Treatment time

[Vacuumnerd]

I often find myself not interested in anything on tv or can not seem to sleep through my entire treatment and as time goes on am getting more and more anxious being there how else do any of you pass the time?

[Juliepkd]

Hello. I know what you mean. Some days my session flies by, but other times it drags on and on. I have coped by trying to have a positive mind set. I think of this as a part time job that keeps me alive! I have to be at the dialysis unit 3 mornings a week. I break my session up by 1st checking the news feeds and the social media stuff on my phone. Then if I'm tired, I try to doze for an hour or so. If the tv is rubbish, I have a kindle or a book on the go. A lovely friend bought me a pocket puzzle book along with an ipad/book stand. I can prop up my puzzle book, phone or kindle to read more easily. Some patients have headphones and listen to the radio or stream music from their iPods.Most of the other patients in my treatment bay are elderly and sleep through most of their sessions, so it's very quiet and due to Covid restrictions it's doesn't seem a very sociable place! Try to think of your non dialysis days as your freedom days and your dialysis days as your work days. I understand about the anxiety, I think we all have periods of that. Be gentle with yourself, you are doing an amazing thing, and dont beat yourself up if you struggle some days.

Best wishes

Julie.

[Firefingers]

I had this same problem. I couldn't focus on anything... felt restless and anxious. The solution I found was to have a few things handy: mints to such on, a cup of ice, a comfy blanket. Then, I accepted that my time during dialysis wasn't time to be productive doing other things. I accepted the fact that I couldn't do extra stuff, even watch TV. And then I practiced meditation. There's a technique I'd used during childbirth where you allow time to slide by faster... almost entering a state of hypnosis. It became relaxing. Time moved faster. Sometimes I fell asleep, sometimes I didn't, but I stopped worrying about it. Allow yourself to focus on your breath. On all the little sounds. On hearing the difference between a voice close by, and one far away. Hope this helps.

[Shroomy]

I read the news on my phone. The newspaper has a puzzles section. I have learned to do the sudoku and like to do the crossword. I am still trying to get my head around cryptic crosswords. I also got the Duolingo app on my phone and am learning Spanish. Like you, i am unable to sleep and we do not have TV available. Have you tried podcasts or audio books ? Or load videos onto tablet to watch.