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Author Topic: Could it be phosphorus?  (Read 4232 times)
renalpenguin
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« on: January 24, 2010, 09:41:29 AM »

I'm pre-dialysis and at my last blood draw (3 weeks ago or so) my phosphorus was 7.2. I started reduced phosphorus eating and taking Tums and my only symptom (itchy red eyes) disappeared after a few days. I thought that meant my phosphorus had gone down a little (I still pee). But now I have body wide itching. It's not intense (one light itch takes care of it in one spot) but then it comes back in another spot. Does that mean high phosphorus again, or since it is so mild could it mean something else? (My itchy red eyes are gone.)
 :thx;
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August 2007- Diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome
September 2007- Kidney Biopsy found FSGS
December 15, 2009- Transplant Evaluation
January 7, 2010- I'm on the list!
February 4, 2010- Fistula and PD Catheter Surgery
March 8, 2010- Begin CCPD; My cousin will be my donor in June!
June 22, 2010- I got a kidney from my awesome cousin!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
YLGuy
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« Reply #1 on: January 24, 2010, 10:25:54 AM »

Yes, it could be high phosphorus.  Do you limit your phosphorus in your diet?  Do you use binders?
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kellyt
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« Reply #2 on: January 24, 2010, 10:35:17 AM »

Itchy skin can be high Phos.  How many Tums do you take?  And are you taking them after every meal?
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1993 diagnosed with glomerulonephritis.
Oct 41, 2007 - Got fistula placed.
Feb 13, 2008 - Activated on "the list".
Nov 5, 2008 - Received living donor transplant from my sister-in-law, Etta.
Nov 5, 2011 - THREE YEARS POST TRANSPLANT!  :D
renalpenguin
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« Reply #3 on: January 24, 2010, 10:42:21 AM »

I take one Tum just before I eat anything. I try to keep between 500-1000 mg of phosphorus a day and I don't eat more than one really high phosphorus food a day (4 ounces milk or 1 ounce of cheese). I know itching can be a sign of high phosphorus, but I've always thought it's a very intense itch (my dietitian said it's the kind you feel like you have to itch and it's so bad it can wake you up at night... mine is mild compared to that).
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August 2007- Diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome
September 2007- Kidney Biopsy found FSGS
December 15, 2009- Transplant Evaluation
January 7, 2010- I'm on the list!
February 4, 2010- Fistula and PD Catheter Surgery
March 8, 2010- Begin CCPD; My cousin will be my donor in June!
June 22, 2010- I got a kidney from my awesome cousin!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
*kana*
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« Reply #4 on: January 24, 2010, 11:58:44 AM »

Whoa!  That is a very high phos level so I wouldn't be surprised if you were itchy all over. 
« Last Edit: January 24, 2010, 11:59:45 AM by *kana* » Logged

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Brightsky69
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« Reply #5 on: January 24, 2010, 01:34:30 PM »

Sounds like Phos...mine was 7.1 and I was itching like crazy. It would wake me up at night. I used a round hair brush to scratch all over. No more itching..I take my binders no mater what.
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Transplant June 11, 1991 (1st time) my mom's kidney
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murf
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« Reply #6 on: January 24, 2010, 05:02:56 PM »

Do you suffer from night cramps? Another sign of high phosphates.
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kellyt
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« Reply #7 on: January 24, 2010, 05:09:51 PM »

I agree that 7 is really high.
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1993 diagnosed with glomerulonephritis.
Oct 41, 2007 - Got fistula placed.
Feb 13, 2008 - Activated on "the list".
Nov 5, 2008 - Received living donor transplant from my sister-in-law, Etta.
Nov 5, 2011 - THREE YEARS POST TRANSPLANT!  :D
Malibu
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« Reply #8 on: January 24, 2010, 05:58:20 PM »

It affects everyone differently, you might just have a minor itch...
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RightSide
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« Reply #9 on: January 24, 2010, 06:02:21 PM »

There are several causes of itching, including:

1.  A high calcium-phosphorus product:  If both your calcium and phosphorus are elevated to the point that the product of one multiplied by the other is large, the calcium and phosphorus can combine in your bloodstream to form insoluble crystals that collect in your skin and drive you batty with itching.

2. A high parathyroid hormone (PTH) level.   That was my problem. And there wasn't anything much I could do about it; I just had to wait till the meds my neph prescribed lowered my PTH.  And that took months.

3.  An allergic reaction to the heparin or to the dialyzer or to the tubing or any of the chemicals used.
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Zog
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« Reply #10 on: January 28, 2010, 09:30:31 PM »

My wife and her secret Pepsi and cheese addictions have gotten her phosphorus up to 9 or 10.  She never complains about itching.  She used to have really bad red eyes, dry skin and hair when she was on incenter.  She hasn't had that with short daily at home, although her phosphorus has been high and her PTH was in the thousands for about 2 years.  She just had a parathyroidectomy.  I hope labs improve.
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My wife is JDHartzog. In 1994 she lost her kidneys to complications from congenital VUR.
1994 Hydronephrosis, Double Nephrectomy, PD
1994 1st Transplant
1996 PD
1997 2nd Transplant
1999 In Center Hemo
2004 3rd Transplant
2007 Home Hemo with NxStage
2008 Gave birth to our daughter (the first NxStage baby?)
RichardMEL
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« Reply #11 on: January 28, 2010, 10:05:44 PM »

Can't be a secret addiction if you know about it!  :rofl;

The thing is if she wants to have a pepsi or a cheese plate - if she takes one or two binders with it then it should be (mostly) OK. When I have a craving for something bad like that I pop a Renagel and my phos figures are in the lower range of normal....
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3/1993: Diagnosed with Kidney Failure (FSGS)
25/7/2006: Started hemo 3x/week 5 hour sessions :(
27/11/2010: Cadaveric kidney transplant from my wonderful donor!!! "Danny" currently settling in and working better every day!!! :)

BE POSITIVE * BE INFORMED * BE PROACTIVE * BE IN CONTROL * LIVE LIFE!
Zog
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« Reply #12 on: January 29, 2010, 05:49:38 AM »

I've seen the Pepsi cans in the recycle bin.  :secret;  Too her credit she switched to Mountain Dew for her caffeine fix.

She has taken Tums, Renegel and is currently on Fosrenol.  She was spoiled on daily dialysis for 4 hours while pregnant.  She had low phosphorus numbers for months during that time, but that changed when she went back to 2 hours x 6/week.  I am hoping her surgery inspires her to remember to take her Fosrenol and limit her intake.

If I could only get her to like coffee or tea. 
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My wife is JDHartzog. In 1994 she lost her kidneys to complications from congenital VUR.
1994 Hydronephrosis, Double Nephrectomy, PD
1994 1st Transplant
1996 PD
1997 2nd Transplant
1999 In Center Hemo
2004 3rd Transplant
2007 Home Hemo with NxStage
2008 Gave birth to our daughter (the first NxStage baby?)
RichardMEL
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« Reply #13 on: January 29, 2010, 06:26:40 AM »

Coffee contains potassium (tea has less) and if you have milk or cream well that's phos anyway.. You're damned if you do and you're damned if you do it seems.

It's difficult when someone you see not following the rules properly and potentially doing more harm to themselves that is something that can be controlled by meds or choice. Still it is a choice and we're responsible for ours. I know I can have a coke on occasion if I take my binders responsibly (and the labs prove it :) ). Lucky me! I know it's harder for others.

On the bright side - she's using the recycle bin!!! :)
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3/1993: Diagnosed with Kidney Failure (FSGS)
25/7/2006: Started hemo 3x/week 5 hour sessions :(
27/11/2010: Cadaveric kidney transplant from my wonderful donor!!! "Danny" currently settling in and working better every day!!! :)

BE POSITIVE * BE INFORMED * BE PROACTIVE * BE IN CONTROL * LIVE LIFE!
Bub
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« Reply #14 on: February 01, 2010, 08:25:48 AM »

I have struggled for a long time with high phosphorus.  7 was the LOWEST its been in several months.  The itching was terrible and turned into small sores on my back. Once the phosphorus is deposited under the skin, dropping your phosphorus numbers does not reduce the itching right away.  It takes months. So its much better to never let it get out of control.
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