Just needed very badly to vent...

I think you either need to find a new primary care doctor who actually understands what you are going through, or you need to provide her with a " clue by four"!  I am STILL fatigued after 4+ months and it was explained to me that because the kidneys make the red blood cells that carry oxygen, and you are down one kidney, you are going to be tired until the remaining kidney starts growing and taking over for the lost one.  Sorry about the run on sentence.  Also you might very well be anemic.  I don't know of any way you can control your kidney function results with your mind....if you figure out how, let me know, cause my kidney and liver function results are NOT "happy makers" either.  Hang in there.  Others will chime in and let us both know if we can control our kidney function ourselves.

TillieSOK said:

I think you either need to

I think you either need to find a new primary care doctor who actually understands what you are going through, or you need to provide her with a " clue by four"!  I am STILL fatigued after 4+ months and it was explained to me that because the kidneys make the red blood cells that carry oxygen, and you are down one kidney, you are going to be tired until the remaining kidney starts growing and taking over for the lost one.  Sorry about the run on sentence.  Also you might very well be anemic.  I don't know of any way you can control your kidney function results with your mind....if you figure out how, let me know, cause my kidney and liver function results are NOT "happy makers" either.  Hang in there.  Others will chime in and let us both know if we can control our kidney function ourselves.

First of all I want to tell you I am sorry she gave you such a hard time. Personally? I would be searching for a new primary doctor. 

I would speak to your nephrologist about your numbers and how you can change them. They know a lot more about this stuff, I have found that out by talking to them after my primary couldn't answer any of my questions.

I had a full neph in 2006 and it took me a long time to get back up to full energy. I don't know how old you are but I was 41 at that time and now at 48 I am going to have a partial of my other kidney and I am sure it will take a while to get back to my normal energy.

Hugs!

CR1954 said:

Thank you...

Thank you so much for understanding.  I just have tried so hard to get back to "normal", whatever that is.  And I came away feeling both down, as well as guilty...like I should be doing more.  And I don't know, maybe I should.  Maybe I should try and push through the fatigue when it comes on.   

@Sandi45, I will be 60 in a few months.  I don't know, maybe that is helping to keep my energy level a bit lower than it used to be.  I just don't want to have to feel this badly when I see a doctor.

I appreciate you all "listening" to me.  It really does help to talk about it and I think I need to do as you suggest and think about getting a new primary.

Thank you again,

CR

Geeesh, and I thought only men were so insensitive..  Sorry you had to hear that crap..!  Go at your own pace.. and then find a new Dr..  I agree with the other comments.. any Dr should know you have been through Heck and back...  Hope you stay well for a long time now..!

Ron

izzycohen said:

Feel free to vent here.

That is the purpose of this forum.  Sounds like the GP thinks your kidney function is the result of some sort of irresponsible behavior.  You deserve better. 

I'm so sorry you have to go through all of this.  Thinking of and praying for you.

 

Izzy

CR,

Like you I had a Nepherectomy at age 59. Not fun.

As far as Kidney function it is not going to be normal after losing a kidney. Period. After 10 years my GFR went down to 41 and than after seeing a Nephrologist and getting my blood pessure down it is back up to 47. If your number is anywhere near 60 your GP's comments were uncalled for. Unfortunately when you reach my age in 11 years your GFR will be lower because age is one of the things that causes reduced Kidney function which we can do nothing about.

Let this be the last bad thing that happens to you. You have had enough for a couple of lifetimes.

Icemantoo

Ouch! If that was your Doctors idea of a pep talk she has been studying the wrong manual!! You definately don't need that sort of medical care, it is non productive. You will have this fatigue lingering for some time, also there is the psychological aspect which depletes the energy. I know what it is like having cancer hanging over you. I had oral cancer when I was in my twenties, then  bowel cancer and kidney cancer twice. Your body has to struggle back from every trauma and it takes it's own time, you can help it, but not force it.

For the benefit of your health you definately need to find a more supportive doctor.With regards to your kidney function tests were you fully hydrated that day? as it is important to keep your fluid levels up. I wondered have you ever tried nettle leaf tea, it helps to improve the kidney function, so does camomile. I drink them every day instead of regular tea. I also use ancient minerals transdermal magnesium oil and CoQ10 to help restore my energy levels, I find that really helps.

Keep your spirits up, you're not at fault here your doctor obviously missed her vocation as a demolition expert!!

Djinnie x

There is no excuse for bad manners. Your doctor is out of line. The worst thing doctors can do is to harm their patients, and this doctor is harming you by putting you through emotional stress. It takes time to recover from kidney surgery. So don't beat up on yourself. Things will get better. Sending you positive wishes: May the sun bring you new energy by day. May the moon softly restore you by night.  May the rain wash away your worries. May the breeze blow new strength into your being. May you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life. Let us all know how you are progressing. The group is here to support you in any way. Take care.

mom2two said:

I am so sorry

I am so sorry that you went through that humiliation. It was completely unfounded. 6 pounds can pure water weight! 

 

Please, please do not go back to this doctor.

 

(((HUGS)))

My nephrectomy was at age 63, 7 years ago.  It takes a long time to get to your new "normal".  Think I'm finally about the stage I was around 10 years ago, when cancer was eating me inside-out.  You will never have the same results on kidney functions as before surgery, so your old PC is full of b---.  Function levels vary from week to week almost depending on your age (and we do get older each year), whether you have been exercising vigorously, how hydrated you are at the time of blood work, and other factors.  If you are on any BP meds, that can affect both eGFR and Creatanine.

An eGFR of 31 is good for me and neither my PC or Oncologist give me grief over it.

I dropped 10-15 pounds in less than 2 weeks when I was told I had cancer, then another 10 during recovery from surgery and the pancreatitis episode.  Of course, I've found it all, mostly on my butt.  If you can just maintain the weight you are now, even if the Dr. says it's bad for you, you'll be doing well.  Going into winter is a heck of a time to try to lose weight, especially if you tire easily and are still recovering physically and emotionally.  Do what you are able...and then try for a little more next month.

The journey isn't easy, but you're already a survivor, and you'll survive this one, too.

Good Luck.

Donna

LynninNC said:

insensitive for sure

CR, it is very unfortunate you have had that experience. She obviously has never been on your journey. To make positive spin here....I would say that you should use this to get angry. Anger can be very motivating. Replace her yes, but then 2 months from now when you have used your anger to get to a really strong place call her up and report to her how well you are doing...just to prove her wrong!   I had a full open incision nephrectomy 11 months ago and I am not sure I felt "normal" until May or so.     I am curious about your reported kidney function. I never get any kidney function numbers except my creatanine levels. What is the GFR or CFR or whatever you guys are referring to? (I wish I could see all the posts when I am replying, not just the initializing one! I might sound more informed if I could reference back!) My blood work ups have a blank in that line. I am in a clinical trial at Duke and have blood work done every two months now.      Anyway CR, take your time and listen to your body....but get mad and prove her wrong!  All my best. L~

My family practice dr. was very upfront with me.  He said he didn't know squat about kidney cancer, so he couldn't answer very many of my questions.  He said that was why he was referring me to a urologist/nephrologist and an oncologist.  He said he would take care of my general health and leave the cancer stuff to the big guns....for which I thanked him profusely! LOL. I LOVE honesty.  If ya don't know what you're talking about when you talk to a cancer patient, you need to shut up and sit down, and let someone else talk! 

CR1954 said:

I never expected...

I never expected that I would get such compassionate, caring responses.  Along with a great deal of information.  I thank each and every one of you for giving me the opportunity to "bare my soul," as it were. 

All great advice and I will take it to heart.  I have a wonderful oncologist and a urologist whom I trust completely, and I feel lucky to have found them.  So, I know that I can find a new primary too.

Thank you again!

CR

I had just posted that I think it is wise to trust your doctors, it is also wise to be sure you and your doc are on the same page. We are niot just patients. We are health care consumers. Choose carefully. Fox.