FB Live – Dec 17th: In December’s episode of Ask the Doctor, Dr. Velma Scantlebury goes live to help answer patients’ questions about living well, both physical and mentally, with kidney disease. This month’s discussion focuses on navigating the holidays, staying ready for transplant, and understanding how stress impacts renal health, along with many other kidney-related topics.

Holiday celebrations can be challenging for kidney patients, but Dr. Scantlebury reminds listeners that balance is key. She shares practical tips for monitoring fluid intake, choosing renal-friendly foods, staying mindful of potassium and phosphorus levels, and remembering to take binders. While holidays are just a few days out of the year, maintaining as much consistency as possible is essential to protecting your health.

For patients who have been on the transplant list for some time, Dr. Scantlebury discusses ways to stay proactive. From keeping up with medical requirements to having open conversations about living donation, she offers guidance on how patients can advocate for themselves and improve their chances of receiving a kidney, whether from a deceased or living donor.

Stress affects everyone, but for renal patients, chronic stress can take a serious toll on the body. Dr. Scantlebury explains how elevated cortisol levels can disrupt sleep, worsen overall health, and contribute to long-term complications. She offers simple, actionable strategies to reduce stress such as doing a “brain dump” before bed, avoiding multitasking, and identifying activities that bring joy and incorporating them into daily life.

This episode encourages patients and caregivers alike to focus on whole-person health—supporting the body, calming the mind, and staying prepared for the future.

We invite you to join us for our live events and ask your kidney-related questions! Find us on both Instagram and Facebook:

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

FB Live – Dec 3rd: In this bonus episode of Ask the Doctor, Dr. Velma Scantlebury goes live to help guide patients through some of the most common, and confusing, parts of the kidney disease journey. She’s breaking down treatment choices, special considerations around the holidays, cramping in both dialysis and transplant patients, and many other kidney-related topics.

Dr. Scantlebury breaks down what it means to be diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in stages 3–4, and why this timeframe can be an opportunity to learn about your future treatment options. She explains the differences between in-center hemodialysis, home hemodialysis, and peritoneal dialysis, as well as the considerations involved in pursuing a kidney transplant from either a living or deceased donor. From lifestyle and travel preferences to comfort level with self-dialysis or having a care partner, she highlights all the factors that can help patients make the right choice for their lives.

Since we are in the throes of the holiday season, Dr. Scantlebury also discusses why fluid management becomes especially important during this time of year. She offers tips for staying on track even when your routine is disrupted, whether you’re traveling, attending gatherings where food often means understanding the hidden extra fluids and sodium, or managing a changed dialysis schedule.

Finally, she addresses a common patient concern: cramping. Dr. Scantlebury explains the different causes of cramping in both dialysis and transplant patients, what it can signal about hydration or electrolyte balance, and why it’s always important to talk to your care team.

Tune in for practical, patient-centered advice to help you stay informed, confident, and prepared throughout your kidney care journey.

We invite you to join us for our live events and ask your kidney-related questions! Find us on both Instagram and Facebook:

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

FB Live – Nov 19th: Dr. Velma Scantlebury is back for another episode of Ask the Doctor, answering important kidney-related questions submitted by patients across the country. This month, she dives into how the transplant list works, shares essential holiday travel tips for kidney patients, and explains why some dialysis patients experience numbness in their hands, along with many other kidney health topics.

Dr. Scantlebury discusses what determines who receives the next available kidney and why patients might sometimes be passed over for an organ. She explains how factors such as compatibility, medical urgency, and organ condition play a role—and why the priority is ensuring a kidney goes to the best fit and is not wasted. She also outlines reasons a kidney might be skipped for a particular patient, from lab results to medical complications, helping patients understand the process more clearly.

Traveling or celebrating during the holidays? Dr. Scantlebury shares practical tips to stay safe and balanced. She reminds patients to monitor fluid intake (including hidden fluids in foods) and to be mindful of high-potassium dishes like potatoes. She also warns about salty foods that increase thirst, emphasizes taking binders with meals, and encourages bringing a kidney-friendly dish to gatherings. For those traveling, she stresses the importance of keeping medications in carry-on bags, bringing extra doses in case of delays, and never packing them in checked luggage.

traveling during the holidays. be careful with your fluid volume - remember there’s fluid in your foods! Be careful with potassium containing foods, like potatoes, and think about smaller portions. Be mindful of salty foods since they make you thirsty, and that you take your binders. Also think about bringing a kidney friendly meal to share! If you’re going someplace else other than home, make sure to take your medications with you! If traveling, take extra doses in case you hit travel delays, and always carry them in your personal items, don’t check them if you’re flying.

Dr. Scantlebury explains why some dialysis patients experience numbness or tingling in their hands. In certain cases, a fistula or graft can alter blood flow and steal circulation from the hand, depending on its size and placement. She discusses why this happens and what patients should report to their care team.

Packed with helpful insights and real-world guidance, this episode of Ask the Doctor helps kidney patients feel more informed, prepared, and confident in managing their health not only during the holiday season, but all year long.

We invite you to join us for our live events and ask your kidney-related questions! Find us on both Instagram and Facebook:

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

FB Live – October 15th: Dr. Velma Scantlebury is back and answering important patient questions for another episode of Ask the Doctor! This month, she’s talking about cancer screenings, how skipping dialysis treatment impacts your body, the role of binders versus blocker in phosphorous management, and many other kidney-related topics.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Dr. Scantlebury emphasizes the importance of using this time as a reminder to schedule all your annual screenings. Staying up to date on cancer screenings, stress tests, sleep apnea studies, and dental exams is especially important for transplant patients—being ready and cleared ensures you can move forward quickly when that long-awaited call for a kidney comes.

Unless specifically directed by your doctor, skipping dialysis is never a good idea. Dr. Scantlebury explains how missing treatments leads to fluid buildup, toxin accumulation, and increased strain on your heart—making it harder for your body to stay balanced and healthy. Regular dialysis is key to maintaining stability and staying strong for potential transplant opportunities.

Phosphorus control is vital for kidney patients, and Dr. Scantlebury breaks down how dietary changes, binders, and blockers each play a role. Binders work in your digestive tract to prevent phosphorus from being absorbed—making it important to take them with meals—while blockers, a newer class of medication, act in the bloodstream to further reduce phosphorus levels. For some patients, using both may be necessary to keep levels within a healthy range.

With warmth, expertise, and practical advice, Dr. Scantlebury helps kidney patients and caregivers stay informed and empowered in their care. Whether you’re on dialysis, awaiting a transplant, or supporting someone with kidney disease, this episode is full of essential insights for living well.

We invite you to join us for our live events and ask your kidney-related questions! Find us on both Instagram and Facebook:

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

FB Live – September 17th: In this episode of Ask the Doctor, DPC Education Center’s Healthcare Consultant, Dr. Velma Scantlebury, goes Live on Facebook to answer patient questions about living well with kidney disease. This month, she answers patient questions regarding important guidance on vaccines, recognizing the signs of kidney failure, the importance of routine cancer screenings, and many other kidney-related topics.

Because dialysis patients and transplant recipients are immunocompromised, vaccinations are critical for protection against serious illness. Dr. Scantlebury explains why kidney patients, regardless of age, qualify for the COVID vaccine, why annual boosters are needed, and the best timing for the flu shot to ensure protection through the winter months.

Kidney disease often develops silently, with no symptoms until it reaches advanced stages. Dr. Scantlebury highlights the importance of regular lab monitoring for those with diabetes or high blood pressure, the leading causes of kidney disease. Tracking creatinine and eGFR levels over time can help patients and their care teams detect changes early and take steps to protect kidney health.

For kidney patients, especially those on the transplant list, staying up to date with annual cancer screenings is essential. Early detection improves outcomes and ensures patients remain healthy and eligible for transplant when the opportunity arises.

As always, Dr. Scantlebury provides practical advice and insight to help equip patients and caregivers with the knowledge they need to stay proactive, healthy, and prepared in their kidney care journey.

We invite you to join us for our live events and ask your kidney-related questions! Find us on both Instagram and Facebook:

- IG Live @patientcitizens

- Facebook Live www.facebook.com/patientcitizens

FB Live – August 20th: In this episode of Ask the Doctor, DPC Education Center’s Healthcare Consultant, Dr. Velma Scantlebury goes Live on Facebook to answer patient questions about life with kidney disease. This month’s discussion focuses on transplant options, organ donation, the critical impact of anemia on kidney patients, and many other kidney-related topics.

Is there a limit to how many transplant lists a patient can join? Dr. Scantlebury explains that patients can list at multiple centers as long as they are able to travel to those hospitals when a kidney becomes available. She also highlights important considerations, such as having nearby support, being able to return for labs and biopsies after surgery, and ensuring follow-up care in the crucial early weeks post-transplant.

Dr. Scantlebury breaks down the two main types of kidney donation. Living donation occurs when a healthy person volunteers to donate one of their kidneys—something possible because most people are born with two but only need one to live. Deceased donation, which provides most transplant organs, happens when someone who is declared brain-dead donates their kidneys either through their prior decision or their family’s consent. She also explains directed donation, which can happen for either living or deceased donation, where a donor’s kidney can be given to a specific person in need or directed through paired exchange.

Anemia is more than low energy—it can be life-threatening for kidney patients. Healthy kidneys produce erythropoietin, a hormone that signals bone marrow to make red blood cells. When kidney function declines, so does red blood cell production, which reduces oxygen delivery throughout the body. This shortage puts additional stress on the heart, increasing the risk of heart disease and even heart attacks. Dr. Scantlebury stresses the importance of keeping hemoglobin levels above nine and explains how medications like Epogen injections can stimulate red blood cell production for patients.

Dr. Scantlebury provides expert insights to help patients and caregivers better understand kidney disease. Whether you’re waiting for a transplant, living with kidney disease, or supporting a loved one, this episode offers valuable guidance to help you stay informed and empowered.

We invite you to join us for our live events and ask your kidney-related questions! Find us on both Instagram and Facebook:

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

FB Live – July 16th: In this month’s episode of Ask the Doctor, DPC Education Center’s Healthcare Consultant, Dr. Velma Scantlebury, renowned transplant surgeon and advocate for kidney health, goes Live on Facebook to answer your most pressing questions about living with kidney disease. Tune in to hear her advice on preventing sepsis, managing post-transplant viruses, and addressing caregiver burnout, along with many other kidney-related topics.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that dialysis patients, whether you have a catheter, fistula, or peritoneal dialysis port, must vigilantly work to prevent. Dr. Scantlebury explains the importance of site hygiene and how simple daily practices can protect you. Keeping catheter or access sites clean, changing dressings regularly, and never ignoring contamination are all key steps in preventing harmful skin bacteria from entering the bloodstream.

After a transplant, patients are placed on immunosuppressant medications to prevent organ rejection. but this suppression can allow dormant viruses to reactivate. Two of the most common culprits are CMV (cytomegalovirus) and BK virus. Dr. Scantlebury explains how these viruses, which most people carry unknowingly, can become dangerous post-transplant. They can cause damage to the transplanted kidney, potentially leading to rejection or loss of kidney function. She also touches on how the immune system may develop new antibodies against the donor kidney, adding further complications that require ongoing monitoring and careful adjustment of anti-rejection medications. This is just one of the many reasons it is so important for patients to stay up to date with their labs and working closely with their healthcare teams to catch any signs of infection or rejection quickly so they can be treated.

Whether it is caring for someone with chronic kidney disease or post-transplant recovery, being a caregiver is a demanding job, both physically and emotionally. Dr. Scantlebury discusses the signs of caregiver burnout and offers practical advice for preventing it. Whether it's scheduling days off, sharing responsibilities with family or friends, or simply making time for self-care, she emphasizes the importance of supporting the health and well-being of those who provide care.

Packed with expert insights and actionable advice, this episode is a must-listen for patients, caregivers, and anyone navigating life with kidney disease or transplant recovery. Dr. Scantlebury brings clarity and compassion to these critical health issues and reminds us all of the importance of staying informed, prepared, and supported.

We invite you to join us for our live events and ask your kidney-related questions! Find us on both Instagram and Facebook:

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

FB Live – June 18th: In this episode of Ask the Doctor, DPC Education Center’s Healthcare Consultant, Dr. Velma Scantlebury goes Live on Facebook to answer real questions from kidney patients across the country. This month, Dr. Scantlebury covers essential summertime advice, transplant readiness tips, explains the importance of albumin in managing your health, along with many other kidney-related topics.

Hot weather can pose serious risks for dialysis and kidney transplant patients. Dr. Scantlebury discusses how to avoid overheating and maintain safe fluid levels, especially for those on dialysis or diuretics (water pills). She offers practical suggestions like using portable fans, staying indoors, hydrating safely with ice chips or frozen grapes, and recognizing the warning signs your body might be giving you. For anyone managing strict fluid restrictions, these tips can help you stay safe while keeping cool.

Being on the transplant list is only part of the journey—staying ready is just as important. Dr. Scantlebury shares key steps dialysis patients can take to improve their chances for a successful transplant. Maintaining good physical stamina is critical; in some cases, physical therapy may be needed to ensure you’re strong enough to walk shortly after surgery. She also emphasizes the importance of staying up to date with all required medical screenings, including cancer screenings, echocardiograms, and stress tests, and treating any infections right away, since even minor illnesses can delay or disqualify a transplant.

One of the many things checked during these labs and screenings are albumin levels, but what does that really mean? Dr. Scantlebury explains that albumin is a protein in your blood that helps regulate fluid balance. When albumin levels are low, your body can’t properly hold fluid in your bloodstream, which leads to swelling and tissue buildup (edema). She explains how protein intake plays a role in albumin levels and encourages patients to work closely with a nutritionist to improve dietary habits and overall health.

We invite you to join us for our live events and ask your kidney-related questions! Find us on both Instagram and Facebook:

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