Diagnosis: Photo 3

Photo by Miranda Meyer

As kidney function declines, the kidneys produce less and less erythropoietin, a hormone that aids in the production of red blood cells (RBC). As the level of RBC declines, fatigue and anemia set in, leaving one constantly tired.

Science has produced a synthetic version of erythropoietin available under the brand names Epoetin or Procrit. I began receiving injections of Procrit in January 1999.

My body reacted well to them after a month or two, and my RBC levels would return to normal and I'd go off the shots. Eventually though, the levels decline again and more injections are necessary.