Fluid Overload

I saw my nephrologist, Dr. Butman, yesterday for my monthly clinic visit. He felt that fluid overload is the root of my problem. I have been selecting my dialysis solution based on my blood pressure, and my blood pressure has been on target, due to the meds I'm taking, so I've selected a regimen that does not extract a lot of fluid. But my weight has been increasing, even though I haven't been eating very much. Dr. Butman guessed that I'm carrying around 15-20 pounds of water weight.

Last night I used a much stronger dialysate, and this morning I was eight pounds lighter. That's a lot to lose in a few hours. I wouldn't recommend it. I feel a little hung over.

The reason why my cough doesn't go away--it's been with me more than two weeks now--is because there is probably water in my lungs. Stagnant water can turn into phlegm. I'm thinking that this all may have started on my plane trip to Canada and then to France. I was exhausted and weak during my time overseas. I thought I was anemic, but I was probably in fluid overload, which puts a strain on the heart, thereby causing weakness and fatigue.

It's not that I don't also have a cold; it's just that the fluid retention doesn't allow me to easily get over the cold. Finally, a theory about my condition that makes sense. Tonight I'm going to take it easy. Five pounds max. That's enough.