Heartfelt thanks to everyone who replied — the messages were deeply appreciated.
Fortunately, doctors now believe the issue is different from the initial suspicion.
Heartfelt thanks to everyone who replied — the messages were deeply appreciated.
Fortunately, doctors now believe the issue is different from the initial suspicion.
With stage 4 kidney disease following a transplant that didn't go as expected, CT scans with contrast and MRIs with gadolinium are not viable because they risk damaging remaining renal function, so more invasive and time-consuming diagnostics may be required.
Cancer markers like CA 19-9 can be markedly abnormal in ADPKD carriers, likely due to hepatic cysts, which causes confusion and often panic.
In the end, there appears to be no immediate life-threatening problem, aside from minor concerns such as possible mild pancreatitis with minimal symptoms and a newly identified malformation.
With end-stage ADPKD the abdomen is very difficult to evaluate because it is full of cysts and other changes.
This removes one major concern among many that are being managed.
Thanks again for the kind messages below; they were a great comfort even though immediate replies weren't possible. Continuing to post has helped keep the mind a bit away from panic and overthinking.