. I prefer to be a little dry than at all overloaded so > I’m keeping > > it as is. Does your family have a history of low blood pressure? > Yes, and until I became sick, mine as was always low enough that I was > legally dead in some states.
Wow, that’s low. > It’s supposed to be good, despite the > headaches, fatigue, cold hands and feet, and near-fainting when standing…
I’ve had mine down to about 50/35 after dialysis when very dry, and if I start to get too dry I get headache, cramp, dizziness. I’ve seen quite a few dialysis patients go unconscious on the machine because of losing too much fluid. > > I’ve got one major unexplained thingumajig, severe nerve damage in my > left hand, > > which these days I don’t really mention to my GP or nephrologist because > I know > > they’ve done everything they can. (They ask if there’s any change, and I’ll > > volunteer if that’s so anyway, but if not it’s essentially irrelevant). > How odd. I have ulnar neuropathy in my right hand, along with other > injuries. The cause is known: my job, which I am currently not allowed to > do – and that is fine with me. Since it’s a work-caused injury, it’s > regularly prodded, but there is little hope I’ll recover ful use of my > dominant arm.
Thankfully mine’s in my dialysis hand and that’s the non-dominant one, of course. I’ve had two carpal tunnel releases and one ulnar nerve release but no luck. It only affects the hand – is it your whole arm, forearm or just hand? It seems I’ve lost about 30% of strength, completely lost oppositional ability between thumb and forefinger, lost the sensitivity of surface nerves, have skin discolouration, puffines, the nails grow much faster on that hand than the other. It feels like I’m constantly wearing a very heavy too-tight glove. Completely weird and not-understood so far. I take tegretol to block the nerve pain. > > You’ve got to watch out for that. Your reasoning isn’t unreasonable but > they’re > > better judges of these things than us, as a general rule and on the face of it > > anyway. I mean, something apparently untroubling can be *very* troubling > a month > > later and you’d be kicking yourself for not mentioning it when it could > have been > > halted. > I just don’t want to become one of those people who bother their doctor > over nothing!
Hey, live a little. Tell the doc that this is a concern and to let you know anytime he (?she?) thinks you’re being overworried about something, then you’ll get a better sense of appropriate limits. > I’ve had the itching before, and no cause was found – but it > didn’t happen with the sore throat and other symptoms (which may be strep > but probably isn’t). > Which reminds me of something I’ve been wondering about but fear it may > reek of hypochondria: my hemoglobin is very slighty high (15.7; normal is > 15) and my iron store (ferritin?) is low while my circulating iron is > normal. Does this sound like it may be the beginning of secondary > hemochromatosis,
Wouldn’t have a clue. > and should I take more B complex?
Wouldn’t have a clue. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I currently take a > stress B, folic acid and chromium picolinate. The iron levels were done a > little over a year ago to see whsat could be causing the rash and hair loss > (hair loss is now deemed a side effect of my heavy proteinuria). > > > He’s ordered 15 blood tests for me. > > Well, there you go, it sounds like he thought it was worth checking you > out pretty > > thoroughly. > I think they are just collecting my AB- blood for some nefarious reason. I > have this sort of panel every month or so. > > > > > Why does this bother you so much that you need to take such a tone? > > > > Seemed sort of angry to me. Kind of scolding. > > > If I’d been asking about my cats, I would’ve deserved it. > > You have cats? I had a visiting cat for a while but she hasn’t showed up > for more > > than a month 
> Yes, I have five cats, ranging in age from 17 years to 8 months. I hope > your visiting cat returns soon, and when she does, you might consider > bringing her inside. This message brought to you by the Cat Propaganda > League.
Well, it’s an odd sort of story… I came home one night after dialysis, about 11pm, and there was this beautiful black cat wandering around outside my flat. She was at that intermediate stage between an obvious kitten and an obvious adult and was *very* well-kept and healthy, with a collar, bell and ID tag. She definitely shouldn’t have been out wandering around. It was too late to ring people so I took her in for the night. I didn’t want to leave her in my loungeroom in case she soiled the place so the only thing I could do was shut her in the bathroom, which she wasn’t happy about for ages, lots of meowing, but eventually she settled. In the morning I rang the phone number on her ID tag and got an answering machine with a girl’s voice on it, sounded like she was about 12, saying something like, "You’ve got Jenni and Mandy’s phone, please leave a message". I left a message saying I’d found a lovely black cat whose tag said her name was ‘Wicca’ and could they ring me to get her back. A little while later a woman rang, then she came over and got Wicca – she only lived in the next block. After that Wicca figured my place was her second home and would be outside every few days. I’d let her come in if she wanted and let her out if she meowed at the door. I have a little milk-hatch thing next to my back door so eventually I just left that open and showed her how to jump through so after that she just came and went as she liked. Sometimes she’d come in every day for a week, sometimes I would only see her two or three times in a week. I started feeding her if she wanted and sometimes she’d sleep for a while and sometimes sleep overnight on my lounge – actually, she preferred the computer chair and sometimes I’d have to push her off. But she was still not ‘my’ cat; she still went back to her original owners all the time, and I’m pretty sure she visited others in the area too. She kept on removing the collar, must have done so five times in three months – the collar would be found and the owner’s phone number was on it so they’d get it back and put it back on her. She must have finally managed to lose it somewhere it couldn’t be found or it was found by someone who didn’t ring. Anyway, after about a year of this she stopped showing up and I didn’t see her outside any more. The original owners are still there but I haven’t asked what happened, preferring to believe she’s run off to greener pastures than what they might tell me is an unpleasant truth. Mick. — "You are the music while the music lasts" – Antonio Damasio (after TS Eliot).
Response:
On Tue, 11 Jun 2002 03:49:35 GMT, r…@inanna.com (REP) wrote – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I have the feeling this is just a weird cold, so I’m not bothering my >doctors right away, but for the last few days I’ve itched all over without >a rash, and itchiness isn’t relieved by antihistimines or topical >applications. I also have a sore, itchy throat; feel a little dizzy; >sleeping poorly and am very queasy. Also, the edema in my eyelids is >terrible despite taking 80mg Lasix daily (my lower legs are much better, >though). >Not using any new lotions, detergents, fabric softeners, etc and no change >in diet. >I have nephrotic syndrome. Last time my creatinine was checked a few months >ago, I was still overclearing so my serum creatinine was .5 (low and good) >so I’m only a little freaked out. The symtpoms of uremia include some of >what I’m experiencing, but if it were uremia, it’d be a lot more severe … >right?
Itching can be caused by many things, but it IS a side effect of high phosphorus levels in the body. which is a sign of renal failure. My symptoms began with loss of appetite, constantly upset stomach and lack of sleep. I wrote it off as a intestinal virus. Next came difficulty breathing and nose bleeds. I figured it was just sinus and/or upper respiratory infection. Finally extreme fatigue, weight loss and being constantly cold set in. I figured it was just side effects from all the above. (Can you say DENIAL?) It took me passing out at work to get me to the hospital. By then it was way too late. Hemoglobin was 4.7, creatnine was 13.2, etc..etc…. I’m 34 yrs old, and been on hemo-dialysis for 2 yrs now. Every few months something else in my body begins to fail. Eyes, heart, liver trouble..etc.. My life is basically going to dialysis so I can live long enough to come back for the next treatment. I would give anything in this world if I could go back and "bother" my doctor instead of diagnosing myself. I wish you luck my friend. Iceman
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -REP wrote: > In article <3D0A42C0.B4A51…@hunterlink.net.au>, > m.jame…@hunterlink.net.au wrote: > > REP wrote: > > > In article <3d05d412$0$31824$afc38…@news.optusnet.com.au>, "Judanne > > > Simpson" <juda…@optusnet.com.au> wrote: > > > > "REP" <r…@inanna.com> wrote in message > > > > news:rep-ya02408000R1006022049350001@news.sf.sbcglobal.net… > [my symptoms] > > > > > I have nephrotic syndrome. Last time my creatinine was checked a few > > > > months > > > > > ago, I was still overclearing so my serum creatinine was .5 (low > and good) > > > > > so I’m only a little freaked out. The symtpoms of uremia include some of > > > > > what I’m experiencing, but if it were uremia, it’d be a lot more severe > > > > … > > > > > right? > > > > Why do you need to be told this? > > What an odd question. How long is a piece of string? What’s the sound of > one hand > > clapping? > Oooh! Oooh! I know the answer to that one! Slap the asker in the face.
Hehe, thus demonstrating that the answer is "Some questions are just too silly to ask". – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > Itchiness can occur for lots of reasons. I get itchy if my phosphates are > high, > > and also if I’m fluid overloaded, and also if my pancreas is inflamed. Nausea > > likewise could indicate a lot of things. Boyoboy, same with poor sleep, > > dizziness, sore throat… I can’t offer any opinion on what they all > might amount > > to. Seriously, I would consider that many symptoms at once well worth > enquiring > > about. I try not to bother my docs but my nephrologist says "You have kidney > > failure, that’s about as serious as chronic illness gets, ring me if > *anything* > > is out of the ordinary". I still don’t – I more often just ring my GP, > who will > > tell me to ring my nephrologist if necessary. > I went to see my GP, whom I love (in a completely acceptable professional > sense). My blood pressure has returned to normal (for me); 90/40. He > couldn’t find my pulse, and added that the stiffness in my joints may be > rigor mortis.
Yes, that’s the solution to everything. What’s wrong with me? Oh, I’m dead, well that explains it all… On the other hand, sometimes it’s nice to do my blood pressure and *prove* I’m still ticking away to some extent. > Once again, I’ve been told to increase my salt intake! He > thinks my BP should be in the low three digits.
It does seem low, compared to averages. Mine’s around 130/80 pred-dialysis and 90/50 post-dialysis, which they’re happy with but wouldn’t mind it being a little bit higher post. I prefer to be a little dry than at all overloaded so I’m keeping it as is. Does your family have a history of low blood pressure? > > Consider also that at least 30% of GP’s appointments end up being non-medical, > > that is people who basically just want a chat. Another 30% are people who are > > oversensitive to health problems, that is going to the GP for a sniffle or a > > paper cut. Most GPs I’ve seen rather like me as a patient because I have what > > they refer to as ‘real problems’ and catching up with my progress is more > ‘real > > medicine’ than most of their day. They didn’t go to uni all those years > to natter > > with hypochondriacs and apply band-aids. > I have so many things that no explanation can be found for – a facial rash, > inflammation in my small intestine, an elevated ESR, white counts that look > like lymphoma until they return to normal a few weeks later – that I’m > afraid one day he’ll hide under his desk when he sees me coming.
I’ve got one major unexplained thingumajig, severe nerve damage in my left hand, which these days I don’t really mention to my GP or nephrologist because I know they’ve done everything they can. (They ask if there’s any change, and I’ll volunteer if that’s so anyway, but if not it’s essentially irrelevant). > This is > one reason I sometimes ask around before I go charging the doctors – I have > a lot of odd things wrong that can’t be explained but don’t seem to be > killing me, and sometimes I’ll let a serious symptom go for a while because > I didn’t realize it could be significant.
You’ve got to watch out for that. Your reasoning isn’t unreasonable but they’re better judges of these things than us, as a general rule and on the face of it anyway. I mean, something apparently untroubling can be *very* troubling a month later and you’d be kicking yourself for not mentioning it when it could have been halted. > > Anyway, you are managing a bothersome illness to start with, anything which > > bothers you much at all is worth taking seriously. You know this isn’t a paper > > cut or a sniffle and it’s unexplained. You haven’t had bloods done for a few > > months so there could be important changes – see the doctor, ask about getting > > your blood checked. > He’s ordered 15 blood tests for me.
Well, there you go, it sounds like he thought it was worth checking you out pretty thoroughly. > Lucky for me, the lab techs know me and > do an excellent job of sticking me. I’m usually so good they give me a > sticker when I’m done. Just because I’m 37 doesn’t mean I don’t like the > odd sticker!
I sometimes ask if I can have a jelly bean if they’ve got those > > > Why does this bother you so much that you need to take such a tone? > > Seemed sort of angry to me. Kind of scolding. > If I’d been asking about my cats, I would’ve deserved it.
You have cats? I had a visiting cat for a while but she hasn’t showed up for more than a month Mick. — "You are the music while the music lasts" – Antonio Damasio (after TS Eliot).
Response:
In article <3D0B7010.7FABE…@hunterlink.net.au>, m.jame…@hunterlink.net.au wrote: > REP wrote: > > I went to see my GP, whom I love (in a completely acceptable professional > > sense). My blood pressure has returned to normal (for me); 90/40. He > > couldn’t find my pulse, and added that the stiffness in my joints may be > > rigor mortis. > Yes, that’s the solution to everything. What’s wrong with me? Oh, I’m dead, well > that explains it all…
I would expect less pain with death. > On the other hand, sometimes it’s nice to do my blood pressure and *prove* I’m > still ticking away to some extent. > > Once again, I’ve been told to increase my salt intake! He > > thinks my BP should be in the low three digits. > It does seem low, compared to averages. Mine’s around 130/80 pred-dialysis and > 90/50 post-dialysis, which they’re happy with but wouldn’t mind it being a little > bit higher post. I prefer to be a little dry than at all overloaded so I’m keeping > it as is. Does your family have a history of low blood pressure?
Yes, and until I became sick, mine as was always low enough that I was legally dead in some states. It’s supposed to be good, despite the headaches, fatigue, cold hands and feet, and near-fainting when standing… > I’ve got one major unexplained thingumajig, severe nerve damage in my left hand, > which these days I don’t really mention to my GP or nephrologist because I know > they’ve done everything they can. (They ask if there’s any change, and I’ll > volunteer if that’s so anyway, but if not it’s essentially irrelevant).
How odd. I have ulnar neuropathy in my right hand, along with other injuries. The cause is known: my job, which I am currently not allowed to do – and that is fine with me. Since it’s a work-caused injury, it’s regularly prodded, but there is little hope I’ll recover ful use of my dominant arm. > You’ve got to watch out for that. Your reasoning isn’t unreasonable but they’re > better judges of these things than us, as a general rule and on the face of it > anyway. I mean, something apparently untroubling can be *very* troubling a month > later and you’d be kicking yourself for not mentioning it when it could have been > halted.
I just don’t want to become one of those people who bother their doctor over nothing! I’ve had the itching before, and no cause was found – but it didn’t happen with the sore throat and other symptoms (which may be strep but probably isn’t). Which reminds me of something I’ve been wondering about but fear it may reek of hypochondria: my hemoglobin is very slighty high (15.7; normal is 15) and my iron store (ferritin?) is low while my circulating iron is normal. Does this sound like it may be the beginning of secondary hemochromatosis, and should I take more B complex? I currently take a stress B, folic acid and chromium picolinate. The iron levels were done a little over a year ago to see whsat could be causing the rash and hair loss (hair loss is now deemed a side effect of my heavy proteinuria). > > He’s ordered 15 blood tests for me. > Well, there you go, it sounds like he thought it was worth checking you out pretty > thoroughly.
I think they are just collecting my AB- blood for some nefarious reason. I have this sort of panel every month or so. > > > > Why does this bother you so much that you need to take such a tone? > > > Seemed sort of angry to me. Kind of scolding. > > If I’d been asking about my cats, I would’ve deserved it. > You have cats? I had a visiting cat for a while but she hasn’t showed up for more > than a month
Yes, I have five cats, ranging in age from 17 years to 8 months. I hope your visiting cat returns soon, and when she does, you might consider bringing her inside. This message brought to you by the Cat Propaganda League.
Response:
In article <3D0A42C0.B4A51…@hunterlink.net.au>, m.jame…@hunterlink.net.au wrote: > REP wrote: > > In article <3d05d412$0$31824$afc38…@news.optusnet.com.au>, "Judanne > > Simpson" <juda…@optusnet.com.au> wrote: > > > "REP" <r…@inanna.com> wrote in message > > > news:rep-ya02408000R1006022049350001@news.sf.sbcglobal.net…
[my symptoms] > > > > I have nephrotic syndrome. Last time my creatinine was checked a few > > > months > > > > ago, I was still overclearing so my serum creatinine was .5 (low and good) > > > > so I’m only a little freaked out. The symtpoms of uremia include some of > > > > what I’m experiencing, but if it were uremia, it’d be a lot more severe > > > … > > > > right? > > > Why do you need to be told this? > What an odd question. How long is a piece of string? What’s the sound of one hand > clapping?
Oooh! Oooh! I know the answer to that one! Slap the asker in the face. > Itchiness can occur for lots of reasons. I get itchy if my phosphates are high, > and also if I’m fluid overloaded, and also if my pancreas is inflamed. Nausea > likewise could indicate a lot of things. Boyoboy, same with poor sleep, > dizziness, sore throat… I can’t offer any opinion on what they all might amount > to. Seriously, I would consider that many symptoms at once well worth enquiring > about. I try not to bother my docs but my nephrologist says "You have kidney > failure, that’s about as serious as chronic illness gets, ring me if *anything* > is out of the ordinary". I still don’t – I more often just ring my GP, who will > tell me to ring my nephrologist if necessary.
I went to see my GP, whom I love (in a completely acceptable professional sense). My blood pressure has returned to normal (for me); 90/40. He couldn’t find my pulse, and added that the stiffness in my joints may be rigor mortis. Once again, I’ve been told to increase my salt intake! He thinks my BP should be in the low three digits. > Consider also that at least 30% of GP’s appointments end up being non-medical, > that is people who basically just want a chat. Another 30% are people who are > oversensitive to health problems, that is going to the GP for a sniffle or a > paper cut. Most GPs I’ve seen rather like me as a patient because I have what > they refer to as ‘real problems’ and catching up with my progress is more ‘real > medicine’ than most of their day. They didn’t go to uni all those years to natter > with hypochondriacs and apply band-aids.
I have so many things that no explanation can be found for – a facial rash, inflammation in my small intestine, an elevated ESR, white counts that look like lymphoma until they return to normal a few weeks later – that I’m afraid one day he’ll hide under his desk when he sees me coming. This is one reason I sometimes ask around before I go charging the doctors – I have a lot of odd things wrong that can’t be explained but don’t seem to be killing me, and sometimes I’ll let a serious symptom go for a while because I didn’t realize it could be significant. > Anyway, you are managing a bothersome illness to start with, anything which > bothers you much at all is worth taking seriously. You know this isn’t a paper > cut or a sniffle and it’s unexplained. You haven’t had bloods done for a few > months so there could be important changes – see the doctor, ask about getting > your blood checked.
He’s ordered 15 blood tests for me. Lucky for me, the lab techs know me and do an excellent job of sticking me. I’m usually so good they give me a sticker when I’m done. Just because I’m 37 doesn’t mean I don’t like the odd sticker! > > Why does this bother you so much that you need to take such a tone? > Seemed sort of angry to me. Kind of scolding.
If I’d been asking about my cats, I would’ve deserved it.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -REP wrote: > In article <3d05d412$0$31824$afc38…@news.optusnet.com.au>, "Judanne > Simpson" <juda…@optusnet.com.au> wrote: > > "REP" <r…@inanna.com> wrote in message > > news:rep-ya02408000R1006022049350001@news.sf.sbcglobal.net… > > > I have the feeling this is just a weird cold, so I’m not bothering my > > > doctors right away, but for the last few days I’ve itched all over without > > > a rash, and itchiness isn’t relieved by antihistimines or topical > > > applications. I also have a sore, itchy throat; feel a little dizzy; > > > sleeping poorly and am very queasy. Also, the edema in my eyelids is > > > terrible despite taking 80mg Lasix daily (my lower legs are much better, > > > though). > > > Not using any new lotions, detergents, fabric softeners, etc and no change > > > in diet. > > > I have nephrotic syndrome. Last time my creatinine was checked a few > > months > > > ago, I was still overclearing so my serum creatinine was .5 (low and good) > > > so I’m only a little freaked out. The symtpoms of uremia include some of > > > what I’m experiencing, but if it were uremia, it’d be a lot more severe > > … > > > right? > > Why do you need to be told this?
What an odd question. How long is a piece of string? What’s the sound of one hand clapping? If a tree falls in a forest and no-one’s there to hear it, does it really make a sound? How many angels can dance on the head of a pin? If I shoot an arrow from point A aiming at point B, then the arrow must travel half the distance between point A and point B before it can get to point B so we’ll call that midpoint C, but then it must also travel half the distance between point C and point B before it can get to point B so we’ll call that midpoint D, but then it must also travel half the distance between point D and point B before it can get to point B so we’ll call that midpoint E, and there’s always going to be a halfway point between wherever the arrow is and where I aimed at, so how can it ever get to point B? > Call the doctor. Let him or her decide if > > you need the nephrologist.
…but this makes sense to me. > I don’t need to be told anything. I was asking for information before I > needlessly bothered my doctor – who does have other patients besides me – > about something that I’m more bothered by than is probably warranted.
Itchiness can occur for lots of reasons. I get itchy if my phosphates are high, and also if I’m fluid overloaded, and also if my pancreas is inflamed. Nausea likewise could indicate a lot of things. Boyoboy, same with poor sleep, dizziness, sore throat… I can’t offer any opinion on what they all might amount to. Seriously, I would consider that many symptoms at once well worth enquiring about. I try not to bother my docs but my nephrologist says "You have kidney failure, that’s about as serious as chronic illness gets, ring me if *anything* is out of the ordinary". I still don’t – I more often just ring my GP, who will tell me to ring my nephrologist if necessary. Consider also that at least 30% of GP’s appointments end up being non-medical, that is people who basically just want a chat. Another 30% are people who are oversensitive to health problems, that is going to the GP for a sniffle or a paper cut. Most GPs I’ve seen rather like me as a patient because I have what they refer to as ‘real problems’ and catching up with my progress is more ‘real medicine’ than most of their day. They didn’t go to uni all those years to natter with hypochondriacs and apply band-aids. Anyway, you are managing a bothersome illness to start with, anything which bothers you much at all is worth taking seriously. You know this isn’t a paper cut or a sniffle and it’s unexplained. You haven’t had bloods done for a few months so there could be important changes – see the doctor, ask about getting your blood checked. > Why does this bother you so much that you need to take such a tone?
Seemed sort of angry to me. Kind of scolding. Mick. — "You are the music while the music lasts" – Antonio Damasio (after TS Eliot).
Response:
Why do you need to be told this? Call the doctor. Let him or her decide if you need the nephrologist. Judanne — I’m waiting for a kidney transplant! BECOME AN ORGAN DONOR at www.organdonor.com.au/index-main.htm and you could give someone a new life. "REP" <r…@inanna.com> wrote in message
news:rep-ya02408000R1006022049350001@news.sf.sbcglobal.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have the feeling this is just a weird cold, so I’m not bothering my > doctors right away, but for the last few days I’ve itched all over without > a rash, and itchiness isn’t relieved by antihistimines or topical > applications. I also have a sore, itchy throat; feel a little dizzy; > sleeping poorly and am very queasy. Also, the edema in my eyelids is > terrible despite taking 80mg Lasix daily (my lower legs are much better, > though). > Not using any new lotions, detergents, fabric softeners, etc and no change > in diet. > I have nephrotic syndrome. Last time my creatinine was checked a few months > ago, I was still overclearing so my serum creatinine was .5 (low and good) > so I’m only a little freaked out. The symtpoms of uremia include some of > what I’m experiencing, but if it were uremia, it’d be a lot more severe … > right?
Response:
In article <3d05d412$0$31824$afc38…@news.optusnet.com.au>, "Judanne – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Simpson" <juda…@optusnet.com.au> wrote: > "REP" <r…@inanna.com> wrote in message > news:rep-ya02408000R1006022049350001@news.sf.sbcglobal.net… > > I have the feeling this is just a weird cold, so I’m not bothering my > > doctors right away, but for the last few days I’ve itched all over without > > a rash, and itchiness isn’t relieved by antihistimines or topical > > applications. I also have a sore, itchy throat; feel a little dizzy; > > sleeping poorly and am very queasy. Also, the edema in my eyelids is > > terrible despite taking 80mg Lasix daily (my lower legs are much better, > > though). > > Not using any new lotions, detergents, fabric softeners, etc and no change > > in diet. > > I have nephrotic syndrome. Last time my creatinine was checked a few > months > > ago, I was still overclearing so my serum creatinine was .5 (low and good) > > so I’m only a little freaked out. The symtpoms of uremia include some of > > what I’m experiencing, but if it were uremia, it’d be a lot more severe > … > > right? > Why do you need to be told this? Call the doctor. Let him or her decide if > you need the nephrologist.
I don’t need to be told anything. I was asking for information before I needlessly bothered my doctor – who does have other patients besides me – about something that I’m more bothered by than is probably warranted. Why does this bother you so much that you need to take such a tone?
Response:
I have the feeling this is just a weird cold, so I’m not bothering my doctors right away, but for the last few days I’ve itched all over without a rash, and itchiness isn’t relieved by antihistimines or topical applications. I also have a sore, itchy throat; feel a little dizzy; sleeping poorly and am very queasy. Also, the edema in my eyelids is terrible despite taking 80mg Lasix daily (my lower legs are much better, though). Not using any new lotions, detergents, fabric softeners, etc and no change in diet. I have nephrotic syndrome. Last time my creatinine was checked a few months ago, I was still overclearing so my serum creatinine was .5 (low and good) so I’m only a little freaked out. The symtpoms of uremia include some of what I’m experiencing, but if it were uremia, it’d be a lot more severe … right?
Response:
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