Back to Hospital: The Why and the How

I have a doctor appointment with Rheumatology tomorrow at Sonny Montgomery VA Medical Center in Jackson, MS.


My edema is excessive, as noted in a recent post, so I’m going to try to be admitted for diuresis. This means I’ll be given infusions of Albumin and Lasix at regular intervals (every 8 hours). For dosing information, use the search box, or use the links posted in the column on the right to manually read for the information.


You can use the search box above to search “Albumin and Lasix to treat Hypoalbuminemia”.


Usually when I get this treatment, I stay for approximately 5 days and I decrease my weight by about 20 pounds.


The fluid accumulation in my left leg is much more pronounced this time than any other. I have had unequal distribution of lower extremity edema before, but not to this extent. Therefore, I have to conclude that my broken leg is somehow contributing to this inequality.


Even the top of my left foot is puffed up… almost like a little-flat-water balloon.


When I go tomorrow, I’ll pack an extended stay bag with the essentials… Razor, toothbrush, underwear, socks, some Pjs and some cloths to wear on the day I come back home.


I ride the greyhound bus back and forth. This costs about $70 each time I go to the hospital. This travel expense has forced me to limit the trips, which puts off some important appointments.


What I invariably end up doing is postponing appointments till I can arrange them all around one day’s time, or I wait till I need to be hospitalized, then I go.


And the price of fuel is always going up, so I imagine bus tickets will be going up as well.

Note to Lena, in Russia

I heard about the explosion at the airport in Moscow.  I hpe you were nowhere near that place. 

I also hope you are winning your fight against PLE.  Tell me how you are doing.  I was going to send you an e-mail, but I couldn't find an e-mail address for you.

God bless, and warmest regards;

Dan

It is such a shame that people can cause such death and destruction. 

I'm Swallowing my Pride Asking for Help

Help if you can. My wife needs a new car.


She tells me everyday the 20 year old car is going to quit running at any time. Last night she was really upset about it… but what can I do?


I’m a disabled veteran. I’m on a fixed income. I can’t work, although I would love it if I could… and I am reminded (by her) of the fact that I can’t work, every time I mention my deep desire to do so.


So here I am doing the only thing I can think of, asking you, a perfect stranger for help. If you have any ideas, or can help me in someway to obtain a new car for my wife, I would be eternally grateful.


I don’t drive, I can’t drive because of my disability.


It breaks my heart that I can’t give her the things she needs.

If you can help, contact me with a comment, or use my guestbook, or just use the donate button. 

Exclusive Pitting Edema Video

In this video, I demonstrate what pitting edema looks like and how some doctors make errors when accounting for perceived fluid reduction.  I am demonstrating the pitting edema on my left leg.

The doctor should use body weight when assessing fluid reduction.

Fish Believed to Improve Hypoproteinemia and Hypoalbuminemia

Update… 18 Jan 2011


I have been doing very well, fluid (edema) wise, until just recently.


What has changed? My diet has changed somewhat. While doing well, I was eating a lot of fish (tilapia).


I was either grilling filets on the George Forman grill, or I was baking them in the oven on a bed of potatoes cut up like French fries.


I was eating 3 files at a time (for lunch) at least 3 days per week.


My edema was kept in check until a couple weeks after I ran out of fish filets.


Now, my legs are puffed back up with edema at least 2+ pitting; if not 3+.


I can’t say for sure that the fish has been keeping my protein elevated, but my instinct is to believe it.


The reason I didn’t get more fish is lack of money.


Anyway, I have another appointment at the VA hospital in about 2 weeks. I may get admitted again for diuresis, and albumin infusions.

Protein Supplent Information Video *** Considering Possibilities ***

In this video, the man is talking about protein supplelments used for after workouts to repair and build muscle.  I think this information may be valuable, however, for folks who are batteling hypoproteinemia. 

NOTE:  Please consult with your doctor before taking any protein supplements.

New Food Bars and Protein Drinks Will Prevent Genetic Damage That Could Contribute to Cancer and Aging

AKRON, Ohio, Jan. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/

-- A novel type of protein promises new food bars and protein drinks that could help fight cancer and aging by preventing a particular form of genetic damage. These new foods are unique in that they will be measurably less radioactive than comparable ordinary foods, but otherwise are similar nutritionally.

Most people are unaware that every type of food we currently eat is measurably contaminated with a particular radioactive material from the air known as carbon-14, or radiocarbon. These radioactive atoms get permanently incorporated into the DNA of every child's body and brain cells as they grow up, and will cause tens of billions of genetic damage events in every person over their lifetime. Of special concern are the hundreds of millions of brain cells that are genetically damaged in the average person from radiocarbon. This genetic damage may be an important factor in cancer and the aging process…. REST OF ARTICLE
______
My comments: Imagine that! The foods we eat could be causing genetic damage over time. I would be interested to know how the level of Carbon-14 is affected in foods based on what cooking process is used.

For instance, does microwave cooking increase, decrease the carbon-14; or does it remain unchanged. What about baking, frying, grilling and smoking?

Maybe this theory explains the longevity of people in Asia whose diet is limited. What do you think? Leave a comment, or sign my guestbook.

"Ideal Protein" may Help with Pain and Medication Reduction

“Ideal Protein” is an interesting theory. This program is actually approved by the FDA, so it must be good.


The idea, according to the source I read, is to cut carbs to give the pancreas a break from creating insulin. The person is supposed to fuel with protein, instead of carbs resulting in the body using energy from fat stores and protein. The result is supposed to reduce weight in the individual and has been effective in pain reduction and medication reduction.


To read the article I looked at that is much more detailed and informative, click here!

Ciliac Disease: Just one Possible Cause of Hypoproteinemia

Some of this post is derived from THIS EXTERNAL WEB PAGE.
One cause of hypoproteinemia could be Celiac disease.


Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disease that damages the villi of the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food.


Essentially, the body is attacking itself every time a person with celiac disease consumes gluten. If you are wondering if might have celiac disease, look at the following symptom checklist using this link to an external site dedicated to Celiac Disease.


For people with Celiac disease, protein called gluten, which is found in wheat, barley and rye isn‘t processed correctly and results in the villi problems as noted above..


I was checked for this with a diet change. I was taken off of all wheat products for at two week, and observed. I showed no change in serum protein so I was pronounced negative for celiac.


There are many, many products containing gluten. It is used as thickener in canned soups, breads, pasta and many other products. Read the ingredients.

I also had small intestine biopsies that ruled out Celiac Disease because the doctor wanted to be absolutely sure this disease was ruled out.

Learning Medical Terminology can Improve Communication with Healthcare Professionals

If you have a chronic condition, it will do you a world of good to have some basic knowledge of medical terminology.


It is handy when I can explain myself to doctors using terms they can relate to.


Very often, I explain pains and sensations. If I can say something like, “I have a burning sensation on the posterior of my left upper leg, it sounds really good. I could further explain the pain to be just distal to my gluteus maximus on the medial portion of my left bicepts femorus.


Doctors and nurses alike are often surprised when I am able to keep up with their medical jargon, speaking it as well as they can. It is useful.


Even when understanding basic rules: For instance, the letter “O” is often used to join “root” words.


Suffixes like “ic” and “osis” mean pertaining to, referring to, or abnormal condition of”.


Here are some root words:

Pathy - disease, illness
Hypo - low or slow or few
Hyper - Fast, swift, higher, more
Tachy - rapid
Brady - slow
Anterior - Front
Posterior - back
Dorsal - back
Ventral - front
Emia - blood
Hepato - liver
Cardiac heart
Cyst - bladder, sack
Idio - unknown
Erethryo- red
Leuko - white
Cyano - blue
Gastric - pertaining to the stomach
Entero - intestine
Presbyopia - far sightedness due to age. Term means (OLD EYES)
Lateral - to one side
Bi-lateral - both sides

This is where I’ll stop. If you want me to continue posting medical terms from time to time, let me know in a comment or in the guestbook.

Doctor's Mistakes Cause for Concern - 5 Questions I ask to (Hopefully) Quell Apprehension

It is very difficult to trust doctors after realizing they make mistakes. That said, you should never place your complete trust in any doctor.


Placing your complete trust in your doctor means you’re giving up your responsibility of paying attention to your care. Over all, this is true, but there are times when complete trust; however uncomfortable, has to be given. We have to submit to doctors for medical procedures, for example.


I must say, I was extremely uncomfortable when I had my abdominal surgery on Friday afternoon. Knowing the doctors were interested in getting my procedure completed so they could take the rest of the day off played havoc on my courage.

I pleaded with the doctor before going to sleep to please take his time, and please be careful.


I came to realize how serious it can be for doctors to make mistakes, and that they can (in fact) make mistakes when I almost bled to death two summers ago.


I had a procedure where the doctor was sticking a needle/catheter into the space between my lungs and the pleural membrane to drain fluid.


That doctor managed to slice an artery, and I lost 5 or 6 units of blood into my chest cavity.


I remember being nervous about letting the doctor do this free-handed, but I let him since I am a veteran of many successful medical procedures involving getting stuck with needles.   

So, after the procedure was over, I remember going back to my room for a few minutes, then I was …. Lets just say “out of it”.


So you see, I am very weary of doctors now! They can and do make mistakes. This doesn’t mean I don’t submit to their expertise, it means I do it much more hesitantly.


I now ask the doctor questions to calm my apprehension:


1. Is the procedure necessary ?
2. What can go wrong?
3. Are you prepared if the thing that could go wrong, does go wrong?
4. Have you done this procedure before?  If so, how many?
5.  How many?


I’ve had to place my trust in doctors again, but I did so with much more of an awareness to their fallibility. This fallibility apples to medication errors as well.