October 16th: DPC Education Center’s Healthcare Consultant, Velma Scantlebury, MD, was Live on Facebook to answer your kidney related questions. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Dr. Scantlebury talks about the importance of monthly self-exams, as well as mammograms as recommended by your healthcare team. We are also well into fall, so Dr. Scantlebury reminds everyone to make sure they have gotten their recommended vaccines and to make those appointments, if not. She also discusses the importance of mental health and many other kidney-related topics.

Since it is breast cancer awareness month, Dr. Scantlebury starts off our live with a reminder of the importance of staying up to date on mammogram and other cancer screenings, especially if you are on the transplant list. Just because you don’t feel any lumps or massing when doing a self-exam, that doesn’t mean you should skip recommended mammograms. It’s also particularly important to let your doctor know if you have a family history of breast cancer, as you may qualify for an early screening. You can also talk to your doctor about genetic testing for the BRCA, or breast cancer, gene if you have a family history.

We are now well into fall, so if you haven’t gotten your vaccine yet, talk to your doctor and make that appointment! If you have been recently transplanted, make sure you discuss recommendations with your healthcare team and make a plan that works for you. As we move into the colder months, we are gathered more inside, which puts us at higher risk for catching viruses. Especially if you have kids or grandkids that are back at school, it is very common for them to bring home upper respiratory infections, so make sure you are protected.

The colder, darker months are also a time when people might struggle more with their mental health, and it’s important to know you can reach out to friends and family for support. Everyone is different and we aren’t all able to handle situations the same way, so Dr. Scantlebury really encourages everyone to use the resources available to them and talk to a professional if you think you might need help.

We invite you to join us for our live events and ask your kidney-related questions! Find us on both Instagram and Facebook:

- IG Live @patientcitizens the first Wednesday of the month, 12:30pm EST
- Facebook Live www.facebook.com/patientcitizens the third Wednesday of the month, 12:30pm EST

IG Live 10.02.2024 – DPC Education Center’s Healthcare Consultant, Velma Scantlebury, MD, went Live on Instagram to answer your kidney related questions. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Dr. Scantlebury talks about the importance of not only breast cancer screenings for women but staying up-to-date on all cancer screenings for both dialysis and transplant patients. This month, she also discusses some ways to help comfort someone who may be ineligible for a transplant, if you can have your fistula removed after transplant, and many other kidney-related topics.

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Scantlebury highlighted not only how important it is for all women to get screenings when eligible and to do monthly self-exams, but she also discusses the particular importance for kidney patients to say up to date on their cancer screenings. Whether you’re a dialysis patient, on the transplant list, or have had a kidney transplant, adhering to all cancer screening guidelines helps your healthcare team address any possible issues right away and helps keep you eligible for transplant if you are on the transplant list.

When it comes to transplant, though it is often the goal of most patients, there are sometimes that a patient isn’t eligible for a transplant, which can be difficult to hear. Dr. Scantlebury discusses how transplant has a risk/benefit ratio, and how there are still many ways to optimize your function on dialysis and lead a great life. She talks about fistulas and why, usually, they are not removed after transplant and how they can actually be useful for transplant patients sometimes if they need an infusion. Additionally, Dr. Scantlebury talks about needing insulin after a pancreas transplant, embolization of a kidney, and answers many other important patient questions.

If you have your own questions you’d like to have the doctor answer, tune in for our Live events on both Instagram and Facebook:

- IG Live @patientcitizens the first Wednesday of each month, 12:30pm EST
- Facebook Live www.facebook.com/patientcitizens the third Wednesday of each month, 12:30pm EST

FB Live – September 18th: On our September Facebook Live, Dr. Scantlebury talks vaccines and recommendations for the new COVID-19 boosters, flu shots, and more, as well as logistics for traveling while on dialysis, mental health, and many more kidney related topics.

Now that we are solidly into autumn, Dr. Scantlebury reminds us that it is recommended for everyone get their updated COVID and flu vaccines for the year. This is especially important for kidney patients, are they are at a much higher risk of complications from getting sick. Additionally, anyone who is eligible for RSV, shingles, or pneumonia vaccines should also make sure that they talk to their healthcare teams to schedule those. If you are over 65, you’ll likely receive a different flu vaccine that is stronger, but always talk to your doctors if you have any questions or concerns about any recommended vaccinations.

Dr. Scantlebury also talks about some tips for traveling while on dialysis. If you do peritoneal dialysis, you can let your center know where you are going, and they will ship your supplies there ahead of time so you don’t have to lug it with you. For hemodialysis though, make sure you talk to your travel coordinator to help you arrange a transfer to a facility near where you will be traveling and send ahead all necessary paperwork.

In answering a question from a patient during our live event, Dr. Scantlebury discusses some of the mental health challenges that patients can face, such as being afraid of dialysis and the anxiety and depression that can come from having to make a major life change. She highlights the importance of seeking help from friends and family and leaning on them for support, as well as speaking with a professional who can help provide useful tools for working through those feelings, as well as options for patients who need additional mental health help.

We invite you to join us for our live events and ask your kidney-related questions! Find us on both Instagram and Facebook:

- IG Live @patientcitizens the first Wednesday of the month, 12:30pm EST
- Facebook Live www.facebook.com/patientcitizens the third Wednesday of the month, 12:30pm EST

DPC Education Center’s Healthcare Consultant, Velma Scantlebury, MD, Live on Instagram to answer your kidney related questions. September 4th was Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Awareness Day, and Dr. Scantlebury discusses what PKD is, how it affects the kidneys, and treatment options. This month also sees a change in weather as we move closer to fall, which means new vaccines for both Covid and the flu. Dr. Scantlebury talks about CDC recommendations for vaccines, as well as the importance in consulting your healthcare team to make sure you stay up to date on vaccinations. She also answers patient questions on self-cannulization, home dialysis, and many other kidney-related topics.

Polycystic kidneys disease is generally an inherited disease, with the gene coming from one parent of the patient, though there are cases where it is caused by a gene mutation. Dr. Scantlebury discusses how PKD causes cysts to grow within the kidneys overtime, which displaces the substance of the kidney, which can lead to enlarged kidneys. Sometimes the cysts can also affect the pancreas and liver. There is currently no cure, and while those who are diagnosed early in life may have their kidneys replaced early on, most people are into adulthood before replacement is needed.

Dr. Scantlebury also discusses the new strain of Covid going around that is causing more hospitalizations and how the number of infections are on the rise. She highlights the importance of renal patients getting the new booster vaccine when it becomes available in the next few weeks, as patient are immunocompromised and at a greater risk of developing complications from Covid, which typically also negatively affect kidney function. While it’s important for patients to stay up-to-date on all of their vaccines (flu, shingles, pneumonia, etc.) it is important to consult with your healthcare team to come up with a vaccine schedule that it best for you.

Dr. Scantlebury also answers questions on self-canulation, home dialysis, sepsis and more, so give us a listen to hear this important information for living well with kidney disease! If you have your own questions you’d like to have the doctor answer, tune in for our Live events on both Instagram and Facebook:

- IG Live @patientcitizens the first Wednesday of each month, 12:30pm EST
- Facebook Live www.facebook.com/patientcitizens the third Wednesday of each month, 12:30pm EST

DPC Education Center’s Healthcare Consultant, Velma Scantlebury, MD, went Live on Instagram this month to answer your kidney related questions. We are in peak summer heat and, while we all know the importance of staying hydrated, dialysis patients have to balance that with fluid restrictions. Dr. Scantlebury has some tips to beat the heat (and humidity!), how to use the slower summer months to stay on top of your healthcare, and many more kidney-related topics.

Last month, Dr. Scantlebury talked about the importance of renal patients staying hydrated and the added challenge that dialysis patients have with fluid restrictions. This month, she expanded that conversation to answer questions regarding humidity and the additional strain that can place on patients. While there is no one size fits all answer since everyone’s body is different and the weather can vary greatly based on where you live, Dr. Scantlebury provides some tips she’s seen patients use over the year as well as some websites that can be used to find additional resources in your area. She also discussed how patients can use the slower summer months to make sure they are up to date on health screenings and make sure they have necessary appointments scheduled out in order to make sure they are ready to go for transplant when they get called. It is also a great time to schedule an appointment with your primary care provider (or find one if you don’t have one!) since they are the ones able to make referrals for necessary tests. Dr. Scantlebury also answers questions on lab work throughout your kidney journey and why it’s important to adhere to the schedule you receive from your healthcare team, no matter if you are a CKD patient, dialysis patient, or transplant patient.

Give us a listen to hear all this and more important information for living well with kidney disease. If you have your own questions you’d like to have the doctor answer, tune in for our Live events on both Instagram and Facebook:

- IG Live @patientcitizens the first Wednesday of each month, 12:30pm EST
- Facebook Live www.facebook.com/patientcitizens the third Wednesday of each month, 12:30pm EST

Join us for an enlightening episode of the DPC Education Center’s podcast, featuring a special event with healthcare consultant Dr. Scantlebury, DPC Board President Andrew Conkling, and Board Member Quiana Bishop. In this episode, our guests delve into the critical topic of phosphorus and its impact on renal patients.

With their first-hand experience managing phosphorus issues while on dialysis, Andrew and Quiana share invaluable insights into the challenges and options for controlling phosphorus levels. They discuss the importance of limiting foods high in phosphorus and the role of binders and blockers in helping the body absorb and eliminate excess phosphorus.

Dr. Scantlebury provides expert commentary on current treatment options and answers patient questions, offering practical advice for maintaining phosphorus balance and overall renal health.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of phosphorus management and hear from those who have navigated these challenges firsthand. Whether you're a patient, caregiver, or healthcare professional, this episode is packed with valuable information to help you or your loved ones thrive.

Listen now and take control of your renal health!

If you have additional kidney questions, tune in for our regularly scheduled Live events on both Instagram and Facebook:

• IG Live @patientcitizens the first Wednesday of each month, 12:30pm EST
• Facebook Live www.facebook.com/patientcitizens the third Wednesday of each month, 12:30pm EST

This month, the DPC Education Center got to speak with Fanny Sung Whelan, MS, RDN, LDN, a registered dietitian who has worked with people with all stages of kidney disease since 2011, from pre-dialysis to dialysis to transplant. Fanny discusses tips to limit phosphorus, fluid intake on dialysis versus as a transplant patient, how dietary needs change from dialysis to transplant patients, and she gives some easy recipe ideas.

Tune in to get some tips on ways to limit phosphorus while still enjoying get togethers during the summer months, recommendations for ways to limit or balance your fluids even when it’s hot outside, recipes to enjoy no matter where you are in your kidney journey, and much more!

Give us a listen to hear all this and more important information for utilizing your renal social worker. If you have additional kidney questions, tune in for our regularly scheduled Live events on both Instagram and Facebook:

• IG Live @patientcitizens the first Wednesday of each month, 12:30pm EST
• Facebook Live www.facebook.com/patientcitizens the third Wednesday of each month, 12:30pm EST

IG Live – June 5th: DPC Education Center’s Healthcare Consultant, Velma Scantlebury, MD, went Live on Instagram this month to answer your kidney related questions. As the weather starts heating up, Dr. Scantlebury shares some tips for staying cool while not going over your fluid limit, phosphorus and why it has to be closely monitored by renal patients, some considerations that go into being eligible for transplant, and many more kidney-related topics.

It’s officially summer and with the temperatures starting to rise, it’s import for dialysis patients to consider how to best manage their fluids in hot weather. Dr. Scantlebury talks about different ways to help yourself stay cool during these hot summer days, as well as providing some creative tips for quenching your thirst without going over your fluid limits. Another thing renal patients have to keep in mind, regardless of the season, is their phosphorus levels. Your best tools are to pay attention to nutrition labels on your food, working with your nutritionist, and taking your binders as prescribed. When patients are on the transplant list, one of the things that can prevent them from getting a kidney is hard plaque buildup in their blood vessels, caused by phosphorous. Some other considerations if the patient is able to get to their necessary appointments/have a support system to help them and compliance with medications, along with staying up-to-date with their tests. Dr. Scantlebury highlights the importance of speaking with your healthcare team if you have questions or concerns with any of the transplant requirements.

Give us a listen to hear all this and more important information for living well with kidney disease. If you have your own questions you’d like to have the doctor answer, tune in for our Live events on both Instagram and Facebook:

- IG Live @patientcitizens the first Wednesday of each month, 12:30pm EST
- Facebook Live www.facebook.com/patientcitizens the third Wednesday of each month, 12:30pm EST