Damn "Socialist" Medicare Program! EM from my Aunt whose kidneys are failing

[Synnical]

She is 78.

Posted with typo's and all.

I spent the day at Kaiser getting an IV of Iron which I need before the
procrit will be effective. I already feel better and not so short of
breath. My shortness of breath is caused by the low Oxygen content of my
blood. The iron and procrit will help beef up the oxygen. The biopsy
indicated chronic kidney damage, no Weggoners disease. I can only hope
and pray I can keep up my kidney function to a level close to 30, if not
it is death or dialysis (spelling).I have no idea how long people put up
with dialysis until they can't take it any more. I know it takes over
your life needing it 3 to 4 times a week and it takes several hours. It
is such a wonderful thing that the government always pays for the
treatment so there is no one dieing because they can't afford the
treatment. I will write more another time. Love

-Cindy in Fort Lauderdale, posted without permission from my Aunt. No names mentioned.

Thought it worth posting.

Best to all.

[Dogmudgeon]

1. Why do her kidneys hate America?

You should tell her that Socialism makes Baby Jesus cry.

--d!

[still_one]

2. Hopefully, she is watching her protein and blood pressure. If she can keep those under control she

has a chance to preserve her kidneys, along with an ACE or ARB

Best of luck to your family

[Stargleamer]

7. Perhaps her sodium intake should be monitored too n/t

[REP]

8. Low protein is no longer recommended by anyone for CRF - just makes patients sick & weak

Some patients with heavy proteinuria even need supplemental protein. Phosphate, sodium and potassium have to be monitored.

I am Stage 3.

[still_one]

10. You are wrong. Any nephrologist knows that protein is hard on the kidneys. Yes, you do need a

minimum, but if you are questioning Mayo, John Hopkins, and other prestiges clinics they disagree with you assessment, along with tons of studies

You want to stay at stage 3, watch your protein. Reducing the amount of protein in your diet helps slow progression of Chronic kidney disease, that is a fact, and your statement that low protein is no longer recommended by anyone for CRF is WRONG. The studies show that a low protein diet preserve kidney function are all over the place, and this has been known for years.

Depending on you weight you should maintain 60 to 100 grams of protein a day if you have CRF.

[REP]

14. Nope. Not wrong at all. Please do not give outdated, incorrect medical advice

Any nephrologist? You lost that bet. MY nephrologist, 10 years ago, told me low-protein was no longer followed. Check Merck.

[still_one]

18. What do you mean by low protein? If you have CRF, depending on the stage, you should be consuming

between 60 to 100 grams of protein a day.

Less than 60 grams has health risks, and more than 100 grams will put more stress on the kidneys

In all cases people should follow their doctors advice, not advice on DU, and second opinions are always reasonable

I would also be very surprised if your nephrologist told you that high protein intake was good for the kidneys

[sendero]

11. I was just about to post..

... kidney disease treatment has changed a lot in the last decade and like most "medical science" long held beliefs are being found to be false. Low protein is a death sentence.

And while we're at it peritoneal dialysis is superior to hemodialysis in every respect but it is still used in the small minority of cases here.

[still_one]

12. "death sentence". Interesting. I have been stage 3 for 20 years, on a low protein diet

and I am still at stage 3

Of course it all depends what you mean by low protein diet.

"Reducing protein intake in patients with chronic kidney disease reduces the occurrence of renal death by 32% as compared with higher or unrestricted protein intake. The optimal level of protein intake cannot be confirmed from these studies."

http://www2.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab001892.html

In all cases people should be checking with their doctor, or get a second opinion from another physician to help make an informed decision

[sendero]

15. In the old days..

... low protein meant almost no protein and it was a death sentence.
Obviously, one with kidney disease should not be eating 200 grams of protein a day, nor should they be eating 20.

As for informed opinions my wife is a transplant patient so we are pretty up on the subject.

[still_one]

17. Low protein diet, depending on weight is about 60g/day, which is not unreasonable

A lot of factors come into play, including stage, plus other conditions such as diabetes, etc., so there is no real hard and fast rule. In fact, based on your response we probably agree, which is why I indicated in one of my posts it depends on what one means by low protein. As a hard and fast rule, one needs a minimum of 60 grams of protein a day.

Most people, with or without kidney disease eat more protein than they should.

In all cases they should be working with their doctors

I wish you and your wife the best.

[Kerrytravelers]

3. Poor dear. My best to her.

[malaise]

4. Here' s a hug for your aunt

Tell her I have a close friend whose mom was on dialysis for 16 years. It helped that my friend is a doctor. She received her treatment twice a week.

:grouphug:

[Synnical]

5. Thank you, I will convey that info to her.

-Cindy in Fort Lauderdale.

[Justitia]

6. Best wishes to your aunt. My son was on dialysis for 3 yrs, paid for via Medicare & Medicaid.

They also paid for his eventual kidney transplant.

If not, he would have died.

It is encouraging that your aunt made the connection between these programs & saving people's lives.

For a good chunk of society - the never-been-sick rightwing types, they have no idea the terror of serious illness & no access to healthcare.

It takes 3 months for Medicare to start paying after your kidneys have completely failed. Three months of sheer terror.

They should visit some dialysis clinics - that is a life-changing experience right there.

All my best to your aunt & you.

[area51]

9. +1 n/t

[NNN0LHI]

13. My Fox news watching elderly mother is convinced that HCR is making her sick

Last month she was convinced it was the "Mohammadins"(That is what she calls Muslims), were spraying something into the air to make here sick.

I got my hands full.

Hope your Aunt gets better soon.

Don

[donco6]

16. Glad to see how well-informed she is on her own treatment.

Good for her.