Check Up Time

grandma2selena
grandma2selena Member Posts: 199
edited March 2014 in Anal Cancer #1
Well, on the 2nd I have another check up with my Onc. I usually get so anxious at this time going into these check ups. I noticed I have had absolutely no negative thoughts nor any anxieties going into this one. I know everything is going to be just fine, I guess I feel this way since I feel so great.

The only concern I have is my left kidney. I had one blood test come back at my last check up that said my kidney function was not where it should be. I have since had one bout of kidney stones, and off and on kidney pain on the left side. I don't expect it to be anything horrible since they did a scan at ER and found nothing. I will be discussing this with my Onc to see if there is any relation to the Chemo and or Radiation. If anything it is probably from the Chemo, or it could just be that I am going to be prone to kidney stones now.

Many asked does it get better going into these appointments. I say it can get better so long as we listen to our body. Anyway just wish me luck!

Comments

  • Gulamin
    Gulamin Member Posts: 134
    #2
    Lots of love
    going into your checkup!
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #3
    Kidney Function tests
    I, too, have had some abnormal kidney function tests and my internist was quite concerned that I might have chronic kidney disease. However, the last tests came back within normal limits. I believe that's because I drank more water. Dehydration can cause the tests to be out of whack, so my advice is up your water intake. How much you pee is not an indication of liver function, so don't go by that. Lots and lots of water!
  • grandma2selena
    grandma2selena Member Posts: 199
    #4
    mp327 said:

    Kidney Function tests
    I, too, have had some abnormal kidney function tests and my internist was quite concerned that I might have chronic kidney disease. However, the last tests came back within normal limits. I believe that's because I drank more water. Dehydration can cause the tests to be out of whack, so my advice is up your water intake. How much you pee is not an indication of liver function, so don't go by that. Lots and lots of water!

    Water intake
    Yes, I am a water drinker and drink about 48 ounces of water a day, with about 8 more ounces through the night. Don't know how much more I can possibly drink!
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #5
    grandma2selena said:

    Water intake
    Yes, I am a water drinker and drink about 48 ounces of water a day, with about 8 more ounces through the night. Don't know how much more I can possibly drink!

    That's a lot of water!
    Well, forget that I told you to drink more water! If you drank anymore, you'd probably burst! I hope the kidney tests will reverse and go back to within normal limits for you.
  • grandma2selena
    grandma2selena Member Posts: 199
    #6
    mp327 said:

    That's a lot of water!
    Well, forget that I told you to drink more water! If you drank anymore, you'd probably burst! I hope the kidney tests will reverse and go back to within normal limits for you.

    I Said
    I was a water drinker! I always have been. The last time I had a kidney test that was out of the Norm, they retested and it was fine. It's really just been since I developed the kidney stones that I have noticed any pain. I might just be one that is going to be prone to kidney stones for a while. I guess my questions will get answered when I go in.
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #7
    grandma2selena said:

    I Said
    I was a water drinker! I always have been. The last time I had a kidney test that was out of the Norm, they retested and it was fine. It's really just been since I developed the kidney stones that I have noticed any pain. I might just be one that is going to be prone to kidney stones for a while. I guess my questions will get answered when I go in.

    Calcium
    Do you take calcium supplements? I've heard that they can cause kidney stones.
  • grandma2selena
    grandma2selena Member Posts: 199
    #8
    mp327 said:

    Calcium
    Do you take calcium supplements? I've heard that they can cause kidney stones.

    Calcium
    No, well just what is in my multi-vitamin. I know my Onc won't let me stop taking those. I will take them in with me though, maybe the calcium level in them is too high. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #9
    grandma2selena said:

    Calcium
    No, well just what is in my multi-vitamin. I know my Onc won't let me stop taking those. I will take them in with me though, maybe the calcium level in them is too high. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

    You're welcome!
    Let us know what your doctor says. I'm curious because I take more than the recommended dose of calcium daily because I have osteopenia. I've never had a problem with kidney stones, knock on wood.
  • grandma2selena
    grandma2selena Member Posts: 199
    #10
    mp327 said:

    You're welcome!
    Let us know what your doctor says. I'm curious because I take more than the recommended dose of calcium daily because I have osteopenia. I've never had a problem with kidney stones, knock on wood.

    You Got Me Thinking
    About some other things that have changed in my intake since I started developing these stones, well and when I had the one function test come back out of the norm. I take on occasion Methocarbamol for my arthritis in my neck. I was doing a little research, and it so happens that this medication can cause kidney stones. I am wondering if a weakened kidney from the chemo, radiation, and all the dye for the tests, along with the increased calcium, and now the Methocarbamol is creating the problem. I will let you know what my Onc has to say.

    Interesting how now when something isn't just right we begin to look at what we are eating or taking, what has changed in our diet or intake.
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #11
    grandma2selena said:

    You Got Me Thinking
    About some other things that have changed in my intake since I started developing these stones, well and when I had the one function test come back out of the norm. I take on occasion Methocarbamol for my arthritis in my neck. I was doing a little research, and it so happens that this medication can cause kidney stones. I am wondering if a weakened kidney from the chemo, radiation, and all the dye for the tests, along with the increased calcium, and now the Methocarbamol is creating the problem. I will let you know what my Onc has to say.

    Interesting how now when something isn't just right we begin to look at what we are eating or taking, what has changed in our diet or intake.

    Another thing
    I also just thought of this. The contrast that they give you for a CT scan can cause kidney damage. Whenever I have a scan, one of the questions on the questionaire is what my last creatinine level was, which measures kidney function. If it is elevated, they want to know. Just thought I'd give you a heads up on this. And I do believe that lots of things can affect kidney function and lots of other organs.
  • grandma2selena
    grandma2selena Member Posts: 199
    #12
    mp327 said:

    Another thing
    I also just thought of this. The contrast that they give you for a CT scan can cause kidney damage. Whenever I have a scan, one of the questions on the questionaire is what my last creatinine level was, which measures kidney function. If it is elevated, they want to know. Just thought I'd give you a heads up on this. And I do believe that lots of things can affect kidney function and lots of other organs.

    Oh So True
    Yes, that is why when I had the one blood test come back out of the norm my Onc did another blood work up to see where they were before ordering my last scan. He probably should have gone on ahead and flushed my kidneys after the scan like he said he would if my levels were still out of the norm. Then again I can't help but think the damage had already been done from everything else, if there is any damage at all. I might have been forming stones at that time, since it was just a few weeks when I got my first kidney stones from that scan.
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #13
    grandma2selena said:

    Oh So True
    Yes, that is why when I had the one blood test come back out of the norm my Onc did another blood work up to see where they were before ordering my last scan. He probably should have gone on ahead and flushed my kidneys after the scan like he said he would if my levels were still out of the norm. Then again I can't help but think the damage had already been done from everything else, if there is any damage at all. I might have been forming stones at that time, since it was just a few weeks when I got my first kidney stones from that scan.

    Good luck on the 2nd!
    I just wanted to wish you the best on your appt. on Feb. 2nd. May all be well. I am having a PET scan that day, so hopefully, we'll both have a good day that day!
  • grandma2selena
    grandma2selena Member Posts: 199
    #14
    mp327 said:

    Good luck on the 2nd!
    I just wanted to wish you the best on your appt. on Feb. 2nd. May all be well. I am having a PET scan that day, so hopefully, we'll both have a good day that day!

    Wishing you the Same
    I wish you the same, good luck on your PET scan. I feel we both will get good reports, but know you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Let us know what you find out!
  • grandma2selena
    grandma2selena Member Posts: 199
    #15
    mp327 said:

    Good luck on the 2nd!
    I just wanted to wish you the best on your appt. on Feb. 2nd. May all be well. I am having a PET scan that day, so hopefully, we'll both have a good day that day!

    Wishing you the Same
    I wish you the same, good luck on your PET scan. I feel we both will get good reports, but know you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Let us know what you find out! Sorry don't know why this posted twice!
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #16
    grandma2selena said:

    Wishing you the Same
    I wish you the same, good luck on your PET scan. I feel we both will get good reports, but know you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Let us know what you find out!

    Thank you so very much!

    Thank you so very much!
  • lizdeli
    lizdeli Member Posts: 569 Member
    #17
    grandma2selena said:

    Wishing you the Same
    I wish you the same, good luck on your PET scan. I feel we both will get good reports, but know you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Let us know what you find out! Sorry don't know why this posted twice!

    Good luck to you both
    I hope your scans come back with happy news and reason to celebrate! Praying that all is well. I do go on the 21st so I'm not in full scanxiety just yet, but I can feel it start to creep up. I think this is my 4th scan since treatment ended. Maybe 5th, I've lost track.
    Liz
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #18
    lizdeli said:

    Good luck to you both
    I hope your scans come back with happy news and reason to celebrate! Praying that all is well. I do go on the 21st so I'm not in full scanxiety just yet, but I can feel it start to creep up. I think this is my 4th scan since treatment ended. Maybe 5th, I've lost track.
    Liz

    Good luck to you too, Liz!
    Thank you for the good wishes! I send some right back at you for the 21st!
  • grandma2selena
    grandma2selena Member Posts: 199
    #19
    lizdeli said:

    Good luck to you both
    I hope your scans come back with happy news and reason to celebrate! Praying that all is well. I do go on the 21st so I'm not in full scanxiety just yet, but I can feel it start to creep up. I think this is my 4th scan since treatment ended. Maybe 5th, I've lost track.
    Liz

    Good Luck
    I too send you good wishes on the 21st.
  • lizdeli
    lizdeli Member Posts: 569 Member
    #20
    grandma2selena said:

    Good Luck
    I too send you good wishes on the 21st.

    Thanks for the good wishes
    We'll have a virtual celebration in Feb when we all get our good news!!!
    Liz
  • duckyann
    duckyann Member Posts: 159
    #21
    lizdeli said:

    Thanks for the good wishes
    We'll have a virtual celebration in Feb when we all get our good news!!!
    Liz

    Good luck to all of you
    Good luck to all of you having upcoming scans. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers!

    Nancy

Discussion Boards