About to start dialysis.

[Irelandy]

Hi there, I'm about to start dialysis and I'm in a quandary as to which type to choose. I would like to hear from members of the community with their comments and experience.

Thanks in advance.

Andy.

[rabbit01]

Sorry to hear that you are now at that stage Andy. I can only talk from experience of doing peritoneal dialysis. I hated the thought of sticking needles in myself. I also did a tour of the local HD centre and it was such a grim place and everyone looked so sad. Doing PD means I can do it at home. The downside is that I have to do 4 exchanges every day although some people use a machine over night. Also what was previously my home office is now full of dialysis equipment and boxes of fluid. But I still prefer it to the thought of doing HD. One last thing. I can take my PD stuff away with me and have short holidays and do the dialysis in the hotel room. Done this about 4 times since starting PD 20 months ago.

[Irelandy in reply to rabbit01]

Thank you so much for your advice Rabbit01. I am meeting my renal team tomorrow and I think it is a good idea to see both types of dialysis up close and to talk with them. I had an unexpected call from a friend who got a kidney transplant 27 years ago and it's still going strong.Best wishes for you 😊

[rabbit01 in reply to Irelandy]

Well good luck. Keep us updated Andy.

[phoenix45]

Hi Andy, it must have come as a bit of a shock when you were told you would need dialysis. I was lucky, even though I've only been on dialysis for about 9 months my nephrologist had explained everything in detail years before hand, so I was well prepared. I had a fistula made several years ago, so it was nicely matured when I had to start dialysis. I'm doing hemo in a centre, 4hours at a time, 3 afternoons a week. The crowd there are generally a friendly, happy crowd although you always get one or two who look like they've just eaten a lemon. It is a tie on your time and it can leave you feeling run down/tired afterwards. The upside is that the rest of the time you feel nearly normal - I have a high energy young dog that I take for a run two or three times a day - I know I could do with some of his energy but I manage. The thought of the needles doesn't really bother me, I just look away. There are sprays and creams to deaden the area so you don't feel the pain.

Whether you decide for HD or PD I wish you well.

Chris

[Irelandy in reply to phoenix45]

Thanks for taking the trouble to share your experience Chris. I am meeting my renal team tomorrow and I am leaning towards haemo in the hospital with a view to moving onto home haemo.Hopefully they can arrange for me to talk with several fellow travellers and witness both types before a final decision has to be made.

Good luck to you and thanks again,

Andy.

[Christine501]

I attended an open evening at my Hospital, and there were 2 patients there who were on PD and on HD, and I saw PD in action. Both patients spoke about their experiences, which was quite helpful. The next year, I was the PD patient sharing my experiences! I opted for PD, as I am retired and liked the idea of being at home and able to do the dialysis when it suited me, and this allowed me to work my day around fluid exchanges. I also managed to get away for short holidays, as all the fluids and the machine were easily portable, with a car. I had no problems , and because my own Kidneys still functioned (EGFR 12) I managed to reduce exchanges to 2 per day, then come off for short periods. Happily, I had my Kidney Transplant last July so am free from dialysis. I understand that PD is more gentle on your Kidneys than HD. With PD you will need to get a PD tube fitted, and it is a bit of a nuisance, but I don't have unsightly scars on my arms from having a Fistula. Good Luck with whatever you choose.

[Irelandy in reply to Christine501]

Hi Christine 501 and thanks for you reply. I will be meeting my renal team tomorrow and am quite apprehensive as to where it will leave me, I was told they would be assessing my arms for fistula and taking bloods and tissue.You were very lucky to get a transplant and I am pleased to hear all is going well.

My team are based in Belfast City Hospital which is world renowned for kidney care.

Thanks again for your advice and experience,

Best wishes, Andy.