Hi, I am new here. I’m very depressed over...take your pick....Dialysis, COVID-19, my husband’s Alzheimer’s.......

Hi, I’m likely facing dialysis sooner than later, I have a tendency to sluff off sodium, so it runs low/normal, I’m thinking Zoloft is the only antidepressant I could take. If you’re on an antidepressant, which one has worked for you? Does what worked for you fundamentally change once you’re on dialysis?

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

You did not mention what level of CKD you are at. Myself and others on the forum indicate that prescribed diet has been helpful in slowing down the progression toward dialysis. My diet was prescribed and is restricted on sodium, phosphorus, potassium and protein and is based on bloodwork for those items. Has your Doctor mentioned any diet for you.

[Hidden in reply to orangecity41]

Nope. Just to be a vegetarian,all plant protein, but no amounts. I’ve been on a renal diet (except for the sodium) for 10 years or so.

[Hidden]

Stage 5 gfr 10

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

At gfr 10 have you discussed PD or Hemo with your nephrologist, if gfr drops below 10 you will start to feel quite ill.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Home hemo after learning how. I do feel quite ill. Nausea all the time, and I’ve lost 8 pounds in the last 2 weeks.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Dialysis will make you feel better and remove the toxins, have you registered for the transplant list.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I’m finishing my tests and then should be on the transplant list with VA as well as OHSU. My brother has generously offered me one of his kidneys, if we match up.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

That’s good I just received a transplant and am recovering post surgery, was on PD before getting transplanted.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Congratulations 🎊🍾🎉🎈 time to celebrate your success!!

[Jayhawker in reply to Hidden]

Do you have a fistula? If not, when is your nephrologist going to get you to a surgeon to get that done? It takes several months for it to heal before you can start dialysis.

PD dialysis would allow you to start dialysis within a few weeks of catheter placement. I’m planning to use PD dialysis first.

Since you’re already nauseous and loosing quite a lot of weight, I’m hoping you’ve got a nephrologist appointment very soon. If not, please plan the call your nephrologist’s office to get an appointment as soon as possible.

Jayhawker

[Hidden in reply to Jayhawker]

I had fistula surgery August 15. I’m going in to see the surgeons NP to have my fistula checked before I get started.

[Jayhawker in reply to Hidden]

Good! Glad you’ve got your fistula. So now it’s time for some reassurance🐶🐶

I’m still awaiting dialysis too but know it is coming. I suspect we’ve all got mixed emotions about dialysis. On my good days I view it as a life sustaining treatment. That’s most days. But there is fear of the unknown. There is anxiety related to such a major change in daily routine.

How will I feel on dialysis? What will I no longer be able to do? Will my dog adjust? (Yes, that is one of my major worries🐶) On and on the worries go. But most importantly, will I feel and function better?

I tell myself that I can and will adjust. But this is a MAJOR change!

I began participating in this forum about a year after my kidneys plummeted into renal failure the first week of January 2017. (That’s right, I’m STILL not on dialysis.) I was hoping to hear real-life stories from persons currently experiencing dialysis. I also hoped for thoughts about the myriad of questions that filled my mind.

Those who participate in this forum have been most generous and have willingly shared openly with me. I expect you will have the same experience.

This is such a mental battle! But as I’ve gotten to know people posting in this forum, I’ve come to realize how tough renal patients are. It is clear that life goes on, regardless of treatment option. And most would say their lives are good lives. There is encouragement. There is a “can do” spirit. Some have been on dialysis for decades. Others are just starting. Others are still waiting but know dialysis is coming. However, everyone is in this medical battle together.

So most importantly, for me, this is a group of people who truly understand. They have information they willingly share that physicians can’t share—these people know how to live and thrive with CKD.

You’ll get going with your new treatment option. It will take some time. You’ll need to work with your dialysis team to maximize its benefits. But slowly, I have full confidence that you’ll adjust and your life will settle into a new pattern, a new normal. You’ll start feeling better. I believe that you will be glad that this treatment option is available. Ultimately, you are in the driver’s seat with all treatment options. So you’ll decide what you want to do for your treatment.

Ask questions. Share worries. This is a group that DOES understand. We’re here to support one another as we each fight this battle.

Jayhawker💜💜

[Hidden in reply to Jayhawker]

Thank you so much Jayhawker💜 I know I’ll get through this, as I have many other health challenges in my lifetime. We’re hoping my brother is a match for a kidney transplant for me. He automatically jumped up and said the proverbial “how high”. He is an amazing man.

First of all, I’m a goer and doer so this whole Covid-19 has done a number on my sense of purpose. I’d consider myself anything but a homebody! But, slowly I’m finding safe ways to interject myself back into my community. Mostly via telephone, zoom meetings and social distancing outside visits with friends at my outdoor covered patio.

A little background on me: I’ve had stage 5 CKD for 15 years with a Creatinine of 1.8-2.5. Then fall of 2019, I went to Southern Utah in September, it was 108 and dry as a bone and I got heat stroke. I bounced around deliriously for 3 days, not knowing how sick I was and with the prolonged dehydration when I got to the hospital my creatinine was 5.0!! My one kidney was removed in 1988. The last one just never recovered from the heat stroke event! So, now that’s been a bit over a year ago and, well, here we are.

[Jayhawker in reply to Hidden]

You’ve had a good run in Stage V without dialysis. You’ll want to get going with dialysis to protect cardiac functioning and so forth. You want to stay healthy for the transplant.

I was officially waitlisted for a deceased donor kidney on January 10, 2020. I was told I should receive a deceased donor kidney in 2 to 2 1/2 years from last December. So I’ll gladly and willingly start dialysis when it’s tome to preserve my cardiac functioning. I feel so fortunate to qualify for a transplant.

COVID is definitely another issue. I’m still working full time. I’m a university professor. I teach graduate students. So I’m teaching solely online. I attend all work-related meetings via zoom. I also run a couple of grants that provide tuition support for our graduate students. I’m glad I’ve got these activities to divert my attention from COVID some.

My neighbors and I have met and visited some adhering to social distancing and mask wearing guidelines several times over the summer. We ordered food from some of our favorite restaurants some as we did this last summer. We wanted to do our part to support restaurants...

I’m so pleased to hear that you’ve got s family member who volunteered to provide a living donor kidney for you! That’s wonderful!

Jayhawker

[Hidden in reply to Jayhawker]

I retired from life as a university professor in 2007. I taught communication and psychology classes with a long tint teaching nursing students developmental psychology. Interesting......

[Jayhawker in reply to Hidden]

I’m in special education, specifically autism and severe emotional disorders. I love teaching and the grants🐶🐶 I’m no longer researching as much as I did earlier in my career.

[Hidden in reply to Jayhawker]

One of my dear friends was an Autism specialist for a small school district and just transitioned to a position developing curriculum for a private online educator.

[Herkidney in reply to Jayhawker]

Sending very positive thoughts your way Jayhawker. Stay strong!!

[Herkidney]

I hope your brother is a match!

[Jayhawker in reply to Herkidney]

Even if not a match, he may be able to participate in the paired donor program🐶🐶

[Hidden in reply to Jayhawker]

He is willing!!

[Hidden in reply to Herkidney]

Me too!!

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

Hi there and WELCOME! I didn't begin antidepressants for about a year after beginning dialysis. I felt they were very effective for me. Started out on a low dose of 25 mg and have gradually increased over 18 years to now 100 mg. I've considered changing many times ad it feels as though its lost its hhmmmpphhh! The side effects of other meds make me want to just keep everything as it is. Good luck with your potential transplant. Stay well. Blessings

[Hidden in reply to KidneyCoach]

Thanks

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Well, I saw my surgeon’s np today and I start dialysis on Monday afternoon. After a few weeks on in center dialysis, I’ll have my home visit and me and my care partner (Girlfriend) will start home hemodialysis training. I went to the home hemodialysis training center today, just for a visit, and a very nice young couple allowed me to peek in and watch her dialyze and I got to ask questions.

For us it is 75 miles one way, 5 days a week, 5 hours a day, for 4 weeks. Then we’re trained and I’ll be able to do dialysis at home. As my husbands primary care giver, I need to be home as much as possible.

I’ll keep you posted and if I have questions....I’ll ask! Thanks again for everyone’s comments.

[Jayhawker in reply to Hidden]

Nothing but good thoughts for you🐶🐶

Jayhawker