Hello

[Delona79]

I'm 39 and new to dialysis I find it difficult to go to my treatments and skip a lot maybe some ideas from others can help me.

[MerciBeaucoup12]

Hello Delona79,

Correct me if wrong, but I assume you are on hemodialysis if you have to go to your treatments.. ?

I was previously on Peritoneal Dialysis, so I did it every night from home. But I totally understand having difficulty doing the dialysis consistently. It was a struggle for me too.

I guess one thing that did help was making sure I didn't make myself too busy. I knew that if I had a full schedule, I was more likely to skip a night of dialysis. But if I had a loose or more open schedule, I was more likely to stick to my dialysis regimen because not only did I have enough energy to do it, I had the brainpower to correctly carry out all the parts of PD needed (cleaning, machine set up, etc.)

[Charlene_Coxhead]

Hi Delona

You say you are skipping a lot of treatments. I'm guessing this is because your finding the whole thing all a little daunting which is understandable, bit it's really important you don't miss them it's helping to make you feel a little better and to remove the toxins from your body that if they stay could effect your other organs.

Is it the whole going to the hospital for treatment you don't like? Are you doing HD? Have you considered doing home HD so you could do dialysis in the comfort of your own home and take the travelling away. It would give you more freedom to what times you do dialysis and could do more days bit less time.

I know it's all new and scary try and stay strong and remember there is always some one here for you.

Charlene x

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

Easier said than done......but you have to make up your mind that this is your life and you need to make it the best it can be! Someone once told me "DML" - Dialysis Means Life! If your doctor thought dialysis was needed.....if you skip treatments, it will eventually catch up to you. Some things are suppose to be filtered out of our bodies by our kidneys. When our kidneys are not working right, dialysis does it for us. Continuing to skip will eventually cause you to get sick, sicker than ckd already makes you. Please know that dialysis is only going to make your life better, till you can get a transplant.

I was on dialysis for only 6 weeks when I got my transplant. I know it is rough......but just remember DML!

[Ladybug_05]

Hello!

Going to clinics for dialysis can definitely be a challenge. When I was on hemo, I wasn't allowed to drive myself. Personally, this was very helpful for me since I was new as well and even just driving the 5 minutes to and from clinic was too much for me and it prevented me from missing treatments. I assume you drive yourself. Have you considered talking to your clinic, insurance, or friends and family to see if transportation is possible?

Like others have said, home HD is another option too. If you qualify, PD is also a good option. Please don't feel that you are stuck in any one treatment plan! You are always able to change what you want to do for treatment to make dialysis the easiest and most comfortable for you. They all have unique challenges of course, but if you find that you're skipping treatments often, maybe also talk with the clinic social worker to see if there's any way that you can change when you come in to better fit your needs.

Hang in there. It's really scary, we know- we've been there too don't worry! This forum is full of people who totally get it and are willing and able to give support in any way we can Good luck!

[cs65 NKF Ambassador]

I would try making friends with the staff and also talking with other patients. They can help to calm your fears and help you get through the treatments. Believe it or not, the more consistent you are about making your treatments the better you'll eventually feel. It takes time to find out your dry weight and remove just the right amount of fluid from your blood, preventing cramping, headaches and low blood pressure from happening. You will eventually feel less wiped out (although probably not on dialysis days) and feel more like resuming your usual life. Also, try to think of dialysis as your part-time job, a very important job of giving you life! Take care and let us know how you are doing. we care!

[3kidney]

Delona79,

You can tell from reading all the responses that we care about you! You have been given wonderful ideas and tips to help you make it less difficult to go to your treatments.

Get in the habit of doing something fun or productive when you are there so that you don't want to miss. Read, listen to motivational podcasts, knit, etc. Do something that you look forward to doing and do it only there so that you can have something to look forward to.

Stay strong, you can do this!!!! God bless you!