Dialysis Feel better or worse?

[Doremikid]

My primary says his ckd patients feel better on dialysis. However some of my research indicates the opposite. If some of you on this forum, currently on dialysis, could respond, I would appreciate a brief answer to the following: Do you feel better or worse?

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

this is a sister site to this one for patients who are on dialysis. this might be a better place to ask your question since most of us here are not on dialysis.

healthunlocked.com/nkf-dial...

[3Kidneys in reply to Bassetmommer]

When I started dialysis, I was was very sick, they didn’t think I would leave the hospital alive. I went into acute renal failure. They put me on hemodialysis, as I slowly got better they then transferred me to in center hemodialysis. While it did the job, it also comes with its own set of issues. I was nauseous constantly, my blood pressure was all over the place, extremely tired, issues trying to eat not to mention a very restrictive diet. As I got better I transferred to peritoneal dialysis. Diet is less restrictive, my energy level has returned. You really wouldn’t know anything was wrong with me if you didn’t know. I do dialysis at night while I sleep and I work full time. Do most anything I want to.

[Doremikid in reply to 3Kidneys]

Thank you for your detailed response. I cannot have PD..no colon ,lots of abdominal scar tissue. HHD for me if I choose that route.

[3Kidneys in reply to Doremikid]

I don’t know what your financial status is, but you could do hemodialysis until you could find a transplant donor. I actually had a successful transplant for 9 years. It would have lasted longer, but I was allergic to some of the drugs they had me on. (Unknown allergies). The drugs you need to take are very expensive , although Medicare currently helps with them for 3 years.

[Sammi_n_Munk]

Hi Doremikid. Truthfully, I’m not on dialysis but, much like you, the research that I had done, told me the same thing it told you. I’ve read that dialysis is very draining and patients often feel worn out and fatigued by it. Apparently, it’s very hard on the system and also, once you begin with dialysis, you can’t stop.

I read online that a CKD patient can live longer usually by following a good and rigid kidney diet plan and exercise regimen, than with dialysis. I also know that some doctors won’t even allow dialysis for some people who have existing heart and / or respiratory issues because it is so hard on the body. I’ve heard that it can actually cause your heart to stop. If I were you, I would do more research on this before proceeding.

There are even some dialysis patients who have said that they’re sorry that they even started it. As I say, once you start, you can’t really stop. I read that those who did stop dialysis, only survived for a couple of weeks before dying.

But then, there are also some dialysis patients on this forum who have sworn by it. I think it may depend on the patient themselves, their outlook on things. For some, I suppose the cons are worth enduring, and for others, not so much.

I would continue asking around to get a better idea from those who have experienced it, and speak to some other medical professionals who deal with this often, in order to gain a better understanding of it before going full steam ahead with it. It’s a major step in the CKD journey.

I wish you all the best, dear. I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. God bless. 🙏😊👍

[3Kidneys in reply to Sammi_n_Munk]

That isn’t exactly true. You can stop dialysis anytime you choose

[Sammi_n_Munk in reply to 3Kidneys]

Hi 3Kidneys! I appreciate your reply. You got me thinking! Lol! I read something online before which suggested that once a person has begun dialysis, to stop it would essentially mean that death is not too far off. I wish I could remember what website it was from, but I’m sure it was basically saying that a person with CKD has a better chance of surviving for a longer period of time if they keep to a kidney friendly diet, rather than to rush to dialysis, as once it is begun, dialysis is something that would have to be continued.

Perhaps this could even be old information. This was awhile ago that I read that. In fact, there may even be no truth to it at all. It’s not like this came from a doctor. It could be wrong. I would have to look it up again, and possibly copy the link here. But even with all of that, it’s very possible that the website itself may be misinformed somehow. I’ve run into contradicting websites before.

Either way, dialysis is certainly a route that requires some serious deliberation, I would imagine.

I look forward to more of your posts. Thank you again. I always learn so much here in this forum. Do take care, and all my best to you! God bless. 😊👍

[Hidden]

There is a lot of information and misinformation out there. I've talked to a lot of people and some have been on dialysis and some not. As of now, I'm not. I have done all of the needed research to determine the modality of dialysis I would prefer should the time ever come when I will need to be on dialysis. I've talked to many folks and all say the same about in-center dialysis. Three days a week for about 3-4 hours with two days off can be draining. The center schedules the time and the doctor the length. Some folks have done well, and many more are not happy with it. The recovery time is rough for many and it's a hard recovery.

When I did my research I found that more frequent dialysis, done at home, at the patient's time is more conducive to a "normal" life. You can choose HHD, PD (manual and with a cycler), and nocturnal. I was told about a book, "HELP! I NEED DIALYSIS" by Dori Schatell and Dr. John Agar. There are several places to go to find it. Amazon is one place and it's available for less than $10.00. I've read it cover to cover several times and my decision was to go with HHD. I spoke to my nephrologist and he and I are on the same page. More frequent HHD will allow me to maintain the lifestyle I prefer and the ability to recover from each session with minimal discomfort. The book goes into detail with all modalities and you can do further research to see what really matches your personal preferences.

I hope I never have to have dialysis, but if I do, I've got a plan and a method to follow that gives me hope for a longer and happier life with HHD than I would have with any other form.

Best of luck in your search.

[Doremikid in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the detailed response. I cannot have PeriDialysis, so was glad to hear that HHD is your choice after your research. I have the book you mentioned and need to read it through again.

[Doremikid]

Thank you forr the suggestion. I did not know there was a separate community.

[Pontooncaptain]

Worse the day of dialysis tired.

[Prayforall]

Spouse recently began dialysis & Ive posted that he seems to b in a brain fog, confused, off balance, weak, disoriented as if possibly blood pressure drops too quickly? Im clueless..