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When do you know if it is time to start dialysis with CKD?

Posted by jprust @jprust, Feb 16, 2023

My spouse seems to be declining more but his labs are staying steady. His GFR is 17, his creatine is 3.4. He is 6’1” and now weighs 163 pounds. He is in pain and very fatigued-sleeps a lot. He also has fibromyalgia and has been in pain from that for a decade. So it is difficult to know about the source of the pain. I feel like we are waiting for something to happen-like a sign. Any clues as to what finally happened to cause you to go on dialysis.

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christinebarnett72 | @christinebarnett72 | Jul 7 6:46pm
In reply to @christinebarnett72 "He has a skin change he has a nose bleeds he's nauseous and vomiting all the..." + (show)
@christinebarnett72

He has a skin change he has a nose bleeds he's nauseous and vomiting all the time he's very very tired and it just seems like they're doing nothing for him

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He's actually at 10%

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christinebarnett72 | @christinebarnett72 | Jul 7 6:46pm
In reply to @christinebarnett72 "He's actually at 10%" + (show)
@christinebarnett72

He's actually at 10%

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I would give him a kidney but I don't know how to go about that

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jul 7 7:02pm
In reply to @christinebarnett72 "He's my ex-husband actually and he I think is in total denial I think his nephrologist..." + (show)
@christinebarnett72

He's my ex-husband actually and he I think is in total denial I think his nephrologist isn't offering him anything in fact Robert told me today that his doctor supposed to let him know when it's time to go on dialysis I don't understand it

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@christinebarnett72 He may need to take a hard stand with his nephrologist and tell him it is time to talk about dialysis. At 10% he could start dialysis at any time. And in my experience, starting dialysis when you are in crisis and percentage keeps dropping, is not good. You say he is not feeling well, vomiting, and these are classic signs he needs help now! If his nephrologist isn't aware of how he is feeling, or doesn't seem to care, he needs a different nephrologist, in my humble opinion. I wouldn't want him to have to go to an emergency department because his doctor wasn't listening to him!

The transplant process can be confusing. Here is information from Mayo Clinic on kidney transplant that may be helpful to you: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/kidney-transplant/about/pac-20384777 Please read it through.
Ginger

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Jul 7 7:02pm
In reply to @christinebarnett72 "He has a skin change he has a nose bleeds he's nauseous and vomiting all the..." + (show)
@christinebarnett72

He has a skin change he has a nose bleeds he's nauseous and vomiting all the time he's very very tired and it just seems like they're doing nothing for him

Jump to this post

@christinebarnett72 From reading your comments and @gingerw comment, I believe it is time to find s newnephrologist who can help him better.
Also, when your former husband is very sick, take him to the ER. Let them evaluate things and recommend a nephrologist.
Your ex is very lucky to still have you in his life. Would he allow you to go to doctor’s appointments with him? Do you think he would talk to you about the possibility?

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laurie6 | @laurie6 | Jul 8 11:24am

Denial is not so unusual, I’m finding out.

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