My GFR is currently 13. However it slipped to 7 when I had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic. So the doctors suggested having my PD catheter inserted and ready to use as I very keen to dialyse at home and avoid heamo.
My question is now my GFR is back up to 13. Can I push back on starting the training and the dialysis? I don't suffer any symptoms. Maybe a bit of tiredness but usually I'm fine so I'm wondering whether i should just go for it and start dialysis or whether to hold out until my GFR drops further?
It's probablyok to hold back but the idea is to try and preserve as much as your natural kidney function as possible I have been on PD 6 years and just gone onto heamo . Like yourself I hadwanted to try and avoid it as much as possible but after 7-7 on PD it has started to not be as effective ! But luckily I still have a bit of kidney function available to pee which at this stage is fantastic for me as the 1 L of fluid per day restriction is very very hard to keep to so what I'm saying is maybe it's a good idea to start now and keep as much of your natural kidney function as possible . Alternatively if and when your kidneys do totally fail you will be dependent on more prescription drugs to substitute your lack of kidney function ! Example blood pressure medication dietetics (water tablets) anemia injections weekly (EPO) iron infusions. The worst for me have been the phosphate binders . Phosphate is in almost everything you eat and if the level of phosphate in your blood is high for long periods it can later on in life cause renal bone disease ! These problems should be discused with you by your renal team beforehand to see what's best for you . Hope this helps you decide
Thanks for the comments, this had really helped. I've been told today I'm not starting the training until 15th Dec so I'll have a good month to get used to the catheter before using it. I've been taking the Blood Pressure tabs and EPO, not started the binders yet. Is the reason you have been dialysing for so long because of the lack of a donor match or do you prefer it to a transplant?
No the PD is full of sugar and over time I put on 19kg and I'm on the SKP transplant list kidney pancreas . And because my weight was 119kg my BMI was 35 and they refused to do the transplant because of complications afterwards ! However I've now lost the 19kg and at the moment getting un suspended and going live on the UK transplant data base once again !
Thanks for the comments, this had really helped. I've been told today I'm not starting the training until 15th Dec so I'll have a good month to get used to the catheter before using it. I've been taking the Blood Pressure tabs and EPO, not started the binders yet. Is the reason you have been dialysing for so long because of the lack of a donor match or do you prefer it to a transplant?
Your website is great and your guidance really useful I have also started a wordpress called lovekidneycare.com
I'm really interested in your approach to natural remedies and looking forward to reading up on its effectiveness. Good luck and keep up the great work
Thank you for the link to your website ... it's really good, I found some useful information on there ... wish you all the best on your journey and look forward to seeing how you get on.
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