Kidney Transplant Hope: Aid for Medication

Hi Everyone,

So long story short, I am heading for a kidney transplant. Yep….4 years after my heart transplant. I have my kidney transplant evaluation in June. The heart transplant drugs have basically damaged my kidneys to the point where I have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) level 4 (5 is complete failure of the kidneys). It boggles my mind, that doctors continually prescribe medications that damage your body.

My docs and I decided that a kidney transplant would be the best route because I am otherwise healthy and I don't want to have to go on dialysis - which breaks down the body. I hope I don't have to!

That being said, one of the downsides of having CKD is anemia.

The hormone primarily produced by the kidneys that stimulates red blood cell production is erythropoietin (EPO). EPO acts on bone marrow stem cells, telling them to produce more red blood cells. The kidneys release more EPO when they detect low oxygen levels in the blood. When one has CKD, this basically stops altogether and/or slows considerably. Many with CKD have chronically low hemoglobin and red blood cells.

The symptoms of anemia are serious fatigue, like can't get out of bed fatigue, can't think clearly fatigue. I have been there all too often as my CKD has gotten worse and worse from the heart transplant drugs - they are toxic.

Many people with Chronic Kidney Disease need EPO shots (I do too). These are shots that mimic the synthetic hormone (EPO) that the kidneys are supposed to produce for red blood cell production. Unfortunately, they are very expensive 1200-2000$ per 4 shots (2 shots per month and every month)! I need them regularly and my insurance won't cover them. I have had to to pay out of pocket for these for year and now I need your help.

EPO shots are too much money but a necessity for me to continue to have energy, and live a relatively normal active life until my transplant, whenever that may be - it could be years. I am embarassed in asking for help, but I do need it. I don't know anyone who could continue to pay $1200-2000 every few months for medication. Moral of the story Insurance SUCKS! 

Thank you for your support!

I remain positive because I have my silly doggies that put a smile on my face every day.