After more than a month of hibernation, I finally made it to my rheumatologist for my follow up check up. He asked me to be back on December 18th but circumstances prevented me from seeing him then.
Anyhow, I went straight to him after my pm duty. After a rough night, losing my cell phone to a pickpocket, having my bag slashed and having 2 level 2 patients one of which almost coded.
I told my doctor that I have stopped taking all my medications except for the steroids and calcium supplement. I told him that I tried to observe if there would be improvement in my crea-protein ratio, proteinuria and hematuria and cholesterol without popping any pills.
He was not pleased to learn about it. He told me that just because the lab results has showed decrease in abnormal values, it does not mean that non-compliance to medication contributed to it. In fact, he emphasized that I may not be manifesting symptoms of exacerbations because the potency of my medications is still there and once it has drained out, I could expect for the worse.
Seriously, it did not scare me at all. I am too tired of living on medications. I just let him scribble prescriptions and asked me to go back after two weeks with my latest lab work up results.
I went out, with strong faith that God will be my greatest healer. I will leave it all up to him. I will just continue to be on steroids and simvastatin. I will also maintain my sambong tea and buko juice intake.
God, be my healer.

I feel so low that I am not able to feel ecstatic checking on result of my latest lab work up. They are as follow:

I have stopped taking in any medication except for the steroids. This is so far the greatest lab results I have gotten since I have gotten ill. A reason to celebrate but I am seriously not in the festive mood. I am about to see my rheumatologist and I know he will not be happy with the sudden withdrawal from the medication. I just hope that he would approve of me getting an alternative way of keeping up with my medical condition.

I have gotten the lab results. While I am pleased to learn that my urine protein and hematuria levels have gone down, they are not still normal. For my blood works, everything was normal except for my cholesterol level. I admit my diet has something to do with it because during the holiday season, I ate like there was no tomorrow. I was thinking, I will just make it up when the holidays are over. I was thinking of eating healthy and doing dome cardio. Using weight loss products will be at the bottom of my list.

Right after my nephro consult, I went straight to see my rheumatologist.
As usual, he greeted me with welcoming smile stating that he thinks of me (of course in a doctor-client sense).
Before I was let into his room, his fellow interviewed me. Then she presented my case to Dr. Lichauco, the consultant.
He was surprised to see that my protein surged and became concered about my high LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) or the bad cholesterol and my massive proteinuria.
He began telling me that we need to decrease my steroids to which I replied that my nephro actually increased the dosage along with CellCept’s dosage. He stopped for a while, and told me that the steroids aim to cure the inflammation. I knew he explained to me the mechanism of action of CellCept and what it actually targets but I think I am too bombarded with the information that he has been sharing to me. In the end he told me that the “new” care of plan my nephro has made for me is okay and he told me that doctors in St. Luke’s are usually in coordination in terms of patient’s care especially if there’s a conflict. This one I doubted because I was sensing of a tension between them.
Dr. Lichauco asked if I am taking anything to lower my cholesterol and I told him that I stopped taking Ezetrol because of the myalgia and arthralgia that I am experiencing. The myalgia stopped when I stopped taking it while the arthlagia was alleviated. He asked me if it is okay if he will ask me to take another anticholesterol medication that belongs to the family of Crestor (Rosuvastatin) but with a milder side effect – Simvastatin. He said that he is worried about my high cholesterol level and diet modification is not enough.
He also explained to me by asking the fellow the connection of proteinuia to high cholesterol level. I waste protein in my urine particularly the lipoprotein that has direct relationship to my increased LDL.
Then they proceeded with the head-to-toe assessment. This is what I really appreciate more about this doctor because he and his fellow performed the four modalities of physical assessment (inspection, percussion, palpation and auscultation). My BP was also taken and the fellow got 100/70 mmHg. I did not bring up the BP that my nephro has gotten earlier because my BP is within normal range.
During the assessment, he asked me if I was taking calcium and I said I am taking 500 mg. He told me to double the dosage but take each tablet separately. Another good thing about this doctor is that he gives instruction on how medications should be taken.
Finally, he asked me to come back on the 26th because he will be out of the country and will not be back by then. He did not order for any other lab tests as he saw the ones ordered by my nephro.
Prayers, prayers, prayers.
I know God will utilize someone to make me well.

I just came from my routine check up. I also got my lab results and why am I surprised to see that my urine creatinine protein ratio shot up, yet again. Other lab tests are normal:  serum creatinine, liver function, potassium but heck my choleseterol level is a bit alarming. It’s 300+. I am guilty on this aspect because i pigged out on red meat in my attempt  to increase my protein intake. I slobbed on slab  of baby ribs, pork steak and barbecue.

Now, I am back to white meats. Say hello to tuna and chicken. My sister whom I have told about my cholesterol level has started to serve steamed chicken breast and veggies – just peppered and unsalted.

Oh, and I contain myself in snacking on roasted garlic bits as it is known here in the Philippines for its natural way of lowering blood pressure and cholesterol level.

My doctor said that I am just on our eighth week of my 24-week therapy so it’s not alarming to see that my creatinine-protein ratio gives a see-saw pattern.

Right now my concern is mainly about my heart.  I feel it hurts when I’m lying on my side as if it’s being pressed against my chest wall.  My doctor has ordered for a 2D-echo cardiogram to  rule out pleural effusion (pleural effusion is an accumulation of fluid between the layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity.) but it’s non-urgent because he set up my next appointment on June 1st.

He warned me to be extra careful not to catch any infections and has asked me if  I got the flu shot already

I pray that everything is okay.