Dialysis Day very anxiety provoking

[Frankie24]

Good Morning, it is dialysis day once again. On top of all my mental health issues each treatment wreaks havoc on me both mentally and physically. I get very anxious sitting in center for four hours three times a week. I try to stay quite busy on my days off but it doesn’t help me with my days on. I try to read, watch movies on my iPad, watch tv but nothing helps. I get up at 3:00am hoping I will be able to sleep during treatment but never can. I only have one arm available during treatment so it makes it hard. I can’t knit or do anything like that. I have tried meditation but that doesn’t work either. I listen to audibles as well. Nothing helps. Any suggestions would be appreciated . I have already reached out in dialysis support but not very many helpful suggestions that I have not already tried. I also take Ativan before each session And this does not help either.

[Dolphin14]

Hi

My sister and mother were both dialysis patients. My mother would read and my sister listened to music.

Sounds like you have tried the obvious. Games on your iPad? There are interactive game apps. What about something like that? Scrabble?

🐬

[Krn210]

Do you have anyone you could call and talk to while there? Sometimes a good conversation can keep you distracted for a little while.

[Frankie24 in reply to Krn210]

No , I am in the isolation room where I actually do better as the activity and noise level in the main part of the clinic was even more anxiety provoking . Thank you for responding.

[delta50]

Stay away from Ativan. I became dependent on it and took it as it was prescribed. It caused more harm than I can share here.