Medical Issues 5/31/2020

I haven’t done one of these posts since early March so here is an update.

• ESRD: no real changes except one of my potential kidney donors was permanently rejected by UCLA Transplant Center
• Dialysis access: fistula is working sometimes; they’ve started using 16-gauge needles so we can run the machine at 350 mL/min but it’s still hit and miss on good needle insertions
• Cardiac rehab: on hold since COVID-19 pandemic; the center is partially open but I’m not going until my arrhythmia issues are resolved; also UCLA has placed me back on the active transplant list so I really don’t have a reason to continue the program
• Atrial flutter: this is new; experiencing tachycardia and potential a-fib; went through cardioversion and now need a cardiac ablation surgery
• Peripheral neuropathy: can’t really tell anymore so it probably wasn’t the amiodarone and all that acupuncture didn’t help either; I did over-massage one area which probably caused a large blood blister to form recently
• Back pain and pressure in chest: the adjustable bed has been a lifesaver; pain is mostly gone but pressure and difficulty breathing is a bit worse when sleeping on back or left side
• Minimal urine production: no improvement; actually, probably even less daily urine production if that’s possible
• Insomnia: still can’t sleep but now mainly due to chest pressure and coughing; mostly gave up and making up sleep with multiple naps during the day but really messing with work schedule
• Dental issues: on hold since COVID-19; cracked upper front teeth biting some ice cubes so more careful with hard foods; waiting for the dentist office to fully open
• Endocrinologist: appointment postponed until later due to COVID-19; stopped all diabetic medicine for now after talking to primary care doctor
• Lump in left leg: no change
• Constipation: mostly okay with some diarrhea due to new arrhythmia medicine; stopped taking Senokot daily

So still pretty poor health. With the new heart rate problem, I can barely walk any distances without breathing hard. Surprisingly, I was okay on the treadmill until the blister stopped that too. I did have to go to urgent care to get the blister drained and also saw a podiatrist later who said it’s healing fine.

The biggest disappointment is probably the permanent rejection of my kidney donor. The possibility of a quick transplant carried me mentally post-heart surgery but I’m back at looking at indefinite dialysis. I’m afraid that when a kidney is finally available, either from a new live donor or deceased donor, I will be too sick for the operation. A young nephew in Canada has volunteered to be tested which is totally generous and unexpected. Just need to figure out how to coordinate the process and any insurance payments.

Life sucks… then you die.