Showing posts with label kidney. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kidney. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Have You Learned About Cushing's At a Health Fair?

I cannot imagine this myself, since Cushing's is so hard to diagnose but an article at yourdailyjournal.com claims: 

The blood profiles provide a comprehensive look at several physiological systems in the body at a cost that is very reasonable for the patients, all in one panel,” Laboratory Manager Rhonda Outlaw said. “The cost savings would amount to anywhere from $185 to $1,100, depending on the tests done and whether they were drawn at a physician’s office or on an outpatient basis.

 

“The panel itself will give indication of possible problems with kidney functions, hematological functions, like anemia, platelet function and infection; cardiovascular disease, thyroid functions, diabetes detection, liver functions and electrolyte function, like Cushings Syndrome, potassium regulation and dehydration detection.”

What do you think about this?


 

 

Friday, April 20, 2012

Day Twenty, Cushing's Awareness Challenge

This is one of the suggestions from the Cushing's Awareness Challenge post:

What have you learned about the medical community since you have become sick?

This one is so easy.  I've said it a thousand times - you know your own body better than any doctor will.  Most doctors have never seen a Cushing's patient, few ever will in the future.

If you believe you have Cushing's (or any other rare disease), learn what you can about it, connect with other patients, make a timeline of symptoms and photographs. Read, take notes, save all your doctors notes, keep your lab findings, get second/third/ten or more opinions.

This is your life, your one and only shot (no pun intended!) at it.  Make it the best and healthiest that you can.

When my friend and fellow e-patient Dave deBronkart learned he had a rare and terminal kidney cancer, he turned to a group of fellow patients online  and found a medical treatment that even his own doctors didn't know. It saved his life.

In this video he calls on all patients to talk with one another, know their own health data, and make health care better one e-Patient at a time.