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What can I expect on dialysis? How does it affect your daily life?
Kidney & Bladder | Last Active: Oct 16, 2022 | Replies (40)Comment receiving replies
Steve I read your post and see you have been on dialysis since around October. I am scheduled for my fistula placement on February 10th. I am scared of course. Scared of the surgery, scared of starting dialysis. Trying to be upbeat for all family around me. I don’t know how it will feel. So many questions. How will I feel after each time ? Some people I read have gone on special practically vegan diets to improve their numbers. My nephrologist told me my diet would. It change anything. I don’t know if that is good information from him or not. Hope you are doing well with your dialysis. Thanks for letting me vent my fears and questions to you. I am not a spring chicken…74 years old. Wishing you the best. Peggy
Replies to "Steve I read your post and see you have been on dialysis since around October. I..."
Hi Peggy, How are you doing? How did the fistula placement go?
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@pegalini Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I just had my fistula placed on 12/27/21, at age 68 1/2. As a left-handed person, I was lucky to get it on my right wrist. One thing I didn't stop to think about, was how much I use my non-dominant hand! They have told me it is a 3-4 month healing process for this fistula. It was placed as a "backup" since my intention is to do peritoneal dialysis.
As my nephrologist told me, you watch yourself carefully, and enter dialysis in as good a health as possible. Follow what a renal dietician will tell you, keeping your protein levels up, as dialysis will deplete your system. Pay close attention to your fluid intake, and how you spend your energy.
Peggy, do you have a support system in place, family and friends? Is there a support group nearby to you? I suggest you take a look at rsnhope.org. They host a Zoom support group twice a month, and the website is a great source of information. Let me know if I can answer any questions for you? What is the cause of your kidney disease?
Ginger