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[EDom]

Hello everyone its been a while since ive posted on here. Still no real answers... So at first my eGfr was 55 then i did a kidney cleanse n they went way up to 106 well now they're down to 63 still with large amounts of blood in urine(microscopic) so the kidney specialist referred me to a urologist he did a systoscopy (came out normal) n ordered a CT scan... Well i was told that now my liver is enlarged measurements r 18.2 cm i do not drink or do drugs so i dont get it n all i was told was i need to make an appointment with my pcp... Just so irritated with not ever getting any answers im so stressed out i can't sleep. Please give some advice i just need something to go on being that my appointment with my Dr isnt until the 15th

[Hidden]

First thing is to try to get calm. Stress can only make things worse. It can be a process but try to reverse your questions. Instead of asking, "What's wrong?" ask, "What have you ruled out?"

Many times, when your symptoms are many and varied the tests they run are for the purpose of eliminating something and eventually, they do find the correct answer. Your patience is required. Hang in there.

[EDom in reply to Hidden]

Yes i need take a deep breath its so hard to not stress especially when i leave each visit the same way confused... But u are right thank u mr kidney truely appreciated

[Hidden in reply to EDom]

Physicians will normally look for the most obvious problems first. When they don't find that they'll look for the next thing on their list. Again, if you ask what they've eliminated you'll actually be able to relax when you find the scary things have been ruled out. Remember, this is your life and your health so ask the questions you need to and don't take silence for an answer. Physicians will avoid making guesses but when they eliminate something and you ask they will usually tell you. Learn to celebrate when something is eliminated and let yourself enjoy the moment before you start to panic again. The unknown is scary but our minds are the worst when it comes to the unknown.

I've attached an article that may help guide you to the type of questions you want to ask to help you get through this time.

healthywomen.org/content/bl...

[Jayhawker]

Mr Kidney is right. Every time they ruled something serious out for me, eg, kidney cancer, I decided to take a moment to celebrate the good news. Then I moved on to the next appointment. And, of course, I did exactly what they needed me to do. Other than that I did what I could to get on with my life. I also made my mind up that I was going to be sure I took time to do things I really enjoy regularly throughout the process. In other words, I wasn’t going to live merely to go from one doctor’s appointment to another; rather, I’d live to do things I value and enjoy.

Jayhawker

[EDom in reply to Jayhawker]

Yeah i know what u mean its just they dont say much i just wish i could find a dr that would actually explain what is going on

[Jayhawker in reply to EDom]

I ask all my doctor's why they are ordering the tests they are ordering. They will tell you if you ask. I also make them use the full names for the tests; I don't know all the medical jargon and acronyms Then, when the results are posted in my patient portal I often print them off and take them to the follow-up appointment. I'll then ask the doctor to "help me understand" the results and what they mean. Most doctors are pretty good about that if you ask.

However, any doctor who won't take time for some patient education with me in each appointment doesn't get to be a long term member of my treatment team. I vote with my feet and go to another doctor. I look for doctors who are current with their knowledge base, are effective diagnosticians, value patient involvement, and spend at least 5 minutes in each 15 minute appointment providing patient education.

It's really very simple, I can't take care of myself appropriately if I don't understand what's happening in my body. Similarly, I can't make informed decisions regarding treatment options if I don't have this information. And finally, not knowing what's going on in my body elevates my stress level and causes increased anxiety for me. Medical people definitely don't like this later issue but sometimes don't seem to realize that their lack of information for us actually causes heightened stress and anxiety for most of us . . .

I help my doctors provide this sort of care for me by arriving with questions and copies of labs, etc. I also actively work to be sure all doctors on my team have the same information, e.g., as I get tests ordered by one doctor I ask that the results are sent to all doctors on my team. Then I double-check to be sure the doctors have received the new testing data, etc. I also post data that I track at home (e.g., blood pressure, glucose, weight, fluid intake/output) in my patient portals for all of them. It seems that when they see how engaged I am in all of this they tend to be more forthcoming with information . . .

Jayhawker

[Hidden in reply to Jayhawker]

I've posted this before but let me do so again for some who are new and may have missed it before. When I have any question about blood and urine labs I have a site, labtestsonline.org that helps figuring out what the test is and how to understand the results. Once you open the site, click on the word TEST in the menu bar and then look for the test, initials can be used, and get all of the information for each one. Hope this helps.

[EDom in reply to Hidden]

Thank u thank u ur comments always put me at ease

[EDom in reply to Jayhawker]

Very helpful

[GBear]

Hello: sorry I am not much help but could you be allergic to something? Perhaps a change to a non-allergenic diet can help (as long as your doctor does not object)? Please see my earlier posts for suggestions. A fast, followed by vegetable-rich diet may be key. Please check multiple sources, and get your doctor's viewpoint for sure.