Comments on Kamal Shah's Blog: Being proactive about my health - no choice in the...

Will do :) .....

2010-02-12T08:27:57.137+05:30

Will do :) .....

Shan, you should get on to a mailing list / forum ...

2010-02-11T20:40:05.910+05:30

Shan, you should get on to a mailing list / forum (if you are not already). I get many of my answers from there. There are some experts also and you usually get some very good ideas.

Hi Kamal, I consulted my nephrologist (Dr. Fauszi...

2010-02-11T16:26:13.626+05:30

Hi Kamal,

I consulted my nephrologist (Dr. Fauszi) today, he also recommended increasing my EPO dose. I'm currently on 4000IU/week, so I'll be increasing by another 2000IU.

My Ferritin levels are at 900+ (ng/ml?). It used to be at 400+ in Nov, I thought this might be the reason for the lowering of RBS and Hb readings. So, I took Venofer drips in Nov and Dec.

WBC is slightly elevated (always has been) and platelet levels are normal. Dr. Fauzi also recommended a full Iron Studies test, as well as a stool test to check if there's any internal bleeding. Hopefully I'll have a clearer picture when the tests are done.

Have you checked your iron stores recently? Serum ...

2010-02-09T21:55:34.700+05:30

Have you checked your iron stores recently? Serum Iron, TIBC, Ferritin? These could give you a clue.

But yes, increase your EPO level without waiting. Low Hb can make you feel quite bad. EPO usually does the trick. But yes, it would be interesting to know why the drop was there.

How are your WBC and platelets? Have they changed from before?

Hi Kamal, I fully agree with you, the internet is...

2010-02-09T09:12:29.295+05:30

Hi Kamal,

I fully agree with you, the internet is a great source of information to deal with complications of kidney disease. Kudos to you for figuring out the problem with your dialysate that probably led to your bone pains.

Need your input on something ..... I've suddenly had a drop in my Hb levels, it haovered around 10.5 mg/dl for some time, then dropped to 10.0 and 9.9 in Nov and Dec '09. In Jan '10, it dropped to 8.6.

The doctor who consults at my dialysis center suggested the obvious ie upping my EPO dose. But I'm trying to understand why it dropped suddenly.

Appreciate any thoughts that you have :).