great news !!!!!

[BRANDY]

            great news to me .  I am at 19% as of Monday when I did tests. I was 14% and also very scared they were  going to tell me I was to go on dialysis soon.   I really dont know what made the diffrence tho.  My tests have fluctuated alot.  In maybe 5 months they were as following  24% Nov
21% Oct
16% Dec
14% Feb
Now 19% Feb
Why am I fluctuating so badly. I was feeling pretty bad, now I am not feeling to great either, I have to nap every day  sometimes I feel nausea. hair falling out bad, fingernails are awful. But Im not having problems with diabetes.My fistula they placed a week ago is doing fine. It seems to have a hard area at end of scar. I hear it and feel the  thrill sometimes  not allways .  does anyone  know whats up  has anyone else hear done this before?

[twirl]

 

[jbeany]

I remember doing those tests.  The doc told me they fluctuate more because of what the lab does than what is happening with kidney function - apparently they are very sensitive tests.  (Don't know if that's true - it's just what I was told.)

When you get down to that little function, it's more about how you feel than an actual number anyhow.  Being tired and nauseated is expected.  When it gets to be too much to handle, then you should start, regardless of what the % says.  My doc also said that he had patients who started at 20% because they felt so lousy, and some who didn't start until 10% because they still felt okay. 

[staceyand joe92]

My levels were like a rollercoaster for about a year ranging from 19%-12%.  My doc said that sometimes it happens and I should pay attention more to the way I feel instead of  what the test results were. I finally bottomed out at 7% after a bad kidney infection that put me in the hospital. I started dialysis about two weeks later.  I had all the same symptoms you mentioned. I would like to tell you that your hair will stop falling out , but mine hasn't. It has actually gotten worse with dialysis.  The other symptoms went away within a few months of being on dialysis.

[RichardMEL]

BRANDY these tests can and often do fluctuate depending on when they are taken, how long ago you took your meds, your food intake.. all kinds of things. The important thing to remember is they are just numbers and as such a guide. You can have a GFR of 20 and feel terrible and it might be time for dialysis, or like me have a GFR of 5 and feel fine, but it was declared time. Your docs will monitor the numbers but also your general health and wellbeing - I mean if you feel nausea all the time and are throwing up they may start you no matter what the numbers say. Hang in there and remember to not base everything on the numbers..... and don't be surprised it went from 14 to 19.. but still it is encouraging that you're doing OK for now

[BRANDY]

Thanks for your replys. It does simplify it a little better, I think I understand now.

[paddbear0000]

When I hit 17%, my function started fluctuating between 17 and 14% for a while. I think it's very common.

As far as your arm, mine has done the same thing. My doctor said that the swelling can move around. The hard areas may also be a hematoma, which is pooled blood. It will eventually go away.

[phey12]

I'm so thankful that I'm not having that kind of feelings and disease.. So 14% is just common? Good luck, I know you can do it.