I have been spent, tired, don't want to get out of the bed.
My body is so tired. But hesitant about dialysis.
Know will feel better with dialysis.
The meds are hurting my stomach even when I eat something before taking.
My left hip is bothering more than ever.
My spine hurt in the midsection of my back. NOW WHAT IS THAT?!
INFO LEARNED: Kidney Disease & Vitamin D Deficiency http://www.livestrong.com/article/255681-kidney-disease-vitamin-d-deficiency/
National AV Fistula Rate Reaches 60.4% in February 2012
I have been having pain in my arm that has the fistula. I was reading one of the forums @ davita.com and learned of some of the probable reasons for the pain and a site with more information.
The LPN said "More than likely, from my experience, the most logical to me, the pain could be caused by stenosis (narrowing of the vessel). The narrowing could be literally anywhere on the side of the AVF. I've had my patients tell me their shoulder hurts, nowhere near the access, and i've sent to them for a fistulagram and there's been a blockage or stenosis in the vessels closer to the shoulder and chest. Believe it or not this can cause pain not only in your shoulder on access side but in or around the access as well. The easiest way to detect stenosis can actually be done by you. Ask your unit for a cheap stethoscope so you can listen to your access at home and before you go to treatment. If there's stenosis in your access, you will hear a high pitched sound. Normal sound will be like a washing machine. You can listen to it here for both fistula and graft. just scroll to the bottom for the audio clip links.
http://www.fistulafirst.org/Healthca...eConcept9.aspx
another reason could be, "steal syndrome" or "blood robbing" which is where blood is being "stolen" from the rest of the arm because of "collaterals" that are forming. Collaterals are extra vessels forming from the access which in turn steals blood from the access which in turn, blood does not distribute throughout the arm like it should. Think of your fistula as a main road/highway, all the little side streets, turn off and exits would be the collaterals that were formed from that major highway/road 
I WAS SO GLAD TO LEARN THA TTHE PAIN WAS REAL & NOT IN MY HEAD!
Who likes t o complain - I DO NOT!
But the surgeon did acknowledge that the vein was narrowing. I had a fistualogram on Monday, May 7th. Was still sick on Tuesday, so nausious. But much better now. I am a little sore from the surgeon ballooning my fistual but am glad that things will get better.
THANK U LORD!
Vitamin D and CKD
EasyLink Access #: 460By Nadiya Lakhani, RD, LD
It's seems that everyone is talking about vitamin D and for a good reason. Long winter months indoors and use of heavy sunscreen are some of the reasons that keep our bodies from absorbing the UV rays necessary to make healthy amounts of vitamin D leading to vitamin D deficiency. But for people with chronic kidney disease, it's not just an issue of vitamin D deficiency but a deficiency in active vitamin D as well.Where Does Vitamin D come from and what does it do?Vitamin D is naturally found in food and is made in the body with the help of sunlight. In addition to sun, foods (fish, egg yolks, and milk) and dietary supplements are other sources of vitamin D. However to work in the body, vitamin D must be activated by the kidneys. It first goes through the liver and then the final stage of activation is completed by the kidneys. Next, this active vitamin D hormone works as a messenger telling the kidneys, bones, and intestines to balance calcium and phosphorus in the blood. Keeping calcium and phosphorus at the right balance is important to keep bones healthy and strong and to keep nerves and muscles working properly. When there is not enough active Vitamin D, the calcium in the body is not absorbed appropriately and bones get weak and brittle.What is Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)?PTH is another messenger needed for calcium and phosphorus balance. PTH is released by the parathyroid glands when 1) active vitamin D levels are too low or 2) when calcium levels are too low or 3) when phosphorus levels are too high. These glands continue releasing PTH until these levels are normal. PTH works by telling the kidneys to filter out extra phosphorus and to activate vitamin D. PTH also works on the bones to add calcium into the blood.What Happens in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?As kidney function declines, the kidneys don't respond to PTH and they are less able to balance calcium and phosphorus or activate vitamin D. Low calcium, high phosphorus, and low active vitamin D levels trigger the parathyroid gland to work "overtime" and continue releasing PTH in the blood.As the parathyroid gland continues to work overtime, this leads to too much PTH or a condition known as Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). SHPT can be harmful to the body and if not treated early can lead to bone pain, nerve problems, itching, weak or brittle bones, calcium build up, and resistance to therapy. SHPT begins early in chronic kidney disease – well before dialysis is needed. So ask your physician about checking your PTH levels. Research shows that calcium and phosphorus levels are normal in CKD but this is only at the expense of PTH. PTH levels should be checked every three months and more frequently as kidney disease progresses.How Should SHPT Be Managed?During the early stages of CKD, the nephrologist may check Vitamin D levels, known as "25-hydroxy" as well as PTH levels and prescribe a vitamin D supplement, such as ergocalciferol or cholecalciferol. This is not active vitamin D. The body still needs to convert it to its active form in order to work properly. The nephrologist may then prescribe active vitamin D, such as Zemplar (Paricalcitol), Hectorol (doxercalciferol) or a branded generic known as Rocaltrol (calcitriol). These medications work to control the buildup of PTH. These are different from ergocalciferol or cholecalciferol (or from over the counter supplements you get at GNC) because they are not active and do not correct active vitamin D deficiency. Zemplar, Hectorol, and Rocaltrol all activate the vitamin D receptor but all have different side effects or impact on minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. Talk to your doctor about which one is best for you.In addition to following your treatment regime, it's also important to follow your diet and know your numbers. You play the most important role in managing your SHPT and preventing bone disease. If you are not yet on dialysis, ask your doctor about medical nutrition therapy or RD counseling. A Registered Dietitian (RD) can talk to you about ways to slow down the progression of kidney disease and manage your SHPT.
About the Author
Nadiya Lakhani, works for Dallas Nephrology Associates as the Pre-Transplant dietitian along with seeing patients with CKD in office practice. Nadiya's background includes working as a Renal Dietitian for Fresenius Medical Care and as Clinical Dietition for various hospitals. She is also active within the renal community and serves as the Regional Representative for the National Kidney Foundation, Council for Renal Nutrition and American Dietetic Association, Renal Practice Group.
Last Updated October 2009
The information on KidneyTimes.com is provided for general information purposes only.
Always consult with your healthcare team before making any changes to your healthcare or nutrition regime.
KidneyTimes.com is a program of Renal Suppot Network.For more information about RSN go to RSNhope.org.
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