I have an appointment later this morning with a nephrologist (kidney doctor). Some of my lab values have changed and there is a possibility that my kidneys might not be functioning like they should. My creatinine level is 1.23, up from 1.1 three months ago. My eGFR is 48. They got that information from blood work I had done. Tomorrow I'll do a urine test at the doctor's office to see if there is protein in my urine (normally there is none). I'm not sure what other tests, if any, that they will do or schedule. I'll just have to wait and see.
I have a lot of curious symptoms that I thought were unrelated but may be related now that I've researched kidney problems. Those symptoms are: excessive hiccups, itching all over, waking up at night to pee, fatigue, depression, skin rash, aversion to meat, loss of appetite, loss of sexual desire and joint pain. A very strange constellation of symptoms.
I think that my lab values have been off for 3-6 months. I'm sure there will be testing to come to determine if there is anything wrong with my kidneys. They could do more blood work, imaging, ultrasound and/or a biopsy of the kidneys. I don't care what they have to do as long as I get a diagnosis. Once I have a diagnosis I can move forward. The most important changes are eating a healthy diet and exercising every day. I haven't been doing either lately. My eating has changed a lot in the last few weeks. Very little, if any, meat, cheese, eggs, or peanut butter are on my meal plan. And I'm just so tired that going out for a walk just doesn't get done. What really stinks though is that I'm tired but I have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep (midnight trips to the loo). It's frustrating.
Anyway, I'm feeling nervous tonight. I want to make sure I have everything ready for tomorrow. I have to bring all my meds in with me to my appointment. I have paperwork to take with me to the appointment. I have to put a note on the door for the cleaning lady to let her know I'm not home but she can come in and start cleaning. I had to print out a map and information on the clinic and the doctor I will be seeing (Mark Cook, DO). I think I have everything ready except putting my glasses by my bag. I'll do that when I head back to bed.
I feel like I am going into this armed with information and that helps relieve the stress. I think I will be frustrated by how slow the whole process will be. I don't know if the Doctor will have enough information tomorrow to diagnose me. I want to get to the bottom of this though so I can get back to walking and eating better. I may have to be on a strict, renal diet if my kidneys have been effected by the long term use of NSAIDs, Ibuprofen and the like.
Okay, I'm going to try to go back to bed. I'm shivering (as usual) and feeling anxious and I'm finally getting sleepy. No reason to stay up and enjoy all of this. lol
