A simple blood test

Life is precious. One day and one blood test can bring that home. I went to the doctor yesterday because I have been having trouble with swelling in my legs from water retention. It has been a task trying to keep the fluids moving from the body. Now, of course on the day of meeting with a new doctor, my legs aren’t swollen at all. It is like taking the car to a mechanic. It’s knocking so loud you can’t hear the radio, but when the mechanic turns it over, there is nothing, no sound, no knocking…….in fact it is purring like a kitten. So you take it home, a mile out the knocking starts up again- damn!!!

So this is my situation yesterday, except with the swollen legs. Luckily she saw me in the hospital a month ago and knew I wasn’t exaggerating. So she had them draw blood to check things out. Of course, once I left the doc’s office my legs started swelling again.

This morning I get the call. The blood results are in. The results indicate that I am on the verge of kidney failure. I go to see a kidney doctor on Sept. 7. They gave me a list of instructions. I can handle everything they told me except I have to go off all NSAIDS. I live with chronic pain. It is extreme and everywhere in my body. The Relafen I take daily controls that pain and makes it tolerable. Without it I have trouble moving and functioning. Now I am without it. I understand being off of it is necessary, but in that case, I need something to help control the pain. Their answer – Tylenol, which is useless. I will be in living hell within a couple days. They are hoping the kidneys will bounce back and so am I. At least now I have some answers as to why I have had no energy in the past couple months.

I will adapt to the new restrictions, but now with the back and joint pain as well as the nerve pain, life holds no joy. Why is it that Doctor’s do not understand the level of pain with which patients have to live? I have talked to her and the nurse of the kidney doctor. Neither have anything to offer but Tylenol. It does nothing for me. Their suggestion? Talk to the physical therapists. They might have something that can help. I know their suggestions TENS unit,( I use it set at level 40, most people can’t go higher than level 3), lidocaine patches (does nothing), ice and heat.

Oh well, get used to the pain, no one will help.