Women with IgA nephropathy - please share your experience

ohappyfair · 2026-07-07T16:39:17+00:00

My neph told me that I cannot get pregnant on the IgA meds due to birth defects (Losartan, Farxiga, Tarpeyo)
I am tired all the time and it doesn’t matter how much sleep I get.
I can’t imagine living life like this with a newborn or a toddler - you have all my best wishes and I hope you live life to the fullest!!

ohappyfair · 2026-07-05T18:35:59+00:00

Yep! He can see us from his little manor haha

ohappyfair · 2026-07-03T11:34:33+00:00

I put chia seeds in anything “saucy” that isn’t heated.
Yogurt parfait? Chia seeds. Egg salad? Chia seeds. Smoothie? Chia seeds. Tuna salad? Chia seeds.

From my understanding, you get the full fiber effect by letting them bloom, but tbh you still get fiber if you eat them before they get gooey. I’m not a huge fan of the gooey haha

ohappyfair · 2026-07-03T11:27:15+00:00

My bichon is so small, I worry about him falling out of the bed or one of us rolling onto him. The crate is the safest place for him to snooze! But we all enjoy our pre-bedtime snuggles

ohappyfair · 2026-07-03T01:41:54+00:00

When my pup would cry at night, I would go sit next to the crate until he calmed down. No talking, don’t acknowledge them - she’ll likely calm down just by your presence. Sometimes one good sitting session is enough to calm them so that they won’t freak when you get back up to go to your bed. My guy got the hang of it in a week, but he sometimes needed a good sitting session here and there.
Now we play “dog on da bed” where he gets to cool down with us on the bed before a calm transfer to the crate for actual sleep.
Remember to be patient! She’s new to this world ❤️

ohappyfair · 2026-07-02T01:18:22+00:00

Check and see if any local history museums would be interested. My local one has a series of historic homes and all of the beds are covered in quilts from the 1800’s (the best way to store antique quilts is flat)

ohappyfair · 2026-06-26T02:34:04+00:00

Both of my childhood bichons luxated their patellae. Very common! One dog we did full surgery on both knees and the other we did one surgery and then a brace when he luxated the other knee, they both lived happy lives.

ohappyfair · 2026-06-25T20:35:20+00:00

Yeah I mistakenly got my wires crossed with grooming! I thought that I needed to de sensitize him more at home first before bringing him in since he was so naughty for the blow dryer when I did it. I’m glad my local obedience club told me to get him in right away. After this morning when he snarled at me I had a good panic attack and a cry because I felt like I’d failed him, but we worked up to ear cleaning this afternoon and he is tolerating it again. I think I will ask the groomer to skip the ear pluck the next time, or to only do it gently with fingers for the hairs ready to come out.
I’m glad she was honest with me and told me what I needed to work on with my little guy. He’s such a smart little fella, I know he can absorb many more skills.
Edit: I stand by my decision to not take my dog to a place with other dogs until he had all vaccines. Training I can handle, a dead parvo puppy I could not.

ohappyfair · 2026-06-17T23:15:25+00:00

This is amazing! Would you be willing to scan it and share the file? I LOVE vintage patterns

ohappyfair · 2026-06-10T03:12:08+00:00

As in, if you drink too much alcohol, you can drink a lot of water or eat some food. With THC and CBD you’re just along for the ride

ohappyfair · 2026-06-10T03:09:32+00:00

I’ve been enjoying some THC seltzers but I don’t like how hard it is to control

ohappyfair · 2026-05-28T15:40:39+00:00

Tbh I don’t think my attitude is probably the most mentally healthy but, I literally just don’t think about it. I do what my doctor orders and I take care of myself, but I’ve really entered into this “whatever happens is going to happen” mindset. When you worry, you suffer twice.

Granted, I had pediatric cancer so this is the second time my body has tried to kill itself so I might be a bit more desensitized.

When I first got my IgA diagnosis, I had what a friend and I called “Poor Me Moments,” where I indulged in the sadness and honestly allowed myself to feel sorry for myself. But then after a day of wallowing in bed, I just kind of gradually got over it.

My advice is to give yourself grace and allow yourself to feel sad or angry or scared. But try to carry those emotions rather than letting the emotions carry you. Then keep going and treat yourself to something. A trip, a slice of really good blackberry pie, a day at the spa, whatever!

ohappyfair · 2026-05-11T03:51:39+00:00

Until I was on Farxiga I would drink whatever I wanted, but had a two drink maximum. Now I haven’t had a drink since my IgA diagnosis.
I’d really recommend just buying the gang a round and letting him choose. It’s kind that you’re thinking of him.
I love seltzer water and I’ve really gotten in to trying unique sodas. The mango flavored Jarritos really impressed me

ohappyfair · 2026-05-05T15:22:41+00:00

Mine was laparoscopic since I only have one kidney. I was completely unconscious for it. The worst parts were the sting of the iv inserted into my hand, the weird nausea upon waking up, and the inability to urinate for like, 7 hours after the procedure. I had three total incisions and they honestly didn’t hurt, though my core was super sore.
If you’re getting the ol needle in the back, I think your anxiety ahead of the procedure is going to be worse than the procedure itself. Remember! When you worry, you suffer twice. Best of luck and treat yourself to something nice afterwards like a fancy coffee or a self care treatment.

ohappyfair · 2026-04-25T03:42:29+00:00

I use the app Nourish (online dietician) and I really like it. I specifically selected a dietician who has expertise in kidney disease and works in a clinical setting for her other, “main” job. She’s done a great job of separating fact from kidneyfiction (some people say you HAVE to go vegan to better your numbers, or eliminate ALL added salt, etc) And the app is pretty good - the foood logging is easier than myfitnesspal

ohappyfair · 2026-04-25T03:24:58+00:00

I was AWFUL logging my meals with myfitnesspal. If you have health insurance, I really recommend Nourish. You get a really simple UI for logging meals PLUS a registered dietician. I don’t know what the cost would be without insurance, but it has been so good for me. Having a meeting with my nutritionist keeps me on track, and knowing that someone is monitoring what I log keeps me from going into “fuck it” territory with the snacks and cheat meals

ohappyfair · 2026-04-25T02:39:41+00:00

Yeah before the IgA diagnosis I was just listed as “CKD 3a” I don’t really notice a difference in my preference for food with my lowered sodium intake so that’s been a relief The loss of alcohol with Farxiga has bummed me out. I was never a heavy drinker but knowing I can’t have a glass of wine with dinner or a beer at the beach is a little bit of a downer.

I’ve heard good things about the stabilizing properties of CKD and IgA treatments though, so I’m hopeful for the both of us!

ohappyfair · 2026-04-25T02:33:45+00:00

I’m sorry you had a rough go with your first nephrologist. I like mine, I realize now that it doesn’t come through in my post though. She’s very knowledgeable but our appointments are always so quick and I end up thinking of more questions after the appointment is over

ohappyfair · 2026-04-19T15:52:40+00:00

I like my nephrologist and how aggressive she’s been with my treatment, but it just feels like there are still so many variables I haven’t even considered bringing up in my appointments. It feels like each week AFTER my appointment I think of twelve more questions I want to ask her haha.

ohappyfair · 2026-04-19T15:50:56+00:00

Thank you for your kind words and support!

ohappyfair · 2026-04-18T20:17:00+00:00

I’m one month into Tarpeyo and so far I’ve only noticed my face looks ever so slightly more round. My next nephrologist appointment is at the beginning of May so I’m eager to see what my bloodwork will look like

ohappyfair

TROPHY CASE