July 31,2013: The Fight to Save my Kidneys
Dear DS Friends and others,
The past 5 weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions, but two are primary: Anger and Denial. As you might have noticed, my post in the status area talked about the early onset of kidney failure as indicated by www.webmd.com research and some lab results that has increased over the past 6 months (talking about from 12/12 to 6/13). I am, for the first time since that post, coming to terms that my research, the lab results, and my psych dr.'s confirmation on 7/31/13, that my kidneys have, for now, a 3% failure. Yes, that means that I am functioning at 97% kidney functioning rate...and I should look at the positive of that; but it is very hard to do! Why? Because in 2005, I was prescribed Abilify 15 mg in the summer time...One year later, I was diagnosed as diabetic. In 2011, my then current psych dr. finally ADMITTED that Abilify DOES cause diabetes! Last year--this past summer to be exact--the Abilify was increased to 20 mg....It is hard for me to admit this to all of you, but I've not tested for a year! My A1C has been stable over the past year, holding at 5.7. That is no excuse for the lack of my actions I am also on,currently,600 mg from 900 mg of Lithium Carbonate. This is the dr.'s choice and recommendation to bring down my Creatinine levels (which are indicators of kidney failure, along with BUN levels...With this combined, you have [my current] situation mentioned here). If my current levels (1.4 from 1.2 six months ago) are the same or increase over August and this month combined, then we have to find some other solution for me being on medicine-as in what other options are there for me,as an individual and as a patient???
So, why is this a "Call for Help?" I am not sure where to write to for medical reform when it comes to the Lithium Carbonate's and Abilify's dangerous side effects? Would it be the FDA, or who? My story is my story, true, but I feel like it can help others, some how some way...Even if it is just one person at a time, I have to start somewhere, or there will be many untold victims of such a senseless tragedy of unnecessary pain and illnesses! I am open for any and all ideas on this topic!
Sincerely yours,
Jonathan Marshall
The past 5 weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions, but two are primary: Anger and Denial. As you might have noticed, my post in the status area talked about the early onset of kidney failure as indicated by www.webmd.com research and some lab results that has increased over the past 6 months (talking about from 12/12 to 6/13). I am, for the first time since that post, coming to terms that my research, the lab results, and my psych dr.'s confirmation on 7/31/13, that my kidneys have, for now, a 3% failure. Yes, that means that I am functioning at 97% kidney functioning rate...and I should look at the positive of that; but it is very hard to do! Why? Because in 2005, I was prescribed Abilify 15 mg in the summer time...One year later, I was diagnosed as diabetic. In 2011, my then current psych dr. finally ADMITTED that Abilify DOES cause diabetes! Last year--this past summer to be exact--the Abilify was increased to 20 mg....It is hard for me to admit this to all of you, but I've not tested for a year! My A1C has been stable over the past year, holding at 5.7. That is no excuse for the lack of my actions I am also on,currently,600 mg from 900 mg of Lithium Carbonate. This is the dr.'s choice and recommendation to bring down my Creatinine levels (which are indicators of kidney failure, along with BUN levels...With this combined, you have [my current] situation mentioned here). If my current levels (1.4 from 1.2 six months ago) are the same or increase over August and this month combined, then we have to find some other solution for me being on medicine-as in what other options are there for me,as an individual and as a patient???
So, why is this a "Call for Help?" I am not sure where to write to for medical reform when it comes to the Lithium Carbonate's and Abilify's dangerous side effects? Would it be the FDA, or who? My story is my story, true, but I feel like it can help others, some how some way...Even if it is just one person at a time, I have to start somewhere, or there will be many untold victims of such a senseless tragedy of unnecessary pain and illnesses! I am open for any and all ideas on this topic!
Sincerely yours,
Jonathan Marshall
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