Reddit reviews Greater Goods Blood Pressure Monitor Cuff Kit by Balance, Digital BP Meter with Large Display, Upper Arm Cuff, Set Also Comes with Tubing and Device Bag (BP Monitor New)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N9I63PG

So I’m not going to speak to any of the financial side of things directly.

I had a kidney transplant 6 years ago. I don’t remember the exact amount I paid out of pocket for my transplant, but it was less than $1000 in Michigan. I had an employee health plan plus Medicare kicks in.

Something to think about right now is moving, if you don’t live near a hospital where he can have the transplant. The reason to move now is so you can get set up with a pcp that is in the same system as your nephrologist. This eliminates a lot of your husband potentially being the go between for his doctors. Also the hospital has a lot of resources, like support groups, that you can start to utilize. After transplant your husband will be seeing his nephrologist once a week for about 2 months, then every other for 4 months. It’s a lot of driving. There is a lot hat goes into moving. I am just bringing it up as something to think about.

Next I would look at the two types of dialysis. This is a big decision that you will more than likely have to make down the road. I had to make the decision rather quickly, I was on dialysis for 9 months, and there is a lot of information to digest.

Following that you want to get a good picture of his family medical history. Along the same lines get familiar with what they test for during blood draws and what it means. If he hasn’t started already, checking blood pressure daily is also a good thing to start. It’s easy to go to amazon and get a good one (Blood Pressure Monitor Cuff Kit by Balance, Digital BP Meter With Large Display, Upper Arm Cuff, Set also comes with Tubing and Device Bag (BP Monitor New) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N9I63PG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_OgiYAb4GGXCYD) this is the one I use. Water retention is another thing to keep an eye on.

Regular exercise and a good diet go a long way. Talk to a dietician.

Knowledge is power. I like to keep a list of questions that I think of for my next doctors appointment. Like I said earlier, learn to have at least a basic understanding of his labs. Both of you should know what medications he takes, and what they are for. Be an active participant in treatments.

This can be very challenging and overwhelming. Feel free to ask me questions need help.


Edit: words removed upon mod request.

I have the same exact problem. I agree with everyone else who suggested buying an at home blood pressure kit. I got this one on Amazon and it’s great. It’s not a wrist cuff and it even came batteries. It wasn’t expensive and the device saves your readings which is helpful!

My doctor recommended I check my blood pressure every other week. (It’s currently under control with weight loss and a diuretic which is why he only recommends every other week) he recommended going to a pharmacy or grocery store to check my blood pressure but I even get nervous there. All I can think about is times in the past when I’ve gone there and it’s been high and it stresses me out.

So I ordered the at home one, and my routine is this: every time I go to take it, I make sure I’ve had a lot of water that day, haven’t eaten anything crazy high in sodium (well that’s the goal every day now!) and I’m taking it before I’ve had my coffee. I sit on my couch for about five minutes, chill and scroll on my phone on mindless stuff. Then after that, I do a quick, five minute meditation to clear my brain from stressing about my blood pressure. I sit with my arm on the arm of my couch, nice and relaxed, arm facing up and I have my blood pressure taken with calming music playing. Over the top? Yup 😆 but it works! It’s significantly higher at doctors offices, and my heart rate isn’t crazy high like it is when they’re taking it at the doctors. Good luck!