New Scary Setback

[suzyq73176]

As I mentioned last week I had only 3 things left on my to do list to be reactivated on the transplant.  Dentist, OBGYN and cardiac cath.  I figured worse case scenerio I would need some dental work.  After all im only 33.  Well, evidentely im going in for bypass surgery this week.  My calcium has caused issues in the vessels in my heart. Im not only petrified im ticked.

I dont eat red meat or fried foods, not by choice just never like them.  But there are people stuffing their faces with fatty foods, and sitting at burger king, which i never do and they dont have to deal with this at 33.  so unfair

[MooseMom]

You know, I've often thought the same thing...seeing people eat crap and waddle about with their fully functioning kidneys.  I don't blame you for being ticked. 

As for your vascular issues...what is it about your calcium that has caused problems?  Has your calcium been too high and caused deposits?  Oh gosh...I can imagine how frightening that must be.  But I can tell you that my cousin had to have bypass surgery; he was on dialysis for two years after high bp destroyed his kidneys.  After the surgery, he was able to be transplanted and is doing very well.

You've experienced what I call "sandbagging"...being hit by a bad surprise.  Get the damned procedure done, heal up and get on the list.  Boom boom boom...just do it.  Don't think about it...just do it.  Has to be done.  By the end of the week, you'll be done and dusted.  It will be OK.

[Rerun]

Would it be too awkward to ask for a second opinion?

                       

[RightSide]

As for your vascular issues...what is it about your calcium that has caused problems?  Has your calcium been too high and caused deposits?

High PTH will do it.
So will high phosphorus.

In blood tests, the calcium-phosphate product is a good number to watch.  Because in the blood, excess calcium can combine with excess phosphate to form an insoluble crystalline precipitate that gets deposited in the soft tissues.  In the skin, that can cause itching.  In the blood vessels, it causes calcification, sclerosis, etc.

Calcification of the circulatory system is a common problem in all ESRD patients, leading to damage to the heart valves.

[MooseMom]

But surely calcium, phosphorus and PTH levels are regularly checked!?  I understand the effects of ESRD in this regard, but surely good pre-dialysis/dialysis care could prevent these problems, or at least manage them before they result in a patient having to have bypass surgery.  Or is this too simplistic?  Hell, I don't know!

[suzyq73176]

I have been on loads of meds for the calcium phosphate issue but with little help.  I have already had a parathyroidectomy.  But they couldnt find a 4th parathyroid so it stayed.  Now that one is hyperproducing and my pth has climbed again.  I already had calciphylaxis as well and came as close 2 death as you can.  All my other numbers are as normal as they can but this remains my problem.

[RightSide]

I have been on loads of meds for the calcium phosphate issue but with little help. 

Well, at least we found the smoking gun.   

I would strongly urge you to you get a second opinion from another neph, or even from another hospital.  It's vitally important that you get your calcium-phosphate product under good control.  Maybe some other neph or hospital might be able to suggest some other treatment.