PKD Life - Fall 2022 - 20

It
Takes
Two
Here's why
having a good
relationship with
your nephrologist
is key.
By Andrea Atkins
W
hen you have PKD, your
nephrologist becomes a
lifeline, literally.
" He or she will be with
you through the different phases of the
disease, help you manage symptoms,
prevent or treat complications, and if
needed guide you through the process of
dialysis or transplantation, " says Pranav
Garimella, M.D., M.P.H., assistant professor
of clinical medicine and director
of inpatient dialysis services at University
of California San Diego Health.
" It's a relationship that could go on for
decades, and it's really important to form
good bonds early on and make sure your
20 PKD LIFE * FALL 2022
relationship is a good fit. "
It took Shonale Burke, of Schertz,
Texas, many years to learn that lesson.
An auditor for the U.S. Army, Burke
moved around during her younger years
and even lived in Europe. Her disease
was stable, but when she moved to San
Antonio in 2010, Burke, now 58, met a
nephrologist who made her understand
how important connecting with your
doctor really is.
" She really changed my view and
made me understand that I'm the biggest
part of my health team, and that I
can help control things, " she says. " She
taught me to look at my labs before I
went to an appointment, to understand
what it meant if my phosphorus or
potassium levels were too high. She was
direct about why I needed to keep track
of these things. "
Burke's father had PKD and he died
in his early 50s. Her two older sisters
were on dialysis before age 50. Burke
had a transplant at age 51-seven years
ago. She attributes her good health to
the doctor who made her a partner in
her healthcare.
" It's the patient, the doctor, and the
disease, " says Michael Lioudis, M.D.,
division chief of nephrology at Upstate
Medical University in Syracuse, New
PKD Life - Fall 2022

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