Hi,
In the fall 06, I got blood work back at the GP's office with one flag for kidneys and another marker in high normal range. The PA at the GP's office said I had to see a kidney specialist.
I didn't get into see the kidney guy until last week. And I didn't get to see him.
I saw the PA and she annoyed me. She wants to rerun the blood work because it is borderline, send me for a sonogram in case the kidneys are in the wrong place or something.
If the sono is fine and the blood work is the same (borderline), she wants to put me on a heart med called Altace.
The logic is that kidney problems cause hypertension.
I pointed to my chart and told her I already take a heart med off label for a mood stabilzer. She said that I could take her med too, not a problem to be on two heart meds.
EXCUSE ME. IT IS A PROBLEM.
I hate the side effects of the Verapamil that I am on. I am always tired and draggy and slightly depressed. It has a low side effect profile compared to the other official mood stabilzers, but geeze already, the side effects from Verapamil are bad enough. And what person would put me on another heart med when my blood pressue is fine -- around 117/78 ?????
The side effects of the Altace would effect my mood too. This is my issue.
Heart meds have side effects. Don't BS me. The side effects of the Verapamil are strong enough to wipe out the mixed moods and horrible anxiety I used to get.
I'm not going to agree to take a new heart med.
And, well, she was very annoying.
I'm going to call her office and ask to see the physician at my next appointment.
And I have been seeing my dr of chinese med so that the blood work will be within range next time.
My pdoc/neuro checked my blood pressure in his office today and said I am not hypertensive (the Verapamil works, no kidding). He also told me that the klonopin I take gets processed in the liver, not the kidney.
He was pretty sure that I don't have kidney problems. When he said it, I felt like he was being cute and supportive. But afterwards, I was annoyed. He is diagnosising me without looking at my kidney bloodwork -- at least the PA had a chart in front of her. Still, I can hope that he has some kind of intuition or somthing and that I am fine. That is what I pray for.
Mari