I am new to this forum, and would like to ask some questions on my fathers behalf.

[Dad2020]

My farther has been on self dialysis now for 3 years and has recently been very messed up with not sleeping at all for over a month even thought he has been prescribed temazepam and other sleep aiding drugs but have not taken effect.

He got himself to a stage that he was ready to give it all up and come off the machine to allow himself to have and enjoy some sort of life style, as he thinks that it is the dialysis's machine that is effecting him sleeping.

Please if any one has had this same experience with extreme sleep deficiency and advice on this or another option of dialysis like haemo dialysis please help.

I will look forward to hearing any words of advice on this matter.

[Bassetmommer]

Is he doing dialysis when he is trying to sleep? Is it possible that he can sleep at another time and still do dialysis. Is it possible to skip a treatment so he can sleep or is this too dangerous. Is he worried about something happening while he is on dialysis? Can he go to a clinic for a few treatments and then sleep?

Pardon my ignorance on this topic.

[Kbristow]

I'm sorry your father is having such a hard time sleeping and is not doing well. By "self dialysis" do you mean peritoneal/hemodialysis at home? Or is he going to a dialysis center to dialyze? I am only familiar with peritoneal dialysis which can be done manually during the day (which allows you to sleep uninterrupted at night) or automatically with a machine while you sleep. That second method is often more convenient because the machine (called a "cycler" because it cycles dialysis fluid in and out of your body) does the work for you but sometimes the humming and buzzing of the machine every 3 hours or so can wake you. For me sometimes I experienced cramping during the night as well, but moving myself into certain positions would help ease the discomfort. Other times adjusting the setting on my dialysis machine (as directed by my nurse) would help.

There is also home hemodialysis but I'm not familiar with how that works.

It's hard to feel well when you aren't able to rest. I hope he finds out what is causing the sleeplessness and is able to find a solution.

[Jayhawker]

I found myself wondering what others has mentioned... If your dad is on daily PD dialysis and dialyzing at night, would his nephrologist and clinic allow him to shift to manual exchanges several times throughout the day?

I’m concerned about experiencing similar challenges with sleep when I start PD dialysis. I’ll definitely try overnight dialyzing via the cyclers. But if I’m unable to adjust to it and sleep reasonably well through the night, I will ask to shift to manual exchanges during the day. I’m certainly hoping the overnight cycle option will work fir me. But sleep really is critical. So I’ll work closely with my nephrologist and the dialysis clinic to resolve any issues like this that I experience...

Please let us know how your dad is doing.

Jayhawker

[mieka]

His dialysis care team should be able to help him find a pattern of dialysis that works for him. If he is on a cycler for PT, the noise can be bothersome of some people, but usually you get used to it & are only vaguely aware of it. Playing some soft music during the night can help. Also - perhaps he needs his dialysis prescription for his fluid strengths adjusted. Cramping can be a problem if he is getting too "dry". I too wake up during the night, but find getting up for a few minutes, going to the bathroom, & getting a drink of water, along with the little walking around involved allows me to get back to sleep. I also often take a short nap during the daytime. I think we all have different experiences with PT dialysis, but I am happy to be on it during then night, even with the interruptions that may occur, as it gives me the freedom to do what I want during the waking hours. I feel so much better overall than I did before starting dialysis. I am retired so not locked into a work schedule. Some days I don't have a lot of energy & have to adjust my daily routine accordingly. Other days I feel pretty energetic & am able to get quite a few things done.

Keeping a positive & thankful attitude is an important key to making it work! I hope your dad finds a balance & is able to get help from his team.

[Icesnoe]

I don’t know if your father and I have the same situation, I was on peritoneal dialysis for a year, it was working great until it wasn’t. I started to absorb fluids and gaining weight, with the weight gain I couldn’t sleep couldn’t lay down nothing was comfortable. Peritoneal dialysis wasn’t working for me anymore. Switching to hemodialysis has worked for me, I have much more energy, lost all the water weight, and have much more time. Maybe your father should look into hemodialysis see if it is an option for him.