Well, the New Year is behind us. As with the past twenty years or so, I went to bed early and was not bothered here in Pecan Plantation by fireworks. Upcoming this week is setting up a couple more doctor appointments, a dialysis lab tomorrow, and assorted other tasks. I’m looking pretty seriously at a 2017 Dodge Ram single-cab Tradesman 4×4 for hauling stuff for the house. We’ll see how that works out. So far my wife’s new 2023 BMW 330Xi is performing very well. I’ve just about got all the bells and whistles under control which is a good thing.
I thought I would include in this blog a video which is below concerning the heart procedure I just underwent for increased clarity. They did enter via my groin area, and I did undergo four hours of laying flat in bed after the procedure. I took the bandage off after 24 hours, showered, and am no worse for wear. In this regard, the human body is a wonderful thing.
Today reminds me of the Fats Domino song “Blue Monday.” See below. I woke up at 0345. Yes, 3:45 AM. I had to leave the house by 0500 to be in Fort Worth at Baylor White Hospital to check in at 0630 for a heart procedure scheduled for 1000. Of course, we all know that these schedules are rarely, if ever, met—they are always late at the patient’s cost. We have NO IDEA what will be found but I’m prepared for the worst – having to have another open heart surgery. At least I should be able to work without having to sit down every whip-stitch to rest. So it’s off to the races we go – in our new BMW BTW. We pulled the trigger Friday and bought a 2023 BME 330Xi with a scant 24K miles on it and perfect in every regard. Boy does it have some electronics? The dash is about 3 1/2 feet wide and full of computer-driven stuff. I’ve got the voice actuation working so we can talk to it, say something like “Hey BMW, roll down the windows” and it’s done.
One of the ailments I briefly touched on that has bailed me out is the potential for something awry in my stomach and/or lining, as indicated by a grey, almost solid material around my catheter port. My dialysis nurse took a swab sample of it and sent it to the lab along with a two-liter static drain from my stomach. Both samples came back negative for common ailments like Peritonitis but indicated some rare bodies that the go-to treatment takes care of. The go-to treatment I am referring to is the kit provided by Fresenius for us to treat our bags of fluid as soon as we suspect something awry. It consists of oral antibiotics, sterile water for mixing, several vials of powdered chemicals for treatment, hypodermics, etc.
In the past I have done all the care and feeding of my port opening. Since this go-around, my wife has been doing it every evening as she can better see, clean, and care for it than I can. She has also taken over the cycler setup and tear down due to my somewhat weakened self which I appreciate deeply. Luckily we had started to tain her for this apriori, so she was ready when needed.
We had a rather quiet Christmas with our son and his family and Netflix football. Still, consider a lease versus buying a different newer BMW for us. Now more leaning toward buy versus lease. For about the same payments we would own the car at the end of three years versus having nothing to show for our lease expenditures.
As we hoist the sails and navigate through the festive waters of 2024, I want to take a moment to reflect on the journey we’ve shared this year. Just like a steadfast ship braving the waves, we’ve faced the currents of life on peritoneal dialysis with resilience and determination.
This Christmas, let us celebrate the spirit of camaraderie that binds us together, much like a crew united on a mission. Each one of us is navigating our own course, but together, we create a fleet of support, encouragement, and understanding.
May your holiday season be filled with warmth, joy, and the love of family and friends. As we gather around our tables, let us cherish the moments that bring us closer, sharing stories of hope and perseverance.
As we look ahead to the new year, remember that every wave we encounter is an opportunity to grow stronger. With grit as our compass, let us continue to navigate the waters of health and wellness with courage and grace.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with fair winds and following seas!
We drive two BMWs. One is primarily mine, a 2019 X5; the other, a 2014 328d, is my wife’s car. Both have been throwing fault codes lately, which concerns my wife. With 75K on her car but no known issues other than a code, her car is in perfect condition. However, to preclude any future problems, we are considering getting her a new BMW. Thus, should we consider a new lease, buy her a new bimmer, or do nothing?
Thus far, I have scoured the internet and found that a new lease for a 330i will generally be about $550 per month for 36 months with about $4500 upfront. What’s better about a BMW lease compared to a Mercedes is that BMW provides all normal maintenance for 20K miles or 2 years while Mercedes wants you go buy a maintenance agreement for several thousand dollars in addition to the cost of the lease. I have also filled out the online forms for both The Lease Outlet and D&M Leasing to see what they have to offer in the way of leasing. So far D&M has texted me and it seems they offer both a 24-month and 36-month lease and also lease used BMWs. I have a call scheduled with them later in the day, Monday so we’ll see what they have to offer.
All of this is part and parcel of us getting our collective acts together for the future. My wife, understandably, wants a car under her that she can trust. I want one with which she doesn’t have to concern herself with the maintenance thus we’re looking into a new car lease. Up to now, I have accomplished all of the maintenance on her 2014 including oil and filter changes, brakes, etc. That is no longer something I can easily accomplish with my degraded physical being. Such is life.
It’s been a rough couple of days – no, almost a week. To add to my woes, I developed an infection in my catheter port which at first was treated with Cephalexin from the kit Fresenius provides us for such treatment. My dialysis nurse also administered me the full bag treatment.
The antibiotic treatment “treated” me to every side effect listed for it as follows:
I was completely out of it for several days. Of course, the complexity of my ailments was only compounded by the other ailments going on. We finally got everything sorted out – I am no longer taking this antibiotic, and my port is slowly improving, so I think we are coming out of this phase of “stayin’ alive.”
Over the past week or so my wife has been working with my cardiologist’s group out of Fort Worth to nail down what is going on with my forthcoming heart procedure(s). She finally cornered them and we now know I am scheduled. I am to be at Baylor White at 0630 *That’s right, 6:30 AM) on 12/30/2024 for the procedure at 1000. If I don’t have a stent or stents I should be dismissed and sent home that day. They did not say what happens if ballons are involved by I assume the same – I will be dismissed. This past Friday I went to Quest and had labs drawn for them. They require labs to be accomplished within 20 days of their procedures.
In advance of this, I am doing better, but I still have to rest after walking a short distance, and I have to pace myself otherwise. I’m not even on the same planet physically as in the past, even more recently. Hopefully, this procedure will be able to repair something and at least let me get back on the road again. I’ve got a yard to clean up after the first killing frost and other projects in mind that deserve my attention. But remember the saying, “Adversity is the prosperity of the great!”
The title says it all. Since I became ill, it seems I have had to pee all the time over the past week or so. Yesterday, I had labs at my GP for my scheduled annual physical on Friday, and try as I might, hardily a dribble resulted. This is not something I’ve experienced before nor it is something I know to be associated with peritoneal dialysis. To check out research in this area, I turned to the Dr Sage bot on Poe and obtained the following results from which you can see for yourselves it IS quite common:
Yes, it can be normal for a male on peritoneal dialysis to experience a sensation of needing to urinate frequently, even if little or nothing comes out. This symptom can be attributed to several factors:
Possible Explanations: 1. Fluid Overload: Patients on peritoneal dialysis may sometimes retain fluid due to inadequate ultrafiltration. This excess fluid can lead to increased pressure on the bladder, causing a sensation of urgency. 2. Bladder Irritation: The presence of retained fluids or infections, such as urinary tract infections), can irritate the bladder, leading to frequent urges to urinate. 3. Decreased Bladder Capacity: Patients with kidney disease may have a reduced bladder capacity or dysfunction, leading to frequent sensations of needing to void. 4. Residual Kidney Function: If the patient has some residual kidney function, they may still produce a small amount of urine, which can contribute to the urge to urinate, even if the volume is insufficient. 5. Psychological Factors: Anxiety and stress related to their medical condition can also manifest as increased urinary urgency. Considerations: Assessment: It is essential for the patient to communicate these symptoms to their healthcare provider. A thorough evaluation may be needed to rule out any underlying conditions, such as urinary tract infections or bladder dysfunction. Monitoring Fluid Intake: Keeping track of fluid intake and output can help manage the sensation of urgency and assist in evaluating overall fluid balance. Conclusion: While this sensation can be common among those on peritoneal dialysis, it is important to investigate persistent or worsening symptoms to ensure that there are no other underlying issues that need to be addressed. If you have further questions or need clarification on any points, feel free to ask!
First, I’m on track to recuperate completely from my ailments. Saturday night for the first time in over a week I more or less slept through the night with only two Cycler alarms. My appetite is coming back, I’m picking up more of the tasks having to do with dialysis, eating better, and seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Some things learned from this ordeal:
Cycler Alarms: I had been going along doing fine with the Cycler several nights in a row without alarms. Then suddenly I wasn’t and short of getting up was not able to silence them. The bed that we use is actually two XL beds side by side that make up a California King-sized bed that also articulates at the head and foot and vibrates etc. I tried elevating the head and hey, it worked. The alarms went away. Now I’m tweaking the system for the optimum angle that also supports a restful night.
In preparation for my upcoming surgery, we had started training my wife Linda on setting everything up for dialysis. While she attended initially training with me, she has never been in a position where she had to do setups on her own. It’s a good thing we started this earlier because for several nights she had to all of the setups on her own as I could barely stand up in front of the Cycler.
In times past, I have never been subject to any of the side effects of medicine. Boy, when it came on did it ever! I’m on a strict take my blood pressure in the AM which I do anyway. and if the upper # is 105 or less, do not take the prescribed dose; this morning it was 95 so I didn’t. The moral of this story is that bodies change and we have to be sensitive to what new meds might bring as unexpected.
As dialysis patients, we might experience smooth sailing for months or even years as I did, only to hit a wall. At this point, although previously not required, we need a strong support system to carry us over rocks and shoals.
We think we may have uncovered the recent cause of my dizzy spells which include, on occasion, passing out, and a weird desire to vomit although feeling ok otherwise.
In preparation for my heart procedure at the end of the month, my cardiologist prescribed two additional drugs, one of which is Ranolazine TAB 500MG ER. See for yourself what Perplexity has to say. This may be the cause.
Ranolazine is an extended-release medication primarily used to treat chronic angina (chest pain) in patients with coronary artery disease. The 500 MG ER (extended-release) tablet is one of the common formulations of this drug. Here’s a detailed overview of ranolazine, with a focus on its side effects, particularly dizziness and vomiting:
Mechanism of Action
Ranolazine works by affecting sodium and calcium channels in the heart, which helps improve blood flow to the heart muscle and reduces the workload on the heart[1]. This mechanism allows it to alleviate angina symptoms without significantly affecting heart rate or blood pressure.
Side Effects
While ranolazine can be effective in managing chronic angina, it may cause various side effects. Two of the more common and notable side effects are dizziness and vomiting:
Dizziness
Dizziness is one of the most frequently reported side effects of ranolazine:
Prevalence: Approximately 6.2% of patients taking ranolazine experience dizziness[2].
Characteristics: The dizziness may manifest as a light-headed feeling or a sensation of spinning (vertigo)[1][3].
Onset: It can occur shortly after starting the medication or after increasing the dose[3].
Severity: Dizziness is often dose-related, meaning higher doses may increase the likelihood or severity of this side effect[3].
Management: If dizziness persists or becomes severe, patients should consult their healthcare provider. In some cases, dose adjustment may be necessary[1].
Vomiting
While less common than dizziness, vomiting is another potential side effect of ranolazine:
Prevalence: Vomiting is less frequent than nausea, which affects about 4.4% of patients[2].
Characteristics: Vomiting may be accompanied by nausea and can range from mild to severe[1][3].
Risk factors: High doses of ranolazine can increase the likelihood of vomiting[3].
Management: If vomiting persists or is severe, medical attention should be sought. Staying hydrated and taking the medication with food may help alleviate this side effect[1].
Other Common Side Effects
Besides dizziness and vomiting, other frequently reported side effects of ranolazine include:
Headache (5.5% of patients)
Constipation (4.5% of patients)
Nausea (4.4% of patients)[2]
Serious Side Effects
While less common, ranolazine can potentially cause more serious side effects, including:
QT prolongation (a heart rhythm disorder)
Kidney problems
Allergic reactions[1][3]
Precautions and Interactions
Ranolazine interacts with various medications and should not be taken with certain drugs, including some antifungals, HIV medications, and antibiotics[1]. It’s also important to avoid consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking ranolazine, as this can increase the drug’s concentration in the blood[6].
Dosage and Administration
The typical starting dose of ranolazine is 500 mg twice daily, which may be increased to 1000 mg twice daily as needed. The medication should be taken with or without food and swallowed whole, not crushed or chewed[1].
In conclusion, while ranolazine 500 MG ER can be an effective treatment for chronic angina, patients should be aware of potential side effects, particularly dizziness and vomiting. It’s crucial to follow the prescribed dosage and report any persistent or severe side effects to a healthcare provider promptly.
