Test results

[viamar1]

Just got my test results back.Have dropped to stage 5.EGFR is 15.Creatinne is 4.31

[GoodHealthIsAJourney]

That stinks. I'm sorry to hear this, and hope you continue doing everything you can to slow this down, and to plan next steps! 🙏

[Tuffcookie71]

At this point, you need to prepare for dialysis. I hope you have been researching which method you want to use. My late boyfriend was in denial for a long time and, unfortunately, had heart problems as well. He had decided to have a fistula put in his left arm and have his dialysis done at a kidney center, 3 times a week. You need time for the fistula settle before actually using it (around 6 weeks). While waiting for his fistula to be ready, he ended up in the hospital with chest pains. He ended up with stints for the heart and they had to put a port in his chest to start dialysis because the fistula was not quite ready. He had to have triple bypass surgery in Oct and was never able to recover from everything going on. He was 77 and passed away in Jan. Make sure you watch your diet, see a cardiologist on top of a kidney doctor. If you are are over-weight, now is a good time to try to lose a few pounds and take up walking or some other exercise. I know how scary all of this is but you can control certain things, so concentrate on what you can control.

[viamar1 in reply to Tuffcookie71]

I had a double bypass in 2015.I am over=weight but have severe COPD so it makes it hard for me to exercise the way I need to

[Beachgirl32 in reply to viamar1]

I understand about hard to excercise but you can do it my husband has copd and asthma I make him excercise sitting in his recliner you can do simple thing while sitting marching with your feet extending one leg out and down extending legs sideways toe up to heal down same stuff with arm sit in chair arm up arm side you can use a light weight if his breathing get bad stop you don’t have to do it all at one time .

I’m been o. Dialysis myself I just had to switch to hemo dialysis I did pd at home a year and half got fungal infection had to get catheter out . Yes you need to think of what type of dialysis you want check to see if you can get in transplant list I’m not sure about your copd if you can but ask.

Hemo dialysis in center a tech or nurse does everything for you . Hemo at home you put needles in yourself if you can do this a few people on here can tell you there home experience. You would have to get a fistula in your arm and it has to heal . Right now I have a catheter in my chest because when they took out pd catheter I had to have a way for dialysis right away they don’t like using chest catheter long more prone to infection . I am waiting to get a fistula .

Pd dialysis you are train for about a week they teach you how to do manual exchanges and teach you the Machince the catheter is put in your stomach it takes about two weeks to heal before you use it. Manual usual done four times a day the Machince usually done while you are sleeping they will set up a prescription for you I stated 7 hours went to 9 hours and you need a place for lots of storage you will get from 20 to 30 boxes a month .

I don’t know how much room you need for home hemo someone else can tell you . But you say 15 percent you are at I didn’t go on dialysis until I was 8 per cent a lot depends how you feel but you need to start thinking what dialysis is right for me.

[viamar1 in reply to Beachgirl32]

I have a walker that I used to do exercises after I had covid.After I wrote the other,my wife found the paper that had the exercises.Am able to do them.

[Darlenia in reply to Tuffcookie71]

I hear you! Denial is a terrible thing. My now 74 year old hubby did the same thing! He was always "fine!" His diabetes and weight "wasn't impacting anything". By the time I became aware of his bad situation. It was too late to avoid emergency dialysis and more. It was truly a hellish time. He did manage to turn his life around and get a transplant, but I now go to every appointment he has. Reality guides us; no more excuses and blindsiding. Hugs from one who understands. And my deepest sympathies on your loss. You did your very best with the hand you were dealt.

[Ballspinner]

I would just add to tuffcookie's post that it takes more than 6 months for a fistula to be ready to use because it has to grow in size and depth. You can exercise it by squeezing a soft rubber ball several times a day once it heals. There's too much pain and swelling at first, just use an icepack on it as directed by your doctor. I didn't have that information when I got mine and had to have a balloon angioplasty to expand it before it could be used for dialysis. Also, exercise can be very simple and gentle. I do chair yoga in an online class. Our teacher always says to stop if an exercise is painful, either adjust it to your level or rest and rejoin. I don't know if deep breathing would be right for you with COPD, just ask your specialist for recommended exercises. There is always a way, just keep asking and trying until you find what's right for you. Good luck to you!