Brian’s fitness journal after a brain stroke
Today, I want to talk about how I am living with kidney disease and Anemia. Recently, I was told that I have a red blood cell count problem.
It has been 11 years since I first learned that my kidneys were not functioning properly. Since then, I have spent a lot of time negotiating with my kidneys—and, unfortunately, they are not very cooperative negotiators.
When your kidneys stop working properly, a lot of other things become more complicated. Kidneys do much more than simply “filter the body.” They influence energy, muscle recovery, blood pressure, appetite, and what you can safely eat.
For me, food restrictions have become a regular part of life.
I have to watch protein and potassium carefully. I also need to limit foods high in phosphorus. There is something strangely ironic about being told that white bread is a better choice than whole wheat bread. Green vegetables, chocolate, nuts, dairy—many of the foods people describe as “healthy” suddenly become foods that require careful planning.
I can still eat some of them in moderation, but I have to pay attention.
The protein restriction creates another challenge: muscle recovery. Since I cannot eat large amounts of protein, I struggle more with building muscle and repairing it. If I push myself too hard during exercise, I end up with muscle soreness that lasts longer than it should. Fatigue becomes part of the package.
And now there is the red blood cell count issue.
Apparently, healthy kidneys produce a hormone that tells the body to make red blood cells. When the kidneys stop producing enough of that hormone, anemia often follows. So while my low red blood cell count sounds dramatic, the cause is actually fairly straightforward.
The good news is that this part has a relatively simple solution.
For the next two months, I will visit the hematology clinic every two weeks. They will draw blood, check my levels, and give me an injection to stimulate red blood cell production.
It is not exactly how I would choose to spend my free time, but it is manageable.
The doctor told me that it will probably take at least a month before my blood counts start responding to the medication. Until then, the plan is simple: keep doing everything else I am already doing, show up for the appointments, and stay patient.
I am especially curious to see whether this treatment affects my running.
If my red blood cell count improves, my body should carry oxygen more efficiently, which could help my muscles perform better during exercise. Perhaps my runs will feel easier. Perhaps I will recover faster.
Or perhaps I will simply stop feeling like my muscles filed a formal complaint every time I overdo things.
Honestly, that alone would be a victory.