PD with insulin dependant diabetes.

[fartikins]

Hello - is PD better than HD for someone with insulin dependant diabetes. I have read so much on the ins and outs and the does and dont,s that my head is spinning. Has any other member had this dilemma to face - I just want to make things easier for myself and my husband should the need arise. Thanks

[Darlenia]

Hi Fartikins. Yes, my husband, a T2D, experienced complete kidney failure, went on PD dialysis, and then received a kidney transplant at age 71. As his kidney started to rapidly fail, he fought back by eliminating sugars and carbs, but not in time to prevent total collapse. Right before total failure, my hubby brought up his diabetes and dialysis in a meeting with a transplant surgeon who advised him to go go on PD since it doesn't involve the vascular system. He encouraged us to prevent calcification of the blood vessels needed for transplant using this approach, even though PD uses sugar based solutions which can raise glucose. My hubby followed his advice, went on PD dialysis, and continued to restrict his sugars and carbs, Much to everyone's surprise and admiration, he managed to entirely get off his diabetic meds (insulin) while on PD. The happy ending to this story is that he received a transplant exactly a year later. We agreed to accept a deceased donor kidney with conditions. The irony is that the diabetes my husband so valiantly banished, has come back with a vengeance due to the immunosuppressants. We are controlling it tightly - again with insulin. We realize, however, that a transplant may not be at the top of the list for everyone. If so, there are some wonderful sites that can take your specific interests and help you sort it all out. Here's one - mydialysischoice.org/#ey Hope all of this gives you some direction in making your decisions.

[RHOC]

I'm insulin dependant and i am on pd DIALYSIS. I was on hemo dialysis from December to July last year. It was not good and didn't work at all for me not if course it was what I had to do cause if my kidney failure. From July to current doing PD DIALYSIS and it is so much better. I love it and it's great. My nurse was and is great helps me through everything. I have other health issues, like anxiety... For one and she is great. I really enjoy pd as opposed to the other. And if you want to talk iri can help feel free to inbox me. I'm also on the kidney/pancreas transplant list.

[fartikins in reply to RHOC]

Thanks for your input. I don't know if I can do pd because I suffer with terrible constipation.

[RHOC]

I really think PD is much better. I've done both and I'm still currently in pd.