I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: RightSide on September 24, 2009, 08:00:08 PM

Title: My bones are back! Yay!
Post by: RightSide on September 24, 2009, 08:00:08 PM
Last year at this time, when I first diagnosed with ESRD, my parathyroid (PTH) level was 1204.  It had sucked the calcium right out of my bones, causing me severe pains in my spine and hip joints. 

I was having terrible problems climbing stairs.  Even walking was tough.  So was getting in and out of a car.  And on more than one occasion, my legs just gave out and I would collapse onto the ground.  At that time, the nurses told me I needed to get a cane.

But, a year later, with all that Zemplar and Vitamin D2 and calcium I've been taking, my PTH is down to only 46!!!  And with that decline, my bones have been getting stronger.  The pains in my joints are gone.  I can climb stairs again without even holding onto the railing.  And my neighbors have complimented me on having "a new spring in my step."  I now take long walks just for the exercise--without a cane.

It looks like the damage wasn't permanent, and my joints feel better than they have in quite a while.  The itching which had plagued me has gotten much better too.

I'm just so glad to report some GOOD news for a change!!!
Title: Re: My bones are back! Yay!
Post by: Loretta on September 24, 2009, 08:23:09 PM
This is good news.   :flower;
Title: Re: My bones are back! Yay!
Post by: BigSky on September 24, 2009, 09:19:50 PM
Not to burst your bubble but your pth is now too low.

Cutoff I think is 150.  Below that it puts dialysis patients at risk for adynamic bone disease.

Zach posted something on this I think some time back.
Title: Re: My bones are back! Yay!
Post by: thegrammalady on September 24, 2009, 09:50:56 PM
i just love good news  :)
Title: Re: My bones are back! Yay!
Post by: Jean on September 24, 2009, 11:39:35 PM
Wonderful News :cheer: I am happy for you.
Title: Re: My bones are back! Yay!
Post by: Inara on September 25, 2009, 02:04:10 AM
I'm so happy for you!!!   :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:
Title: Re: My bones are back! Yay!
Post by: Zach on September 25, 2009, 05:56:24 AM
Not to burst your bubble but your pth is now too low.

Cutoff I think is 150.  Below that it puts dialysis patients at risk for adynamic bone disease.

Zach posted something on this I think some time back.

Standard PTH levels for a person on hemodialysis range between 150 pg/mL and 300 pg/mL.

And remember, too low a PTH (less than 100 pg/ml [11.0 pmol/L) is not good either-- for it can lead to Adynamic Bone Disease.
http://www.kidney.org/professionals/kdoqi/guidelines_bone/Guide13C.htm
Title: Re: My bones are back! Yay!
Post by: willowtreewren on September 25, 2009, 06:58:23 AM
I'm glad that you have been able to bring this down. My husband is still trying to get his PTH in the correct range.

Ironic that you will now have to bring it up a bit, eh?

Aleta
Title: Re: My bones are back! Yay!
Post by: RightSide on September 29, 2009, 05:10:14 PM
Not to burst your bubble but your pth is now too low.

Cutoff I think is 150.  Below that it puts dialysis patients at risk for adynamic bone disease.

Zach posted something on this I think some time back.
I know that.

My neph has now stopped my Zemplar and Vitamin D2.  It should take only a month or so for my PTH to rise back above 100.

It's impossible to keep PTH absolutely precisely level from month to month.  I'm just glad it's out of the stratospheric range of 500-1200.
Title: Re: My bones are back! Yay!
Post by: RightSide on September 29, 2009, 05:12:51 PM
I'm glad that you have been able to bring this down. My husband is still trying to get his PTH in the correct range.

Ironic that you will now have to bring it up a bit, eh?

Aleta
Raising it higher will be a piece of cake!   ;D

Well, it's like that doctor said to me once (which I posted):

It is like surfing the Wave of Life.  You lean a little one way on your surfboard, then you lean the other way, all the while trying to maintain correct balance dynamically.
Title: Re: My bones are back! Yay!
Post by: Zach on September 29, 2009, 08:47:28 PM

Well, it's like that doctor said to me once (which I posted):

It is like surfing the Wave of Life.  You lean a little one way on your surfboard, then you lean the other way, all the while trying to maintain correct balance dynamically.

:2thumbsup;