GFR 20 but very anemic

[irodeb]

I had my blood drawn yesterday and my nephrologist call me today to come in right a way. I asked if I was starting dialysis, he said no, but that I'm extremely anemic.

I have to get iron IVs on two different days. I also have to do stool smears for occult blood.

I later realized they didn't give me something to boop in! LOL

[ddarling]

Re: GFR 20 but very anemic

IRODEB, what were your hemoglobin numbers? My neph told me that they don't start treating for anemia until numbers are 10.0 and I'm just wondering if that is correct because I read something that said anemia in CKD patients should be treated at a count of 11.0 and 12.0.

[irodeb]

Re: GFR 20 but very anemic

Gee, I thought I was so smart to ask what my GFR was.

I never thought to ask about my other labs.

I've been reading up on what all the labs are because I noticed every one knew their GFR. I had to first find out what in the world a GFR was.

So I go in today, just saw the nurse, and before I left I remembered to ask what mine was.

Now I have to figure out this other lab.

I don't know why I'm in such a good mood! Tired but happy! LOL

[chefnancy]

Re: GFR 20 but very anemic

Ddarling, I think you must have misunderstood the person who was talking to you about treatment of anemia in kidney disease. We are treated to try to get our hemoglobin UP to between 11 and 12. 10 would be a realistic starting point. When the anemia is treated with the epo class of drugs (Pro-Crit, Epogen, or Aranesp) they try not to get the hemoglobin much over 12 because using those drugs to get it much higher than that increases your risk of clots. Mine got down to 4.5 at one point. The medical people were surprised I was able to move.

[ddarling]

Re: GFR 20 but very anemic

Thanks Chefnancy. I saw my dietician today and I mentioned that about being treated for anemia. She said that unless it has changed, it is regulated to treat once you reach 10.0 or below. The last time I saw her was about 2 1/2 months ago and back then my hemoglobin was 11.9. My most recent lab work shows it currently at 10.7

[irodeb]

Re: GFR 20 but very anemic

Well, after I took in my stool smears, and my neph doc called me again this afternoon. The stool smears showed I have blood in my stool, and he called my family doc so I can be set up with a gastrointestinal doc.

In '06 before they found I had kidney disease, I was very anemic. I was admitted and given a blood transfusion. They said I had blood in my stool then, also. They did all of the scopes and didn't find where I was bleeding from.

Now I have to go through that again, outpatient hopefully. Oh Joy!

[chefnancy]

Re: GFR 20 but very anemic

Sorry you are having to go through all that, irodeb. I hope they don't find anything awful.

[ddarling]

Re: GFR 20 but very anemic

IRODEB, keeping you in my prayers that all turns out well.

[irodeb]

Re: GFR 20 but very anemic

I haven't posted in a while. Thanks for all the good wishes. My psychologist told me today to not forget that God is able. I'm a Christian, and a friend is going to start driving me to church. I avoided Easter due to crowds, and no nice clothes, but I continued my bible reading and had praise music on. My brother and sister-in-law took me out to eat.

I had the 4 hrs iron drips on the ninth and the 16th. My Neph Doc called yesterday and said my anemia isn't much better. I now get copies of my labs from the Doc's office.
My red blood cells are 2.96, hemoglobin 9.6, Hematocrit 28.4. So now I have to get iron shots every two weeks. I'm also dehydrated, and Tues nite I had to get a few liters of IV fluids. I didn't know how bad I felt until I felt better!

My blood sugars have been out of control for about a week. Even my regular insulin by sliding scale wasn't bringing it down. My Fam. Doc increased my Lantus Insulin from 54 units daily to 60 units, and I got an appointment for next week.

I've blacked out a few times about 5 minutes after I get up and start to walk. I've been using a friend's walker and I.m going to ask my Dr. for one. He didn't want me to use one, before but now I also lose my balance, having to take a lot of little sideways steps until I regain my footing.

But, I'm fortunate to have a good friend/neighbor who drives me everywhere. I help him out also. I'm going to help him shop for food tomorrow. He's just a good friend about 15 years older then me. The old women in my building love to gossip!!

[chefnancy]

Re: GFR 20 but very anemic

Irodeb, I am sorry you are having such problems. I hope your dr. is able to get your blood sugar under control. Any idea why it is suddenly so out of control? The walker sounds like a good idea if you are that unstable. However, you might ask about getting some physical therapy to help your balance. I know pt will not help your black-outs, but hopefully getting your sugar under control will do that. I was having a lot of trouble with balance and was having to use a cane to walk because of balance problems. I took a course of physical therapy and, with simple exercises that you can do sitting in a chair or lying on a bed, I was able to improve my balance enough that I no longer need the cane.