Indications of Higher Protein Levels - Update

As noted in earlier posts, my weight is a good indicator of my protein level. If my albumin is low, my weight increases over time due to edema.


Inversely, when my albumin is higher, my weight (edema) decreases..


I believe my weight is dropping significantly right now, so my protein must be up. 22 days ago I weighed 199 pounds. Yesterday, I weighed 176.


Also, since I’ve been ill, I notice I have no hair on my legs after a long period of time with low protein. Then, as my weight begins to decrease due to an increase of protein, hair begins growing on my legs again.


Another more personal way I can tell my protein level may be on the rise is sexual arousal. I’ve noticed this aroused state more frequently lately.


Medication changes: I was taking Budesonide 1 cap every day. I decreased this to every other day.


Diet change: Over the past week, I’ve increased my fish intake significantly.


Dec 6-11 I was in the hospital getting albumin infusions and Lasix tid (three times a day) q8


The week I came home, I changed that budesonide dose. That week, my weight started creeping back up.


Then, I broke my leg on Dec-19. It seemed that immediately following that event, I began feeling less edemic.

Unexpected Accident Sunday

I broke my leg Sunday. My left Tibia fractured high (close to the knee). They called this the Tibia Plateau.


This injury occurred as I innocently threw an object into a tree. You see, I kicked my dogs ball high into the tree where it became lodged amongst its branches. I was attempting to knock the ball from the tree with a heavy socket.


When I threw the object upward, the lateral portion of my left leg was put in an un-natural bending angle, then it popped loudly. Of all ways to break a leg, this has got to be the lamest!


The orthopedic doctor who saw me said this type of fracture most commonly results in surgery. But in my case, he thinks if I keep my leg immobilized and don’t bear weight on it, that it’ll heal.


So I’ve got a knee immobilizer on and use a crutch under my left armpit, and a cane in my right hand.


It didn’t take long for me to realize how much of a workout I’ll be getting using these mobility aids.
One of my secondary issues that crept up due to my hypoproteinemia is osteoporosis. I’m not sure if this contributed to my leg break, so my VA doctor is going to schedule me for a density scan in the near future.


This doctor also told me to be watchful of blood clots. Since I don’t have a spleen, my platelets (Thrombocytes) are a lot higher than normal. That means my clotting factor is higher.


I am at risk of developing embolisms.


This is all for now. If you’d like to help me keep this blog going, feel free to donate using the button on the page.

Video Update about My Latest Hospital Stay

As my previous post indicates, I was recently in the hospital.  I made a short update video to fill you in on my latest treatment.

Dec 3, 2010 Update - Not Doing Well, and Why

I’m having a bad week. I messed up and ran low on my Lasix (fluid pills) and man, am I paying for it now!


Anasarca has set in with a vengeance! I think I have at least 30 or more poinds of fluid. It is VERY uncomfortable.


I’m paying close attention to my breathing, because fluid overload like this can cause the space between my lungs and their lining to become fluid filled. This is not good.


My belly is protruding like… like I don’t know what, and my legs, arms, hands, and face are bloated.


I definitely have to go in to the hospital Monday. My new supply of lasix did come in today, but they are not very effective right now because the edema extends into my intestinal tract and interferes with their absorbtion… hence their decreased effectiveness.


This situation as a great example of why it’s important to keep up with your meds.