DOCTORS, MEDS, AND TESTS - OH MY

Doctors, meds, and tests - oh my

I recently went to my general practitioner for my annual physical. I did all the extensive “welcome to Medicare” tests at age 65, vowing that would be the last comprehensive testing I would do. From that point on, I only have blood and urine tested annually to determine the condition my condition is in. As I have ranted in previous posts, I do not take medication - only 1 B12 1000 mg chewable each day. Fast forward to 2020, the year of my stoma at age 76. Such a disruption in one's life, which was the result of an orange-sized cyst on the outer wall of my colon. Removal of the infected cyst and surrounding right ovary and appendix (all thankfully non-cancerous), I now have an ileostomy which I was told can be reversed. Although early on I could hardly wait for that reversal - since life or fate can change directions as to one's hopes, I have now rejected the idea of a reversal. After all, I am about to turn 80 and I feel great and have accepted my stoma and the changes it brought about, so why would I risk any surgery now? Long story for a short comment I wanted to make. Which is, my last two blood tests indicated my kidney numbers are elevated to a point where my doc says I have chronic kidney disease - oh yes, I have heard of it as it seems CKD is the latest buzzword for meds advertised on the old Telly these days - big pharma at its best! Not to make light of this, I shared with the doc I have never been fond of water, but I sometimes wonder if my new suspected ailment is a result of dehydration also, a problem for many ostomates. Of course, she wants me to have a renal ultrasound. I then suggested to her that I will endeavor to drink 3 to 4 bottles (16.9 ounces) of water each day for 1 month to see if my kidney numbers change. She agreed to my request. Good news, bad news. Last week I went for my one-month blood draw to determine the results of my watering endeavors. The doc's office called 2 days later (I usually wait at least a week for results) and said kidney numbers are better but I need to cut back to about 2 bottles of water a day as my sodium numbers (which were perfect) have taken a dive! They want me to come in next week for a blood draw. Now, I have cut back on water and just the other day, for medicinal purposes, I had several handfuls of Chester's ever so salty puffcorn along with a glass of water 🤪. I may have this snack for the next week as I return for yet another blood test… I am quite sure some in the medical profession would want me to have the ultrasound followed by the possibility of invasive exploration followed by filling a prescription for the latest drugs to aid in the fight against CKD for the rest of my life. Pfffff, I'd rather go for a reversal. If you've read any of my other million posts regarding docs and meds, you know that I occasionally get on my high horse about these things… so now I shall dismount and tuck and roll at least for the time being. I am pretty certain my further action will be - nothing - and if I live to be almost 81, I will have my annual blood and urine tested once again, but I am not sure why. jb

You are a breath of fresh, honest air! Btw, do you know who was the lead vocal on "Just Dropped In To See What Condition My Condition Was In?"

Kenny Rogers!

Hi JB, If you have an ileo and don't like drinking water, it's no wonder your kidneys were unhappy. Henry has documented on these pages how he ended up with bum kidneys due to not drinking enough water in the early days of his ileostomy, back in the bad old days when the medical profession didn't even know that you needed extra water if you didn't have your colon to absorb the stuff. If you increased your water intake and then saw a corresponding decrease in your sodium levels, welcome to my world. My sodium levels are always on the low side, and I'm constantly having to use extra sodium to keep it up. I add salt to my water and even have sodium tablets. Hopefully, you will get used to drinking a little extra water every day. It's just second nature to me now, and I don't even mind the taste of salty water!

Terry

I have CKD stage 3 with an ileostomy. What doesn't make any kind of sense to me is cutting back on your water intake. That's unfortunately why I have CKD (no, not even one will get CKD with an ileostomy); some of us don't absorb enough nutrients, water, salt, etc. Anyways, I have to drink 5 to 6 bottles of water a day plus take sodium bicarbonate pills to help flush the acid out of my kidneys. And we are all at risk of getting too dehydrated, especially if your output is high. Something doesn't seem right to me, but I'm not a doctor, but even healthy people should drink 4 bottles a day to stay hydrated. And I know what you mean about the Medicare exams. I just had mine the other day, and I'm only 45, and because I'm on disability, they made me go in, and it's ridiculous when you're already going to the doctors regularly. Anyways, I hope things get figured out for you, but I wonder if you should seek a second opinion on what they told you. The water intake, at least for me, has improved my function by 20%, and I'm not taking any medications made for CKD.

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

Ding ding ding, you are correct, Terry!

Not a clue, but will now need to Google that shiz to find out! 🎶🎶🎶

Kenny Rogers and The First Edition - 1979 - Yeah, Yeah, Oh Yeah!

JB, if you don't like water, do what I do: mix a good dose of lime cordial with a liter of water and add some salt, about a teaspoonful, and drink it down. You do need extra salt when you have a stoma, and you definitely need water. Just make the water taste as you want it to taste. Regards, Iggie

Thanks IGGIE - I'll give it a try!