GFR 8

[Jmccool]

My husbands GFR is going down and he’s pushing dialysis off. His GFR went from 8.0 to 7.8 in 2 weeks. So is his GFR really still 8? Thanks for your time.

[rabbit01]

They cannot measure eGFR accurately in fact the e stands for estimated. What I would say is your husband needs to start dialysis very shortly. I was the same as him and kept putting it off. In the end my eGFR got down to 8% and my skin was turning yellow. I was feeling pretty awful I can tell you. I would imagine your husband is feeling rough as well.

I started dialysis six months ago and almost overnight I felt so much better both physically and mentally. I don't keep thinking about dying all the time which is all I did for the previous 5 years. I have control of my life back rather than living from blood test to blood test and seeing the numbers tick down to, let's be frank, certain death.

I too felt overwhelmed by the thought of dialysis but honestly in my experience it has been absolutely fine. I am sure that there are lots of people on here who will endorse what I am saying. Sticking his head in the sand will not make this go away. I know as I tried that too!

[Jmccool in reply to rabbit01]

Sticking his head in the sand is what I tell him all the time. I’m going to read him your response. He feels horrible but tries to act like he doesn’t and his skin is pale and almost yellowish at times. We fought about it last night when we got his results and he told me it’s his body and his and I am not the one dealing with it. And it makes me so angry because I don’t sleep at night over it. Plus the plan is to do Peritoneal so I would be hooking him up. I just didn’t know if the 7.8 was really 7 or 8. His Creatinine is 7.4. Thanks for your reply.

[rabbit01 in reply to Jmccool]

I was exactly the same. I kept modifying my expectations of life based on what I could do. At the end if I could get up and get dressed I considered that a good day. When I did have to attend a function with other people like a wedding or a meal then the difference between how much energy they had compared to me was astonishing.

My wife did not want me to go on dialysis and was very much in denial about my condition. At one stage I was really going to let nature take its course. It was my son who made me see sense.

There really isn't much point in debating between 7 or 8%. He needs to have the PD pipe fitted asap and then at least 2 weeks to recover before he can start his dialysis. Please if there is anything more I can do to help then you know where I am.

[Jmccool in reply to rabbit01]

Thank you I really appreciate it

[Jmccool in reply to rabbit01]

I read him your responses and his response was ask him if he can drink alcohol. Which is absurd because he may drink 6 or 8 beers in a month. Just another excuse.

[rabbit01 in reply to Jmccool]

Sorry to hear that. Well he should still be able to drink that kind of quantity of alcohol on peritoneal dialysis. He can easily check that with his doctor as I did. But in my case I have a glass of wine about 3 times a week and a bottle of beer a couple of times a week. Everyone is different of course so it's important that he eats and drinks to his own blood results.

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador in reply to Jmccool]

If he will be doing PD explain why it will be you connecting him . PD is generally solo and does not require a partner. In fact PD patients are encouraged to do treatments independently.

[Allank in reply to Jmccool]

Tell him , it is not only his body - 1 you end up having more of a burden if he does not care for himself 2 he becomes a less of a husband for you , if his health goes. My wife did look after herself , but never did any testing , no check-up , observation. I gave up nagging her , saying it was her body . In the end , she got cancer , it was pretty bad and it meant for the 2.5 years she was sick I lost a woman , no intimacy - because of the stupid idea I had in my head that it was her body.

[Jmccool in reply to Allank]

I’m so sorry to hear about your wife. And I agree 💯 with you. It’s just so depressing because no matter what I say or do it doesn’t matter. It’s like I’m in this movie and it’s can not be real that my husband will not go something that keeps him alive. I feel like I can’t plan for anything. Thank you for responding.

[StephenA]

rabbits post is right. I started dialysis 14 years ago - started with PD and had a pretty good time with it - even won two lawn bowls competitions! I did 10 years on it until my membrane started to get tired. I'm on Hemo now and have a hard time until recently. Talk to your doc about amino acid supplementation (L-carnitine & L-Taurine have had major positive effects on me). Hemo extracts amino acids very effectively and some cannot be replaced by diet as they need kidney function to do this. My Docs do not even want to discuss this with me - says talk to dietitian, who doesn't know what dialysis removes). Using supplements as above have produced a major change for the better in my well-being. Dialysis is a life changer, there's no other way short of transplant. I hate dialysis but too bad! At least I can escape the lockdown 3 times a week! It's wise to get onto dialysis sooner than later as a bit of kidney function is much better than none. I suggest PD to start as it is done more conveniently at home: no needles. The catheter takes a bit of getting used to, but becomes part of you. I could travel easily. Hemo is a pest as I have to make sure there is a unit nearby for my sessions.

Good luck and have a moan on this site - others have had the same experience and will help you!

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador in reply to StephenA]

Sorry but there are studies and literature proving incremental dialysis and delaying dialysis to preserve residual kidney function is FAR better.

If one goes on dialysis sooner rather than later it actually causes loss of residual function.

HOME hemodialysis is the way to go for me. I'm going into my 19th year on dialysis almost 18 on HOME. Very few fluid and dietary restrictions. I tried PD but my membrane was not cooperative.

It is not a silly notion that it is her or your body. She missed out on 2 1/2 years of intimacy as well. I'm sorry her illness was so tough on YOU. Perhaps now is is a good time to look back and learn from this. Blessings

[Doremikid]

I am not yet on dialysis as my numbers and well being are still good. I will eventually have to be on dialysis, however, so the positive stories in response to your note are encouraging. I understand your husband’s dilemma, but hope he reads those stories. Good health!

[Kitz67]

no one wants to admit they need to go on dialysis. I faught it tooth and nail but I have now been on hemo for 2 years. While it is not a life we want, it is life. so tell your husband that without dialysis he will die and quickly. All the wastes that you normally pee out are starting to stay in his body and will kill him