My Situation Update

My protein level is not as low as it has been in the past. I don't know exactly what my albumin is, but judging by my edema level it's around 1.5.

I, as you may already know, am a veteran. Well, I went to the VA hospital in Jackson, MS a week and a half ago to see my primary care doctor.

I had been taking spironalactone (sp?) and my potassium needed checking. It turned out to be fine.

My edema on a scale of 1 to 10 was about a 5 and I was uncertain about being admitted because ther were things I wanted to do the following weekend. Being hospitalized would have put a damper on those activities.

Well, I did go back home with instructions to take a larger dose of the spironalactone (sp?). I was also instructed to come back in 2 weeks for another potassium check. I informed them I wouldn’t be able to come back that soon due to the cost of travel.

It costs me about $70.00 each time I go. The doctors seemed unsympathetic and sent me home thinking I was going to comply with their instructions.

I called them today and rescheduled that in 2 week appointment . I’m also taking the original dose of the spironolactone and will increase it 2 weeks prior to the new appointment.

Well, as you can tell, juggling finances due to health concerns is tough. I may be “wrong” for the way I am approaching my situation, but I’m doing the best I can.

Is there a Cure for Hypoalbuminemia?

Is there a cure for Hypoalbuminemia?

Well, depending on what the cause of your case is, there just might be. 

Some albumin loss can be contributed to conditions that can be addressed.

Heart defects, Celiac disease, vasculitis and other conditions can be addressed through surgery, diet or medications.

  However, other conditions may not be curable, in which case treatment of symptoms might be the doctor’s only recourse.  I have an idiopathic form of the condition.  This means the cause of my low albumin is unknown. 

While the doctors haven’t yet given up on finding a specific cause to address for me, they have been focusing on the treatment my symptoms.

Diuretics, Albumin infusions, infection control, dietary and other strategies have been brought to bear.

Also, I’ve tried a number of drugs, both injections and oral, to try to address the low protein issue itself.  I’ve had moderate success with Humera, but had to discontinue it due to a Tuberculosis side effect.  I’ve had some success with Prednisone but had to stop due to Vision and other uncomfortable side effects.

I tried a chemotherapy drug called Cytoxan, an IV drug.  That was rough on me.  It seemed to help a little too.  That’s not a drug to be on indefinitely.

Well, this is all for now.