Hello.
I'm here in Bali, Indonesia. My best friend was taken to a local hospital three days ago because he has edema all over his body (legs, belly, back, neck, face). Xray, ultrasound and blood test was done. Unfortunately the doctor doesn't want to explain to me what exactly is wrong with my friend. He just says: his kidneys are 'leaking', and something about infection...
He has prescribed him furosemide 40 mg, folic acid, calcium, captopril 25 mg twice daily. So far, his edema has not decreased, but rather got worse (Probably he should take a higher dose of furosemide?).
I have read a lot about this Nephrotic syndrome, and I have the feeling this doctor is just treating my friends symptoms and not the cause of his condition (maybe he doesn't know it?).
Today, the nurse said that my friend needs albumin infusions (which I've read are usually not that effective in this case - or at least don't have a long lasting effect).
The thing is: Albumin infusions are really expensive over here in Bali. My friend and his family are really poor and can't afford to buy a liter of albumin infusion...
A beg you for a little advice, because my friend looks really bad. And I think the doctor has little idea of what he's doing... (He only shows up once a day for about 1 Minute to see him, doesn't explain anything, and he said my friend can probably go home in 4 days - although nothing has changed so far!). I've yet to find a good doctor in my area. (Unfortunately there is only this one so called 'specialist' in this area!).
Do you have any advices? Anything I can do? I'm really desperate!
Sincerely yours
Ketut Sucra