1. < Kidney & Bladder
Mentor

What's your experience with dialysis? Give & get support here

Posted by Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor @rosemarya, Mar 7, 2019

Dialysis is required if your kidneys don't function adequately on their own. Your doctor will discuss with you the type of dialysis that's best for you. Dialysis treatment is a serious responsibility, You'll need to work closely with your health care team who have experience in managing dialysis. Open communication with your health care team is essential to your overall health.

Fellow patients are a wonderful source of support and practical information because of a shared dialysis experience.
If you are a dialysis patient, or loved one of a patient, what are some things that you have experienced that might be helpful to someone who is new to dialysis? What kind of life adjustments have you had to make? How has it affected your everyday life?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Kidney & Bladder Support Group.

fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Jan 17, 2021
In reply to @kamama94 "New graft placed Wednesday, home from hospital Thursday. Good thrill and bruit, incisions barely tender and..." + (show)
@kamama94

New graft placed Wednesday, home from hospital Thursday. Good thrill and bruit, incisions barely tender and graft area bruised abut not sore. Slight kidney improvement continues, though this trend might be interrupted by the physiological effects of anesthesia and vascular surgery. Will know more in a week to 10 days when more labs are drawn. Meanwhile, it's a good day to live!

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@kamama94, So happy to hear from you and especially that the graft placement was successful! You are a wonderful warrior and mentor for the rest of us! Gentle hugs to you for many, many more very good days ahead!

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fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Jan 17, 2021
In reply to @gingerw "@kamama94 Glad you had the graft placed. Even though you do not need it right now,..." + (show)
@gingerw

@kamama94 Glad you had the graft placed. Even though you do not need it right now, it may be available to you in the fututre. I sincerely hope that it is not needed!

My kidney function is going down, and may be starting on dialysis of some sort in 2021. Planning to be as strong as I can, for as long as I can.
Ginger

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@gingerw, You bring so much comfort and encouragement to others that I'm just adding more cyber strength as you meet the days ahead. Please keep us informed on changes in your kidney journey. Hugs!

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kamama94 | @kamama94 | Jan 27, 2021

Labs still ok, renal function ever so slightly decreased from lab results prior to surgery but identical to the 1st results leading to dialysis discontinuation. Decrease due to surgical procedure expected and labs still good enough to continue without dialysis.
Food can be medicine and healthy eating and adequate rest can help. It once was thought kidney tissue did not regenerate but now there's some evidence that it actually can do so. These factors plus a little luck (?) perhaps in terms of "it's not my time yet" plus the positive support from all of you has helped improve everything.
I'm so grateful!
It would be unrealistic to expect current function levels to maintain indefinitely.
All the more reason today is a great day to live!

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2 replies
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jan 27, 2021
In reply to @kamama94 "Labs still ok, renal function ever so slightly decreased from lab results prior to surgery but..." + (show)
@kamama94

Labs still ok, renal function ever so slightly decreased from lab results prior to surgery but identical to the 1st results leading to dialysis discontinuation. Decrease due to surgical procedure expected and labs still good enough to continue without dialysis.
Food can be medicine and healthy eating and adequate rest can help. It once was thought kidney tissue did not regenerate but now there's some evidence that it actually can do so. These factors plus a little luck (?) perhaps in terms of "it's not my time yet" plus the positive support from all of you has helped improve everything.
I'm so grateful!
It would be unrealistic to expect current function levels to maintain indefinitely.
All the more reason today is a great day to live!

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@kamama94 I love your spirit! I had labs done today. Last two done showed my eGFR at 24%. Hoping today's doesn't show a decrease. In 5 weeks I get my big tests done in preparation for appts on 3/3 and 3/9.
Ginger

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1 reply
kamama94 | @kamama94 | Jan 27, 2021

@gingerw, keeping my fingers crossed for both of us!

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fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Jan 28, 2021
In reply to @kamama94 "Labs still ok, renal function ever so slightly decreased from lab results prior to surgery but..." + (show)
@kamama94

Labs still ok, renal function ever so slightly decreased from lab results prior to surgery but identical to the 1st results leading to dialysis discontinuation. Decrease due to surgical procedure expected and labs still good enough to continue without dialysis.
Food can be medicine and healthy eating and adequate rest can help. It once was thought kidney tissue did not regenerate but now there's some evidence that it actually can do so. These factors plus a little luck (?) perhaps in terms of "it's not my time yet" plus the positive support from all of you has helped improve everything.
I'm so grateful!
It would be unrealistic to expect current function levels to maintain indefinitely.
All the more reason today is a great day to live!

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@kamama94, Good news that labs are still ok! And so true that healthy eating, adequate rest plus daily smiles can help. How encouraging to read that some evidence is now revealing that kidney tissue may regenerate! Are you experiencing more daily energy since being off dialysis? Hope so. Hugs

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1 reply
fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Jan 28, 2021
In reply to @gingerw "@kamama94 I love your spirit! I had labs done today. Last two done showed my eGFR..." + (show)
@gingerw

@kamama94 I love your spirit! I had labs done today. Last two done showed my eGFR at 24%. Hoping today's doesn't show a decrease. In 5 weeks I get my big tests done in preparation for appts on 3/3 and 3/9.
Ginger

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@gingerw, Yes to the spirit and encouragement both you and @kamama94 share with us! How soon will you receive results of your last eGFR lab? Will be thinking of you and sending you strength as you prepare going forward.

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1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jan 28, 2021
In reply to @fiesty76 "@gingerw, Yes to the spirit and encouragement both you and @kamama94 share with us! How soon..." + (show)
@fiesty76

@gingerw, Yes to the spirit and encouragement both you and @kamama94 share with us! How soon will you receive results of your last eGFR lab? Will be thinking of you and sending you strength as you prepare going forward.

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@fiesty76 I'll get them in an email in about a week. Most likely my PCP will have them when I go in next Tues, though, so I'll ask for a copy then.
Ginger

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kamama94 | @kamama94 | Jan 28, 2021
In reply to @fiesty76 "@kamama94, Good news that labs are still ok! And so true that healthy eating, adequate rest..." + (show)
@fiesty76

@kamama94, Good news that labs are still ok! And so true that healthy eating, adequate rest plus daily smiles can help. How encouraging to read that some evidence is now revealing that kidney tissue may regenerate! Are you experiencing more daily energy since being off dialysis? Hope so. Hugs

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@fiesty76, more energy, yes. Still get tired but that's what naps are for. Am almost back to where I was 8 months ago!

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fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Jan 29, 2021

@kamama94, Good news on the increased energy and as a big believer in naps, can only celebrate with you as I'll soon be taking mine. smiles Super celebration for feeling much more like you did 8 mos ago. Wonderful!

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