Scared to death

[Guinapig]

I need dialysis. I have extreme needle fobia and cant cope with the fear. I'm getting consumed with anxiety and fear. I have had to take a leave of absence from work I am so distraught over this. Can someone please help me

[DaveThebe]

Please calm down, you will be fine. At stage 4 who told you you need dialysis and what’s your Gfr? Normally people start preparing for dialysis at stage 5 with a Gfr below 10. Are you under the care of a Nephrologist?

[Jayhawker]

I agree; Stage V is when most actually start dialysis. You have said you are currently in Stage IV in your bio.

Do you have the option to try PD dialysis rather than HD?

PD doesn’t use needles. So if it’s posdible for you, you might want to consider PD rather than HD.

I’ve also visited the dialysis clinic rhst will be providing my PD training as well as my ongoing care once I start PD. That helped alleviate much of the stress I had begun to experience as I wait out actually being placed on dialysis.

Let us know how you’re doing...

Jayhawker

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Hi Guinapig,

The best way to get over a fear is to face it head on. Go the dialysis center if there is one near. Get trained on the different forms of dialysis, some do not require needles such as PD. And lastly, are you stage 4 or 5? Do you really have to start dialysis now? Ease into to it by getting more comfortable with it. Often, our own fears are much more than the reality warrants. And I am sure there are many others out there that have needle fears and I bet they have ways to help with that professionally. So go find out. Good luck.

[Allank]

just wondering , cancer patients have ports for their chemo treatments ,is there something similar for dialysis ?

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador in reply to Allank]

Yes there are catheters for neck, tunneled chest catheters, femoral catheters. They can be unreliable and are susceptible to infection which can be life threatening. Fistulas or grafts are better choices with less overall risk of infection. I had a fear of needles but faced them head on by doing my own sticks. This completely alleviated any and all worries and fears. Hang in there.

Dialysis almost 18 years

Blessings

[daxielovinglady]

Getting my head around what was to come was enormous, a visit to the Renal Unit helped me after a meeting at the Education Centre. Everything was explained with guest speakers, who .,having been through the same scary moments, were able to answer all questions asked from the room . Dialysis staff are there to help not hurt, the renal unit quickly becomes a 'club' for privileged members.

[Hidden]

You need to find a therapist who will work with you on desensitizing your fear of needles.

Believe it or not this can ususally be done pretty easily.

In the meantime, go back to work. Staying home and obsessing over your fear is it making it worse.

There is help and you can do this. Good luck.

[Tissybell]

You di not have to do hemodialysis which requires needles. I di PD dialysis at hime, which requires no needles. Talk to your nephrologist about this option. You can also try a nigh time cycler than dialyses while you sleep. No pain unless you yank on your catheter. Ask your nephrologist about train

[Tissybell]

whuch can overcome your fears. If you are at Stage IV it is possible to keep kidney function for a while with your kidney staff to do this with diet and avoiding nsaids.