Strange day

[Nancy]

Sometimes, you just never know, things could be going along fairly well, and then everything hits the fan.

Joe went in for his protime, plus his metabolic profile which has to be done every month.

His INR came back at 4.7, then I got a call on his lab results, his Digoxin level is too high, his creatinine levels are out of whack,and his potassium level is too high.

So now he has to hold several meds for a couple of days, and has to go on a low potassium diet (which it horrible, if you've never tried it), and repeat the metabolic profile on Monday, and the protime again on Tuesday.

So keep your fingers crossed that everything will be ironed out by Tuesday. I sure don't want him to have to be on the low potassium diet for a long time. It eliminates just about everything.

Just had to vent a little.

 

[Granbonny]

Nancy

Nancy

What is a low potassium diet? Got your hands full again..but I know you..Everything will be fine with Joe next week. God bless you and Joe Bonnie

 

[hensylee]

Thinking of you both while you have to do this. Hope they manage to juggle all back into place without much trouble. Keep us posted.

 

[Harrybaby666]

Things Have a way of sneaking up on a person don't they

Things Have a way of sneaking up on a person don't they

Hi Nancy,

I am sorry to hear that your hubby is not doing swell at the medicinal level, things just seem to all of a sudden and sneak up on a person don't they? I know how thats been for the past week or two as I too have been having a bunch of trouble with all my diseases...Just what an innocent victim of disaster needs right? LOL but seriously, This week I go to Dartmouth Hitchcock to see about my kidney surgery to remove a huge stone, and hopefully, things will be better for you, your hubby, and myself really soon. I just wanted to show support as I know its hard. Please tell your hubby I hope he gets back into sync. real soon and feels better. And you take care of yourself to Ya Hear? LOL Harrybaby666

 

[Nancy]

A low potassium diet is used when bloodwork shows too high a poassium level, and/or when you have some renal faiulre.

Potassium, unfortunately is found in just about everything, loads of vegetables and fruits, meat, dairy products, nuts and seeds, whole grains, chocolate, coffee, many juices. It's really hard to come up with a healthy diet with low potassium.

 

[JimChicago]

I know they say some heart med's tend to increase potassium and things like Lasix tend to decrease potassium - they say to avoid salt subsitute potassium too.
I hope and pray all these levels will be straightened out.

 

[nadi]

So sorry to hear about the blood work. Hopes and prayers all is back in sinc on the next test.

 

[maxximom]

Nancy.. I am the last person in the world to give you any type of advice as you and Joe have gone through so much and have so much knowledge..but when it comes to Pottassium and Creatinne levels.. I have some experience since Allan has had a lot of problems getting his under control. As a Diabetic he has some kidney damage and we have to be very careful where his levels are. The first thing we learned, when his levels were up was to had a RECHECK at the Lab. If the blood id not drawn just right it cam hemolize and that affects the readings..also if he is dehydrated when the blood is drawn the readings can be off.Before you get to worried.. I would have the blood redrawn and tell the phelbatomist to make sure that the blood does not hemmolize..just a thought the way the blood is drawn and handeled CAN make a difference..I hope all works out well.
Joan

 

[Nancy]

Good point Joan-

Thank you, it will definitely be in the back of my mind. He is scheduled for another metabolic panel tomorrow and another protime on Tuesday. If all doesn't look right at that point, I'll bring it up.

One thing I noticed since his meds were held and he's on a temporary low potassium diet, is that his heart rate is much lower. He usually runs around 100 because he has afib, and there isn't much that can be done for it, on him anyway. When I took it earlier today, it was 64.

He's definitely got a little something going on, but then he always does. He's like living with Barnum and Bailey's Three Ring Circus.

Usually things can resolve pretty quickly. It a big maintenance issue. But you know the drill with that, right Joan??

 

[maxximom]

Nancy.. things here are usually not to hectic thank the Loed! Allan always says" When I go to shave and the mirror fogs up.. I know it a good day." His Pottassium has been fine recently..what they have done is add a low dose of Lasixx which usually will deplete your Pottassium (thanks to my suggesstion) to his Cozar which seems to raise his Pottassium..this way it balances things out. We always have to second guess the doctors..but it just made sense to try it that way and by gosh it worked. They now want to up the Cozar..and I have to warn the doctors about the Pottasiium..since they don't bother to read their own notes..sigh!
BTW.. is there a way to spell check on the board.. I am the worlds worst speller and typist
Joan

 

[Nancy]

Hey Joan-

I'm glad you mentioned Cozaar and raising potassium levels. I take Cozaar, and my dose was just doubled. Not that I load up on lots of potassium-rich foods, but I'll be thinking of this fact when I prepare food for BOTH Joe and I.

Thanks once again.

 

[bvdr]

Hi Nancy,

So sorry you're in the ring for another round. No advise since I'm sure you've already researched and are getting a handle on this. I just want to know I'm thinking about you both and hope this soon becomes a past issue. I'll keep you guys in my prayers.

 

[Nancy]

Good news, labs are pretty much all normal. Digoxin is a little high still, but a reduction should take care of that. Kidney function OK, potassium normal. Repeat labs in a week just to make sure all is well.

No more low potassium diet. Hooray for Joe.

 

[Ross]

Man I don't know how he does it. I'm sure it's anything but enjoyable for him. Probably no fun for you either. That's good news though, lets keep it that way.

 

[Harrybaby666]

Cool Beans Nancy!

Cool Beans Nancy!

Hi Nancy,

I am really glad to hear that your hubby is better. I just dread the thought of having to monitor myself like this, although being a diabetic, you would think I would be used to it...lol Meanwhile, take care, and stay well!! Harrybaby666

 

[Nancy]

Poor Joe's been on noodles and rice, zucchini and canned pears and a ration of grapes with very little meat. Popsicles for desert. One good thing is that he could have pancakes (low sodium, of course)

He's about ready to strangle the cook! But it worked!

 

[maxximom]

GREYT (opps I always sspell that word that way..I have a GREYHOUND and we greyhound nuts do that) NEWS NANCY and JOE
I bet that it was a Lab problem from the beggining.. I have been throught the Potassium lab mistakes so many times..that I never panic until they are redone. Allan loves Canteloupe and every time the Potassium comes back high we have to restrct it. A low Sodium Low Potassiiiiiiiiiiiium diet would have been a total bummer> Way to go Joe!!!

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi nancy!
i'm so glad that joe's labs came back better! please let us know how he does when he gets retested.
in the meantime, hope you both stay well.
-sylvia

 

[Karlynn]

Nancy,
Glad to hear things are looking better. How long on the low potassium diet?

Karlynn

 

[Nancy]

He was 3 days on the diet. I kept him to it strictly, he also had to hold his potassium during that period of time. Both combined, did the trick. But he will always remain almost no sodium.

There are people, however with impaired kidney function that have to stay on that diet and worse (low sodium, low potassium, low phosphorus, restricted liquids), forever.

We're really trying to save his kidney function. He has had some failure in the past.

His INR came in right on target today