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When do you know if it is time to start dialysis with CKD?
Caregivers | Last Active: Jul 8 11:24am | Replies (45)Comment receiving replies
That was very helpful and insightful. I am still confused as to what symptoms are the factors in deciding? The nephrologist said she doesn’t just go by labs, but also symptoms. But what symptoms? Like being fatigued for more than x number of hours per day? Pain? Gout? And at what point of GFR do people go on dialysis?
I think my husband has gradually gotten used to being fatigued and in pain over the years and just keeps thinking he is “not that bad”. But I do not want to be the one that pushes him into it before he is ready.
Replies to "That was very helpful and insightful. I am still confused as to what symptoms are the..."
He will make the right decision when it's time.
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@jprust What many of us will tell you, is that chronic kidney disease usually sneaks up on us. That is to say, our bodies get used to the kidneys slowly losing function, and accommodate for it. It is only after we look backwards that we might realize we weren't feeling good for some time! Add in other health issues like his fibromyalgia, and you get my picture, right?
Symptoms your husband might consider, and his nephrologist is looking at, is his daily energy level, how he feels, how is his sleep quality, his appetite., even his skin health [does it have good color, or pasty] She is looking at his albumin levels, among other blood test values.
In my own situation, I wanted dialysis to help me recover some kidney function, which it has, and help me feel better by cleaning my blood more completely than my failing kidneys were doing.
Ginger