A few less drugs

Forgot to share the news... I am on a few less drugs.

When you are on hemodialysis, you lose blood. Some is left in the tubing and the filter after each use. Your body has a hard time replacing the lost blood cells naturally (especially with weakened kidneys) so you are given Epogen each time you are on dialysis by putting it into the lines used to drain and fill your blood. When I switched to PD, they gave me the Epogen as a shot (actually two) once a week. The 2 shots equaled what they normally would give me in a week. Usually about an hour or so after the shots my arms would be stiff and sore. A couple of weeks ago they took me down to 1 shot a week and last week when I got back from vegas I was told my red blood cell count was high enough that I didnt have to take no more Epogen. Matter of fact, red blood cell count is in the normal range (ie working kidneys range).

Also, I am off of my blood pressure medicine I was taking 3 x a week, 4 tablets each time. I have never had blood pressure problems until I went on PD but now back to normal.

So I am now down to 6 prescription pills a day and no shots. I am pretty happy. Also means I only have to go see my dialysis nurse once a month to have my blood work drawn up and to see the Nephrologist instead of the weekly visit for a shot.

No this does not mean my kidneys are working any more than they were. That cant happen.