Cellulitis, Again (or Diabetes Sucks)

[REP]

Last month, my urologist started me on a new medicine to try to treat my chronic kidney infection. I started taking it, without noticing that it contained an NSAID, which is Not a Good Thing with me being nephrotic, and my legs became so swollen I cold barely walk, and of course the skin of my left leg, which has venous stasis, cracked. The other night I noticed that one of the cracks wasn't just not healing, it was getting bigger and developing a red, puffy corona. This time, though, I relaized what it was before it became necrotizing, so at least I don't have to go to the Wound Clinic daily this time.

My peripheral neuropathy is worse, but at least mine is in form of the "asleep' pins-and-needles numbness feeling rather than horrible pain. And yet my HbA1c has never been above 6% since I was diagnosed (and I became diabetic through steroids, so it wasn't elevated all that long, either!).

Argh. Well, I'm sure it could be worse.

[siligut]

1. Hang in there

Really no choice but to hang in there, but I wanted to be encouraging. I work with people with diabetes, we are always looking for ways to improve lifestyle and health.

Some drs are suggesting pts use Alpha Lipoic acid for neuropathy now. It helps with circulation and glucose metabolism. It is an OTC nutrient. You know to elevate your legs every chance you get to help venous return.

Have you heard of anodyne therapy? It uses light to treat neuropathy, usually done through physical therapy, ask your doc, most insurance pays for it. It takes 20 or so treatments, is generally accepted and people who have used it tell me they like it/it works.

Don't know if you tolerate vitamin C, but 2 grams a day will acidify your urine and microbes don't do well in an acidic environment. Also Byetta is one of the newer DM meds, it is injected, little tiny pen and comes with a higher co-pay, however, people lose wt with it and have better A1Cs, though sounds like your A1C doesn't need much help.

[REP]

2. Had To Laugh

I have a urinary pH of 4.5 - how much more acidic should it be? Did I mention I'm a consecutive stone former, too - I form APATITE in that acidic environment. Vitamin C ain't gonna help.

Pretty much I have this ongoing kidney infection because I'm very nephrotic (10g+/day*) from primary idiopathic FSGS (focal segmental glomerulosclerosis). That kind of heavy proteinuria, plus the insult to my immune system from kidney disease (I'm stage 3 now) and diabetes means I'm just prone to infection. Unfortunately, my kidneys are now scarred from the infection, which is probably why my GFR is down.


Just had another HbA1c - still normal for non-diabetics. Can't do better than that!

*yes, GRAMS, not milligrams

[siligut]

3. Trials; it seems you have a few.

Renal problems are tough, damned if you do and damned if you don't. If I think of anything I will get back to you.