2025-06-04 Instagram Live - Kidney Q&A

IG Live 06.04.2025 – DPC Education Center’s Healthcare Consultant, Velma Scantlebury, MD, Live on Instagram to answer your kidney related questions. This month, Dr. Scantlebury answers questions on maintaining good standing on the transplant list, what happens with fluid overload in dialysis patients, vacation tips, and many more kidney-related topics.

Maintaining active status on the kidney transplant list involves more than just waiting—it requires regular medical checkups, screenings, and physical readiness. Dr. Scantlebury explains the importance of staying up to date on key health evaluations such as cardiology clearance, cancer screenings, and colonoscopies. She also stresses the role of physical therapy and overall fitness in ensuring patients are strong enough to recover from transplant surgery, manage complications, and regain mobility post-op.

Missing dialysis because you "don’t feel well"? Dr. Scantlebury discusses how not feeling well may actually be a symptom of fluid overload, which is a dangerous accumulation of fluid that dialysis helps remove. Skipping sessions allows fluid to build up, increasing pressure on the heart and accelerating heart disease. Left unchecked, this can ultimately disqualify a patient from receiving a transplant. Staying consistent with treatment is essential for both short-term comfort and long-term eligibility.

Now that it’s summertime, many people are planning vacations. Dr. Scantlebury shares smart travel strategies for those living with kidney disease. From packing medications in your carry-on (never checked luggage!) to bringing a few extra days’ worth of pills in case of delays, she offers practical advice on managing fluid restrictions, avoiding heat exhaustion—especially in warm climates, making sure you are prepared for time in the sun with proper protection.

If you have your own questions you’d like to have the doctor answer, tune in for our Live events on both Instagram and Facebook:

• IG Live @patientcitizens 
• Facebook Live www.facebook.com/patientcitizens