How do I get through a nephrectomy and live with just one kidney?!
Question: About 2 months ago, I was placed in the hospital after the biopsy they did on my left kidney went wrong. The needle went too far and punctured an artery in my kidney. It took alot of time and procedures to get the kidney to stop bleeding and functioning well again. Well, recently after having a renal scan, my docor told me that my kidney isn't functioning well at all. In fact, he said that I have a very poor functioning left kidney. He said that the wise decision is to remove it sense there is too much damage done to try and repair it. He said that my right kidney is in good health though. He also said that sense my blood pressure is stablized and I'm not in any pain, that he would want to wait to remove it due to the scar tissue around the kidney from all the procedures I had done in the hospital. I know that people live normal everyday lives with just one kidney. I guess my question is what will I need to change in my life to make sure that I am taking care of my last kidney?
Answers: About 2 months ago, I was placed in the hospital after the biopsy they did on my left kidney went wrong. The needle went too far and punctured an artery in my kidney. It took alot of time and procedures to get the kidney to stop bleeding and functioning well again. Well, recently after having a renal scan, my docor told me that my kidney isn't functioning well at all. In fact, he said that I have a very poor functioning left kidney. He said that the wise decision is to remove it sense there is too much damage done to try and repair it. He said that my right kidney is in good health though. He also said that sense my blood pressure is stablized and I'm not in any pain, that he would want to wait to remove it due to the scar tissue around the kidney from all the procedures I had done in the hospital. I know that people live normal everyday lives with just one kidney. I guess my question is what will I need to change in my life to make sure that I am taking care of my last kidney?
There are at least 6 ways to protect your kidneys:
(1) Maintain normal blood pressure
(2) follow steps to avoid diabetes (exercise, maintain weight, and avoid large amounts of sugar)
(3) Minimize or avoid medications know to harm kidneys - ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen, certain antibiotics; always tell doctors you have only one kidney when they prescribe medicine; and double-check with a pharmacist to make sure there is no kidney risk
(4) Limit the amounts of protein, potassium, and sodium in your diet;
(5) Watch out for urinary tract infections - Bladder infections are fairly common - try to avoid them by drinking acidic beverages, and if you get a bladder infection, get it treated immediately.
(6) Stay hydrated
Wow - I'm sorry about what is happening to you.
But you need to get some good information. I would talk to another doctor and get a second opinion if you're unsure of what your doctor is telling you.
Then you need to talk with a nutritionist, preferably an RDA (someone with a degree - not just someone in a vitamin store) and see what you need to do from a nutritional standpoint to keep yourself healthy.
It's true, you can live a good healthy long life with only one kidney, but you need to take care of yourself.
Good luck.
keep your blood pressure under control follow a healthy diet so you don't become diabetic
Honey so sorry, I hope you are suing them! My mother has lived with one kidney since she was 7 years old, she is almost 70! You just have to watch what you eat. Drink lots of water. Make sure you do not eat too much grease. That is just bad for you anyway. You will be fine. A lot of people live with one kidney. I wouldn't trust those doctors to touch me again though. Can you go to a different hospital to get the kidney removed? Good luck I will keep you in my prayers. :)