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When do you know if it is time to start dialysis with CKD?
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) | Last Active: Feb 8 12:00pm | Replies (52)Comment receiving replies
@gingerw Hi Ginger, I realize this post is a handful of years old. It prompted a question, when you say dialysis helped you recover some kidney function, does that mean that your kidney can start working a little better? Like your EFGR can come up a bit? Thank you.
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@sultanvr I started dialysis with an eGFR of 14%. Many patients start at a lower value, sometimes 10 or lower. I had started on treatment for multiple myeloma Aug 2021, and was really getting in to the side effects of that. My kidneys were continuing to decline, as was my quality of life, so I decided to go ahead with dialysis to give me every fighting chance. Dialysis helps remove toxins, and is a treatment but not a cure. We have seen that by monitoring things closely, and being proactive, my eGFR is up to 16-17% at times. For my thinking, any little bit helps.
Without a doubt, I can tell you overall I am functioning better. July 2024 we changed out my dextrose-based dialysate solution to a maltose-based solution, for a long dwell. This has benefited me by also bringing some of the cancer markers down, given me more energy and quality of life.
Ginger