How long can you live on dialysis and which one is the best home dialysis or the dialysis in a Dialysis centre I get confused very confused

[Tony04]

How long can you live on Dialysis ? I was reading about this woman who had been on dialysis for 25 years it got me thinking which is the best dialysis the one you have in hospital or home dialysis and how long do you can you live on dialysis.

[Hidden]

There is no simple answer to your question. What I'd recommend is to go to Amazon and order a copy of HELP! I Need Dialysis. It discusses the pros and cons of each modality. Once you decide, speak to your nephrologist and get his/her advice.My personal choice is HHD or Home-Hemodialysis. I get to do it at my convenience/schedule and I can take it with me when I travel.

I'm going thru the book again for the fifth time. I don't want to be stressed out when the time comes to make the decision, so I've researched it and made my choice. I would still have to go to a Dialysis Center to train but after that, I can do it at home or in my RV when I travel.

Best of luck.

[Tony04 in reply to Hidden]

I have been watching documentaries and it would also be my choice to have HHD I can’t imagine going to a dialysis centre three times a week to roughly 4 hours it’ll be just too much for me but of course if I had to I would have no choice.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

There are many options and the best choice is so dependent on your comorbidities and what your nephrologist recommends and your lifestyle. The only thing I can do is share my thoughts since this is something I have given a lot of thought about. The best for me is not what might be best for you. My first choice of course is to remain in stage 4 and feeling great as I am now. But if I have to, I will start with PD. The issue with peritoneal dialysis is that it uses a glucose based solution which can cause weight gain. So I am going to be doing as much research to see what solution is the lowest in glucose. PD is not always sustainable as there is a risk of infection. I also like to swim and that is something I may have to give up. Then if that does not work, I will home base hemodialysis, nocturnal at best. Again, like Mr. Kidney said, I will have to start with a center. The thing to remember with dialysis, is that it is a treatment. And of all the diseases out there, the longevity of the lifespan on dialysis is pretty long, compared to cancer let's say. I am grateful that there are options and everyday they are coming up with better methods.

[Tony04 in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thank you let’s hope you stay in stage 4 and remain feeling good I will have my fingers crossed for you.

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador in reply to Bassetmommer]

You don't have to start in center. You can start with pd or home hemo while having a clinic as your support base. You could only go once per month like me. Sometimes I do telehealth 2 months then go in clinic. Because I do hemodialysis I can draw my labs from my bloodlines and ship via FedEx, the supplies are all given to me and my pkgs are picked up at my home. Some doing PD can swim in the ocean. Ask about it. Hope this helps Blessings

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

I have been on dialysis for nearly 20 years and have many friends over 20 yrs. Some do in center, hhd and pd. Its very individual choice. It's also possible to get a pre emptive transplant. Check out

mydialysischoice.org/

[Tony04 in reply to KidneyCoach]

My goodness 20 years fantastic I had no idea so if things turn bad for me there is still life and dialysis. Thank you I hope your doing good can I ask why you don’t do Home Dialysis ?

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador in reply to Tony04]

See my reply below

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

@Tony04 I started out on in-center dialysis for 7 months then switched to conventional home hemodialysis. A few months later I switched to nocturnal home hemodialysis. Did this for about 9 years then began extended txs during the day ever since. I worked as a cashier, receptionist and have volunteered/mentored/Ambassador at around 10 different kidney organizations including serving on bod and going to congress persons in D.C. and teaching classes as a certified Kidney health coach. Ive watched my last 3 of 5 kids leave the nest on our farm, welcomed 10 grandchildren into the world. Ive also traveled to about 10 different states. Ive tried to stay active. It's about being pro active, ask questions, research and educate yourself, then self manage well your Healthcare. Blessings

[Tony04 in reply to KidneyCoach]

I find you and your messages inspiring and so informative thank you I think your incredible, can I ask a silly question being so long on dialysis transplant why none ?

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador in reply to Tony04]

I was listed 10 years but with 100% antibodies I was a tough match. I was asked to list elsewhere as I made their statistics look badly. I may yet list again but at 63 I've had a good life and dialysis has served me well. Blessings

[RhenDutchess123]

I do Home PD...They train you in Clinic for about a week or until they feel you are capable to do your own...I like PD because you do it every night so it is much more like your own kidney function ...I hook up at night and sleep through my 8 hour treatment...I go into Clinic for blood tests and Dr Visit per mo th and other than that I am on my own...Follow your directions from your Nurses...be clean..and you wont have most problems

After I unhook in the morning ..I forget I am even on dialysis....It gave me back my life....

[Tony04 in reply to RhenDutchess123]

I’m sure for me would be the way to go it seems to give you back ur life ur independence. Having to go to the Centre 3 times a week for 4 hours is very time consuming and for me would be so boring I find it hard to sit for 30 minutes. Another silly question your asleep having your treatment and the power goes out a blackout what happens?

[RhenDutchess123 in reply to Tony04]

Well...there is a 2 hour battery and an alarm will go off...the worse you might to do is a manual drain....My Clinic put me on the list at the Power Supplier ..so I would be one of the first to be put back on...I also have a power pack that would run it for a bit of my power goes out...They will train you to do both ways...with a cycler or manuel

[Tony04 in reply to RhenDutchess123]

Great you have everything organised I’m so glad one last question I have no idea what has caused my kidney disease is this common do you know what caused yours ?

[beeges in reply to Tony04]

i have no idea what caused my kidney disease either.

[Darlenia in reply to Tony04]

My husband was on PD until he recently received a transplant. We have had instances where the power went off. He simply disconnected, went back to sleep, and that was that. His center told him that skipping a night was not a big deal since PD is done so frequently. That's also why some PD patients go on long flights without worrying too much. I'd like to add that it's good you're asking about various forms of dialysis. If you're interested in getting a transplant, the transplant centers recommend PD since it doesn't involve accessing blood vessels. Doing so is harder on the vascular system and can impact transplantation. So knowing your long range goals is important. Sending you positive thoughts for great outcomes!

[RhenDutchess123]

Fribrillary Glumerol Nephritis.(sp)...Dr.doesnt know the cause ...I have had it about 23 years...so it was a very slow decline...I just started dialysis about 6 months ago at 12 Gfr....I never thought I felt bad....but after starting dialysis I realize how bad I did feel...they give me iron infusions every month (love them)...and protein drinks and you need to eat lots of protien...I feel so great and so thankful for this type of dialysis....I might also mention that there are alot of boxes and supplies that get delivered to you each month...I have a fairly large home and my children are all raised and gone so it really wasnt a problem for me...but may be for someone else.....Your Nephologist will see if you are a candidate...hopefully not too many abdominal surgeries ...If you have any more questions..please dont hesitate to ask.....You got this !!

[Tony04 in reply to RhenDutchess123]

Thank you I’m very much the same have no idea why I have this disease but after joining this forum I have found it’s not all gloom thanks so very much.