Nephrectomy

[PeaB4YouGo]

I've been doing some thinking. That's a dangerous thing on the best of days.

I hate my kidneys. They take up LOTS of room. They cause more pain than they are worth, anymore. I can't eat enough to stay nutrished, at times. My doctors think I can't swallow enough pills in a day. My pulse rings in my ears (at times) due to the high blood pressure. I can't sleep more than 3 hours at a go. My kidneys have to go. I'll take whatever effort they may provide, but in the end, I want them out of my life.

I don't know if I have this right, but somewhere I got the impression they often leave your old kidneys in when you get a transplant. It's just a matter of transferring blood supply and waste output. But, I don't want my old kidneys. They'll just continue to grow until they cause MORE problems.

Someone tell me I'm wrong. Tell me that the old ones are scrapped. Tell me I'm worried about something that changed years ago.

Did I mention, I hate my kidneys.

NOTE: I hope that no one here takes this the wrong way. I need to vent. I got some news today that will affect a few things around home, and not in a good way. If anyone else feels this way, know that I can empathize.

G

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

oh I think we can all empathize with you. Yes, they leave the old kidneys in unless they are cancerous or causing more issues. I think you should talk to your doctor about it. Are they still making urine for you? They you do not want them gone. To be totally dependent on dialysis is very hard and if you had no kidneys, you would be doing dialysis a lot. Unless you have a donor and are expecting to go to transplant, your only choice would be dialysis until a cadever was available. And you say you have other issues, so that may prevent a transplant. Are you on the list and gone through the evaluation?

[PeaB4YouGo in reply to Bassetmommer]

Yeah. I'm two weeks from getting on the list. Pending colonoscopy. Nothing else holding things up. I guess I'm just sick and tired of being sick and tired, you know? 6

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to PeaB4YouGo]

I do know,... anyone who is on this journey knows. That is why this is such a great resource not only for information but also to get support.

When you say you are two weeks away from getting on the list, does that mean you are going in with a donor? Because unless you are critical, and no other treatment will work such as dialysis, you will be joining the many ranks of us who are waiting. I am on three years listed and told I probably have two more to wait.

As far as feeling tired of being sick, that is so natural and only those who are in our shoes get it. Which can be isolating. My unsolicited advice is when you feel low like that, do something nice for yourself. Treat yourself, go somewhere, sit in a forest or by a lake. Go somewhere which makes you happy and forget about it for a moment. Don't punish yourself for being down but reward the happy side.

[PeaB4YouGo in reply to Bassetmommer]

Oh, I've already planned on being on that list for a while. Funny enough, there are four or five people in my circle who say that they would give me a kidney. Honestly, though, I don't want to accept one from a few of those people just because of the constant abuse they put their systems through. It's the alcoholics, and so on, that want to be first in line to offer. I don't want to imagine the condition of their kidneys. I really appreciate the offers, but ... I'm so apprehensive, and I'm not sure how to turn down the help. I've mentioned to a couple (the ones NOT pickling their organs) that they'll need to get tested, although, I'm not optimistic. Who knows, though. Maybe one will be a match for someone who DOES have a donor with the kidney I need.

As far as finding something to brighten the mood, I've already come up from that particular depressed episode. My thing is fishing. I've got a couple days off of dialysis, so maybe I'll go drown a worm or two. Good for the head.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to PeaB4YouGo]

Just something to think about..... drinking effects more of the liver. If they want to get tested, I would go for it and see. Nothing ventured, nothing lost. I would do anything at this point to get off the machine and be free. Being honest.

[Lifeisagift93]

I think you have to change your mindset try to be greatful what you have than hating what you don't have. the more you upset thể more pain you will experience. I try to love my kidneys more because it s a part of me and it s not well because of me I need to love it more. The thought and diệt will help you feel better. Try to eat raw vegan and think positive and follow Dr G goodbye lupus she healed from kidney failure and helps số much people in pain with variety of pain . You can do it and feel better. Keep trying and never give up

[Beachgirl32]

yes they leave the old kidney in .they say it a hard operation moving the old kidney if they are super big they may . The surgeon I spoke to said I have do many cyst it will be hard but we could go in another time and take them out they bother me really bad . You sound like me I’m lucky to get 2 hours sleep . I was under the impression old kidney shrink but surgeon said no so I said so if I get a transplant I’m still going to have the pain from polycystic kidney my cyst have went to different organs I have one as big as a baseball on my liver that pushes and give me pain vent anytime I got news the other day I was not happy with do I understand venting

Oh whoever is your donor they test really well there certain things they can’t donate one being an alcoholic high blood pressure if they are obese a certain age and other and they check them psychologically I had sixnn by people try no one natch not even my own daughter but she told me mom they really put you through test to make sure you are a good donor one person who wanted to donate to me found out they had a medical problem he did not know about so it kind of save his life . I been on the waitlist for three year so far .

[Tolmezzo]

Guess you are policistic kidney and in many case nefroctomy cannot be avoided. It's matter of survival. I full understand and nobody should comment anything about that. Really wish a soon transplant. Rgs

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

I had a kidney transplant over 24 years ago. My native kidneys are shrinking, not getting bigger. In fact, when they do an ultrasound, they can't even find my R kidney. I think the surgery would be horrible if they removed your kidneys. When you have a transplant the kidney is placed in the front. Mine is on my R side.

Kidneys by themselves don't cause pain unless there is a blockage, infection or you have poly-cystic kidney disease.

[PeaB4YouGo in reply to WYOAnne]

That's me, with the ADPKD. My kidneys take up so much room that my stomach can only reach half of its previous size. The pains I feel come from a hernia that gets irritated by the encroaching kidneys, and the occasional stone.