Fascinating article on wearable artificial kidney

[Bassetmommer]

This is a fascinating report on the progress of artificial kidneys. Very promising:

mddionline.com/behind-inven...

[Bunkin]

Very exciting to me! 😀

[RhenDutchess123 in reply to Bunkin]

they are also working on a Biotic Kidney too.....except it is about the size of a normal kidney and implanted into the body

[Bunkin in reply to RhenDutchess123]

Yes I follow both of those things. I’m confident it’s just around the bend😀

[RhenDutchess123 in reply to Bunkin]

me too...they say as early as 2020...2025...

[Bunkin in reply to RhenDutchess123]

I’m hoping for 2020!!😂😂

[steve680 in reply to RhenDutchess123]

Right, the USF project. That sounds more appealing to me as it avoids dialysis completely and in some ways better than a transplant since you won't have to take anti-rejection medication.

[steve680]

They sure make hemodialysis sound like a total nightmare. I guess it is.

[Bunkin in reply to steve680]

I hate reading negative stuff. It’s like every time you read about it, it’s horrible but I’ve seen posts from people on this site who’ve said dialysis makes them feel better. That’s what I’m aiming for and that’s how I’ll be going into it. Attitude is important 😀

[RhenDutchess123 in reply to Bunkin]

i am going to try the peritoneal dialysis at home....until a transplant and/or new technology....Dialysis doesnt sound fun...but at the same time i feel grateful that there IS a treatment...many diseases dont have any and are far worse

[Bunkin in reply to RhenDutchess123]

Me too! I feel the same as you. I can do it til new technology comes along and remind myself that at least there is something that can be done😀

[RhenDutchess123 in reply to Bunkin]

are you on transplant list ?

[Bunkin in reply to RhenDutchess123]

Yes. Went on list 2 years ago. But don’t have a living donor and have pretty much decided against transplant and just go with dialysis til something better comes along. I don’t feel the risks from all the medicine would be worth it

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to Bunkin]

I really like your positivity. I too am hoping for something to come along other than dialysis. I am not a candidate for transplant.

[Bunkin in reply to Bassetmommer]

I am on transplant list but have no donor. Since I went on list 2 years ago, I’ve pretty much decided against it and just go with dialysis til the new wearable kidney or bionic kidney comes along. Due to my age and I don’t want to take all the drugs involved with transplant. To go thru all that for maybe 5 years, just doesn’t seem worth it. If I were younger, I may feel differently. Most people wouldn’t understand my way of thinking but everyone feels differently I guess.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to Bunkin]

HI Bunkin, I get what you are saying about the medications for transplant. That is one of the reasons I would not be a candidate. The other reason is that I would feel bad at my age taking a kidney when someone who is much younger could have used it. I just can't seem to get past that.

[Bunkin in reply to Bassetmommer]

I hear what you’re saying. I did try to get a donor in the beginning but no one wanted to. Then after reading about cadaver kidneys and how they don’t last that long, I just couldn’t see going thru that. Plus I get colds and stuff very easily now, getting one with no immune system would probably do me in. Plus I find it ridiculous that you have to go and get all that testing done every year for no reason. There’s no way I would get a kidney before 6 years anyway

[RhenDutchess123 in reply to Bunkin]

i know that bothers me too....the heartbreak of going through the testing and not accepted....but you still have to pay for it....and even if you are accepted..just a change in health or insurance coverage can make you have to be re-accepted......if you have a live donor than you can somewhat pick your day of surgery...if you have to go with a cadavar it could be anywhere from a couple months to a couple years...living on edge ..waiting for phone to ring...would be hard to make plans for anything else

[Bunkin in reply to RhenDutchess123]

Exactly. And there was one test they wanted me to go have every 3 months. I did it a couple of times then thought that’s silly. New rules are even if you’re on the list, if you’re not on dialysis, all dialysis patients will be put ahead of you. I got on the list in 2017 and that test is very expensive and basically useless.

[RhenDutchess123 in reply to Bunkin]

are you on dialysis yet...and if not..what type are you considering ?

[Bunkin in reply to RhenDutchess123]

Not yet but will be soon. I’m going for PD

[daxielovinglady]

In the United Kingdom we have a different way of dealing with the situation, thank goodness for our much beloved NHS (National Health Service) it's there for everyone.