Does dialysis make you feel better or worse

[brynat2]

My husband's creatinine is at a level 10 and is not on dialysis. He doesn't have too many physical symptoms except a little fatigue and doesn't sleep well. His nephrologist talks to him about but I think he's scared not knowing what to expect. Does it make you feel better or worse? I heard that it makes you really tired.

[Hotgirl74]

Hello , I’m 44 years old and I’m on dialysis 3xs a week 3/12 hours for each treatment. After receiving my treatment I feel a lot better. It depends on the person on how they feel after treatments

[Cazzy41]

Hey there. I was on dialysis for just over four years and I was lucky to get a transplant. Whilst I was on dialysis I want to be completely honest, I never felt ill at any time through all my treatment. Yes the longer I was on it the more tired I became but I’m a single mum and it never stopped me doing my housework or my shopping for groceries I just had an hours sleep after everything was done. But everyone is different and you can be affected in many ways. The one issue I did have was low iron. Even though my HB was 14.5 which is high my ferritin levels sat at about 67. The problem I had was as quick as I was making iron I was using it before I had chance of store it. So every two weeks I would have an iron infusion through the actual machine. Please face it with an open mind as you may be just like me. But remember your bloods are taken and checked frequently so any issues and your team will find it straight away. Good luck and please keep me posted xxx

[rabbit01]

I was the same. I was feeling not too bad at 10% but then it will really start to drop and he will look round and he will be a 8% and then he's going to start feeling awful. Honestly I put it off like your husband so I know what it feels like. I have just yesterday had the operation to fit the PD pipework and I can't start dialysis for another 4 weeks so I need to make my remaining 6.5% last. Tell him not to wait too long.

[RhenDutchess123 in reply to rabbit01]

You will feel so much better...They said it would take 3 months to feel full effects...but I felt it right away....I am now at 4 months and feeling even better...I look back 4 months ago and realize how bad I use to feel...I do nighttime PD with a Cycler and after I unhook for the day I forget that I am even on Dialysis...Take good care of your exit site and do just what your PD Nurse trains you to do....You have alot to look forward too...Congratulations !!

[rabbit01 in reply to RhenDutchess123]

Yes I have been on it now for 21 months. It is going fine. I am a simple chap and have taken retirement so I do manuals. I have got a good little system going. I have even been away for short breaks and done the dialysis in the hotel room. I am so grateful to whoever came up with peritoneal dialysis.

[RhenDutchess123 in reply to rabbit01]

Me too !!

[Frankie24]

I was on hemodialysis and felt horrible on my days on. I started at 8 gfr. After losing a full day three times a week, my off days were fine, I switched to Peritoneal Dialysis, I do it at home at my convenience, I feel great, everyone tells me how good I look, I have returned to my regular hours at work and I am doing things I was missing out on. The down side is the tube in your belly, surgery was easy, laparoscopic, but I don’t mind because it is working out so well ! So if you haven’t considered this you really should. I have polysistic kidney disease and my kidneys are quite large, but it is working out fine.

[rabbit01 in reply to Frankie24]

That is good to hear as I have just had the PD operation yesterday and will be starting dialysis as soon as I am trained and healed.

[AnneEG in reply to Frankie24]

Can I ask if you need a general anaesthetic to get tube put in.

[Porter20 in reply to AnneEG]

Yes it is a quick surgery but the worse part of pd.

[3Kidneys]

I have been on hemodialysis- it was not for me, totally wiped me out for the rest of the day...not to mention a very restrictive diet. I’ve also had a transplant which failed after 9years. I’m currently on peritoneal dialysis- it’s so much easier on me and I do it while I sleep. I work full time and pretty much do whatever I want (I have back issues, so I am cautious with certain activities.

[brynat2 in reply to 3Kidneys]

What’s the difference between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis?

[3Kidneys in reply to brynat2]

Hemodialysis they filter your blood through a machine You’re connected to the machine by either a catheter or through a fistula which you connect by inserting needles into the fistula It generally takes 3-4 hours 3 times per week if done in center. But a lot of people now do this at home as well, and some do it for a couple of hours each day . But you do have to have someone with you while you’re connected to the machine So basically all your blood is pulled out of your body and cleaned through a filter and put back into you. It has a very restrictive diet along with fluid restrictions.

Peritoneal dialysis you have either a chest or abdominal catheter (I have a chest catheter) and you insert basically sugar water into your body. After it sits for a prescribed time you drain it out. (Kind of like putting sugar onto strawberries to get the juice out). This can be done either manually or with a machine called a cycler. I use the cycler, I connect to it before I go to bed and when I get up, I disconnect The diet and fluid restrictions are much more lax. Let me know if you have any more questions.

[brynat2 in reply to 3Kidneys]

Thank you for explaining!

[Tissybell]

It helps to contact a dialysis to give you an in-depth education about dialysis ,which help quell predialysis anxiety. Ask plenty of questions. I chose Peritoneal dialysis, which is easier on your body especially your heart. I tried the overnight cycler

[Tissybell in reply to Tissybell]

and then switched to one manual bag per day. I continue to lose weight, and my diabetes is well-controlled. aI usually feel great, and take injections when low iron makes me tired.

[alport45 in reply to Tissybell]

How do you get by on only manual one exchange a day? I'm on PD using the cycler but believe manual exchanges would be easier when travelling. I've been told I'll need to do 4 a day.

[Tissybell in reply to alport45]

every person's needs are different. Perhaps my residual function was a factor, plus a good diet. Maybe weight is a factor.Ask your nephrologist.

[Porter20 in reply to alport45]

I did 4 bags a day traveled with my bags & supplies. Felt great. Manual PD bags worked much better than a machine. I now have a transplant for which I am thankful!

[Porter20 in reply to Tissybell]

Me as well… cycle machine was horrible!

[Porter20]

I think it depends on the type of diaylsis done. I did pd felt great lived life normally between treatments. Scheduled carefully never missed treatments.