Day + 97, Scraping The Bottom Of The Barrel

Astute readers will recognize that I haven't been complaining at all about the edema for the last week or so. While part of this is due to the fact that the name of this site is "Tony's Amyloid Blog" and not "Tony's Edema Blog", but mainly for the fact that the 160 mg of Lasix has been working wonderfully. But to those who missed reading my rants, I promise to make you happy today.

Ever try to finish a drink with a straw? Everything's fine and dandy until you are almost finished, and you've got that last bit in the glass. No matter what you try, it evades you, and all you do is pick up air. Not to mention making those large suction sounds. After trying for a couple minutes you start hyperventilating, and you give up.

This is what's happening with my edema. I've got it down to my ankles and feet, but I'm unable to remove anymore. Blame it on gravity, I don't know... but the feet remain swollen no matter what I do. Of course, I could lay in bed all day to even them out, but that's not something that I'd like to do (or can do, as I'm trying to get myself on a regular schedule).

What is happening is that since the medication can't get this last bit, it's starting to take fluid from the rest of my body, which is leaving me dehydrated, drained and sick every night. This is the same thing that happened with the Zaroxalyn, although it was more pronounced.

I contacted my nephrologist this morning on this recent development, and he believes that I should cut back on the medication -- back from 160mg to 120mg. Hopefully this amount will provide the balance between keeping the fluid off and being sick. It is crucial that I get this straightened out before I am ready to get off of disability.