[Sparky67Participant]

3 months ago my 90-year-old father was admitted to hospital with very high calcium levels in his blood, and following other tests (but not a bone marrow aspiration) the doctors agreed on multiple myeloma. His kidneys were affected by the high level of paraproteins and calcium and he was deydrated. It took 4 weeks to get him stable enough to be discharged. A week later he was back in hospital with back pain and another 3 weeks later back at home. After another week he was readmitted following an outpatient blood test, dehydrated again with a kidney function level above 700. Although he's no longer on IV fluids, at 90 he doesn't seem to be able to drink the amount of fluids he needs to keep hydration at a reasonable level. He is now on a low dose CTDa and on some painkillers, is eating well, mobile enough to walk short distances and is waiting to come home again. I guess my question is, from experience, which has the greater risk for him over the next few months do you think, the myeloma or developing end stage kidney failure ?

[MinParticipant]

Hi Martin,
Sorry to hear about your Dad, my husband has MM and kidney damage from it, along with bone damage.
In truth I think only a Dr can give you the answer you want, but even then as mm is not something like High blood pressure where they know if they give you x then the result wilt be Y .
MM is far more complicated and unpredictable. But there are many ways of getting fluids into a man who wont drink. From experience water is not the be all and end all. Fluids are the key. He may be a Tea man or even a beer man. Soda water spring water 'pop' as we call canned drinks! Whatever it takes.
The reason for the fluids is the GFR. complicated but its about getting the calcium out of his kidneys which will become blocked and the quickest way to do this is to flush them out. With whatever fluids he can get down him. fruit juices flavoured waters etc you get the picture. Once they flushed regularly and with the help of steroids.. the dreaded Dex or maybe prednisalone there will be an improvement. Most important is to cut out salt.
Has he had X-rays? does he have bone damage? Pain killers usually mean bone damage! ; Is he on a bone strengthener? Zometa is not given to patients with kidney damage but there is another type which takes a little longer to infuse but does the same task without causing further damage.
This will also help stop the calcium releasing into his bloodstream, and make him feel better sooner.
Can I suggest getting a few bottle of water, its a brilliant method of measuring the intake for him too as he will have a guide of what quantity he needs to consume even if it means boiling it to make tea. After that you can fill them from the tap and he can work out for himself how much fluid he needs to keep well.
Dont despair, I know your Dad is getting on but don't write him off, as lots of people live well with mm and kidney problems. A little re training will hopefully get on top of the problems and he can get back to how he was within reason. I do hope you see an improvement soon and your Dad gets home again
Regards
Min

[eveParticipant]

Hi Martin
Know one can answer your question,!!! it would not matter if your dad was young or old,the fact is how much fight has he in him,I would agree with Min,we do not give enough credit to older people.Do not write them off!!!!

Jo is a fine example of having Myeloma,with kidney damage,and she seems to have a good quality of life.
At the end of the day,a life is a life until that person says enough,no matter what the age,circumstances ,or what other people think,you have to respect this person.( no offence )
I hope this helps.my best wishers to your father. Eve

[PerkymiteParticipant]

Hi Min, Can I query the "fluids" definition? I was informed that Diuretic drinks, like tea and coffee do not count when measuring the amount of fluid intake. But I support your principle to get something in it is better than nothing.

To be on the safe side I just count pure water, if there is such a thing as "pure" water, he he. (I do not count Guinness either – which is of course, like Tom's red wine, for medicinal purposes only 😛 ).

Kindest regards ? Vasbyte

David

[MinParticipant]

Hi David
The advice Peter got from the kidney specialist he was under before his MM diagnosis was any fluid was better than non.
A little while ago I watched one of those Doctors on the TV Michaell Mosley. think it was a one show item
The item was about the drink x amount of water a day theory. He divided a group of people and tested them all quite extensivly for all kinds of kidney functions . Some drank nothing but water over a specific period of time and some had other types of liquid a variety of things from alchohol to juice or pop. The results were the same and didnt make any difference to kidney function. Peter has steared clear of all alchohol for about 99% of his time but loves fizzy drinks wether fizzy spring water or fizzy flavoured water. During melphalan treatments he loses the urge and drinks just tap water.
I think whatever works for you has to be fine. Personaly I NEVER EVER drink water if I had kidney problems I would just dehydrate if I had to drink water it gives me heartburn! But I was told by a perons who is a so called expert that 7up was full of essential salts. Whatever that means so thats what I give him when he is ill. it used to be lucozade but that is mostly an energy drink nowadays…
Regards
Min

[CluckyParticipant]

Hiya, my husband Bruce, has myeloma and kidney failure (he has dialysis 3 times a week).

He has to be careful about his fluid intake because of 'hidden fluids'. Dialysis removes excess fluid as well as cleaning the kidneys. He has to watch what he's eating as well as how much he drinks. Jelly, icecream, salad, custard, soups, stews all contain a lot of liquid. Maybe getting your Dad to eat some of the things my husband has to avoid will help keep him hydrated.

Cheers
Mal & Bruce.

[PerkymiteParticipant]

Yes, I think getting some fluids, anyway you can, in is better than none.

However my understanding of it is that dehydration is one of the dangers facing us and therefore ?fluids?, in my case six pints of water a day, is essential. But ask any two Doctors to give an opinion and you will get six different answers. I know all the Consultants, and I have seen them all, at my Cancer Centre have a slightly different angle on everything.

I have been told to drink 6 pints a day and that is what I will do until told otherwise, because, if my Kidneys fail I do not want some smart a*se Consultant giving me one of those condescending, you have brought this on yourself, what a waste of MHS resources, naughty boy looks!

Kindest regards ? Vasbyte

David
us

[Sparky67Participant]

Well, dad was discharged from hospital when the doctors said medically they couldn't do any more for him on the ward, he could continue his medication at home and would be monitored via outpatient clinics. The 'gentle chemo' appeared to have slowed down the effects of the myeloma and his kidney function at the time was reasonably stable but still very poor. Looking back he was very tired and very weak, but not in any noticeable pain.

Taking in enough fluid to keep his kidney function stable remained the main issue, he gradually became physically weaker and more tired and started sleeping more and more, which really compounded the problem. I am very sorry to say that three weeks after discharge dad passed away peacefully at home with his family at his bedside. Although the doctor's certificate says myeloma, it was kidney failure which took him.

We learned a lot about the NHS, Hospice@Home, Macmillan and private care agencies during this time. I would like to put on record my particular thanks to the staff from the Crossroads agency and the Sandwell district nurses, who were both professional and individually helpful in his last few weeks and days. My 87-year-old mother, who is registered blind, found great comfort through this, in particular by the exceptional care and support given by some of the Crossroads girls. They know who they are…

And thank you for the supportive posts and suggestions above – they were very much appreciated. Dad was late in being diagnosed, by which time his kidneys had been badly damaged. At 90 years of age he fought his uphill struggle with dignity and a real appreciation of the people who were helping him.

Martin

[ElizellenParticipant]

My condolences to you and your family, Martin.

I am glad that you were able to access help at home for him and your mother in his last days.

Regards
Elizabeth

[mhnevillParticipant]

Hi Martin

May I add my condolences too. Your Father fought a good fight and I am sure you are glad that he is now free of pain.

Best wishes to you and all the family.

Mavis

[eveParticipant]

Hi Martin
May I say thank you for letting us know about your father,condolences to all your family.
He died at home with his family,I could not think of a better way to die,I have never heard of the Crossroad girls,but i do know the Macmillan do what they can to make the passing easy,I am so glad your mother found some comfort in this.We fight this MM the best way we can. Regards Eve

[lorraineyParticipant]

Hi Martin,

So sorry to read about your father, my sincere condolonces to you and your family.

love n hugs Lorraine xxx

[brochoParticipant]

Dear Martin I am sorry you have lost your dad but it seems he passed in a dignified and peaceful way at home which must have been a comfort to you all Please pass on my condolences to your mum Bridget

[teds31Participant]

Very sorry to read your story Martin ,our thoughts are with you. Ted

[robertorr51Participant]

Hello Mal / Bruce

My wife Carole is now out of hospital after spending 6 weeks there getting dialysis. She would have been out sooner, however there were no slots available at an out patient clinic. She now has a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday as her dialysis days.

Can you shed any light on what causes leg cramps, I have read the pickle juice can help alleviate this pain. Also, that this may be common until her dialysis regime is tailored to her.

Any help welcome

Robbie

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