A large two-port dialysis type vas-cath
is inserted into the jugular vein and threaded down to near the
heart-lung junction. It is then stitched in place for the duration
of the procedure. One port on the vas-cath is for input and the
other is for outtake.
Each plasma exchance procedure involves
(1) pulling all the blood from my body, (2) separating the blood
cells from the liquid, (3) throwing away the old liquid, (4)
recombining my blood cells with new albumin, and then (5) pumping it
back into my body. The entire process happens continuously and
involves about 7 1/2 liters of blood. On the newer, faster machines
the procedure takes about three hours. On the older machines, about
six hours. This does not count the time it takes to hook me up to
the machine and waiting on the albumin to arrive. It is a full-day
process.
The exchange basically pulls everything
(including medications) out of my system except blood cells. This
really plays havoc with my medication blood levels.
After my first day of nausea, they
pre-medicated me. I was given Tylenol by mouth, Benadryl and
Phenergan directly into the vas-cath--what a rush. About half-way
through the procedure I was also given Zophran and calcium as needed.
It really helped!
Needless to say, that much "fluid
shift" and medication puts one's body into shock. It takes me
several days to recover. I have now had a total of twenty-seven PLEX
treatments.
I had two really strange occurrences
during this series of treatments.
During the 4th and 5th PLEX, my legs
really jerked. On the 4th day, my left leg started jerking about 30
minutes into the procedure and jerked for about 30 minutes. On the
5th day, my left leg started jerking again at about 30 minutes and it
jerked for about 1 1/2 hours. The RNs had no idea why. It was not a
cramp. It was a jerk that spasmed and straightened my leg like I had
been hit with an electric probe about every minute. This was the
worse jerking I have had and was very apparent. I have jerked over
the weekend, but not as bad.
I had a strange experience with my eyes
on Wednesday while waiting on PLEX. I had a bright, white, jagged
line develop across my field of vision. In both eyes, even with my
eyes closed. Below the line, my vision was wavy--like looking down a
hot road in summer. The line/wavy vision slowly rose up and went
away. The left side of my visual field lost peripheral vision and my
left field vision became dark and I could not distinguish items. The
Nephrology docs evaluated me and did not see anything of concern at
the moment, but said to go to the ER if it happens again. The whole
experience lasted about fifteen minutes. My Vanderbilt neurologist
has scheduled a Carotid Ultrasound and will followup on this issue.
My last chemo is scheduled for February
6.
Posts
1 comment:
What you are describing with your legs, is a perfect description of what my legs have started doing during spells where I have over done. And at a few other times as well. It is definitely not a muscle cramp, it is exactly as you described. And I have never done it before. Previously doing too much with my leg muscles led only to the typical MG weakness. But this is the typical weakness, plus this uncontrollable tension. I can't stop it once it starts. I have no control over it at all. But laying down and not moving does seem to help it stop faster. And sometimes it is so strong that it draws my foot in sharply and holds it there. I don't know what it is either. My husband is a nurse and he is completely puzzled by it as well. If you do find out what it is, please share.
Also, I meant to come back and leave a reply to you following your post about your Ferritin level. I have issues with that as well. And the lower it is, the worse my MG related breathing problems are. The two seem directly connected. Shortness of breath can be a complication of low iron, so perhaps that is why. Also after much trial and error, the only prescription iron supplement that I could tolerate is a generic called "Ferrex 28". It was far more gentle on my stomach than anything else, and it raised my levels better. I took it for over a year and it helped me tremendously. Unfortunately I can no longer take it because of an increase in my swallowing difficulties.
Best wishes, Mr. Bunn, I will continue to keep you in my prayers.
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