The Kidney Doc

My Nephrologist.

The man with the plan.

My insurance requires me to see him once a month.  Our visits are usually short and sweet.  He oversees my PD care and is the person who coordinated my initial foray into dialysis.

When someone is diagnosed with kidney failure, there are often other, related issues to deal with.  Maybe depression, poor appetite, fatigue, blood pressure control issues.  Any number of things can become problems.  The Nephrologist will help you with many of these things.  A PD clinic nurse is usually a direct line to a Nephrologist, so there are a couple of ways to get help if needed.

One thing that really matters to me about my Nephrologist is that he is compassionate.  He may not have personal experience with being a PD patient, but if his goal is to help me live as well as I can, then we are on the same page.  I need someone who looks at me when I talk.  And hears exactly what I am saying.  Someone who will take a moment to come up with a solution to a problem.  Someone who wants the best for me.

My Nephrologist is also willing to compromise with me regarding my care and treatment.  He doesn't rush to judgement about changing medications or dosage when I tell him I might want to try adjusting things with diet.  He's willing to let me have some control. 

Today was my appointment with the kidney doc.  Here's what happened:

Checked in at 9:35AM.  Nurse took readings on my weight, blood pressure, temperature and pulse.  Asked if there were any treatment changes.  There were none. 

Doc met with me at 9:45AM.  Listened to my heart, checked my ankles for any water retention.  Asked some general health questions.  We talked about my PD schedule and prescription.  I told him I had increased the amount of water I was drinking and that my cycler machine was particularly efficient because of this.  PD was going well.  He was happy with my weight and blood pressure.  We talked about the needed increase in protein for my diet. 

Today there were no major concerns.  In the past, if I had a problem with the function of my cycler machine or was worried about my diet, he would address these issues.  We would talk about possible solutions.

He said he was happy with how things were looking and said to call if anything came up before I see him again.  And that was it.

His office is responsive to telephone calls.  I might need to clarify a prescription or ask about changing a dosage.  He reviews my medication schedule and does what needs to be done.

My Nephrologist is also the person who helps coordinate any hospitalizations related to kidney issues.  Before I actually started on PD, I was hospitalized a couple of times.  He was there to confer with hospital staff about my case. 

This is the doctor who will oversee your PD plan.  It's important that you are comfortable asking questions and getting information.  PD is all about self-care.  Having someone who gives you the tools you need to do PD and then supports you as you go along is critical.  Don't be afraid to ask anything and everything.  The longer I have done PD, the more I learn about what I need and what I want.  Having a Nephrologist in my corner to keep me going is one less thing to worry about.

Since my Nephrologist and I spend a lot of time talking about labs, it's probably time to start explaining some of that.  Next post!

Questions?  Please ask!

- Rachael M.