Transplant.vs dialysis

[Jade1982]

Hi. I am going through the process for a kidney transplant. I had my first appointment with the transplant deans was supposed by what he was saying. I felt like he was trying to talk me ougetting a transplant. He told me there was no guarantee a transplant would improve my life more than dialysis. Of course there are no guarantees but. I guess I didn’t expect him to be so negative about it.

so he told me to do some research. I decided to go ahead and do the scan of my kidneys veins to make sure I was even eligible. That is October 11.

I am not on dialysis as of yet so I have no idea about it either. My question is What do those who have done both happy with your choice?

[Notso]

Jade, chalk and cheese. I've done dialysis but had a transplant 4 years ago. I live a normal life and am much healthier. No more sitting in the dialysis chair for hours.

[Damigi28]

Jade, the doctors are not trying to talk you out of the transplant. It may sound negative, but they have to tell you what could possibly happen because nothing is guaranteed. Absolutely go for the transplant. It can take years on the list before you get one. You will feel so much better. Best of luck to you.

[Pc3661]

I was on hemodialysis for 5 and a half years waiting for a kidney. Dialysis will keep you alive while you wait for a transplant. But if you wiegh Dialysis vs Transplant , my opinion is Transplant. I learned while on dialysis , you have dialysis every other day. Every time you have your treatment, it will bring your GFR 15 up to percent. That does not accumulate- 15% is what you go home with. You may be tired, may need to rest or nap. Next day you'll feel better. And the next day after that you will start the process over again. With a tranplant, after recovery, EVERY Day is yours to go back to living a normal life. You will take meds the rest of your life. SMALL PRICE to pay! It's like being reborn!! If you don't have someone offering you a kidney, get on dialysis, it will save your life while waiting. In the meantime, get on the Transplant list as soon as possible. Best wishes to you. Hang in there...

[DennisB]

Hi Jade,

After being on dialysis for nearly a year I managed to get a live transplant from my brother. It was life changing having to do peritoneal dialysis for nearly a year 4 times a day it was very time consuming. Peritoneal dialysis meant I could do it myself anywhere I had the "bags" which meant I could go on holiday but needed to take the bags with me and needing 4 per day meant a lot of 1 liter bags were needed and it took about an hour from start to finish.

I was very fortunate that my brother offered and was able to give me one of his kidneys. Dialysis only "cleans the blood a little and I understand this blood can damage other organs in time. After the transplant my new kidney quickly started to work and my blood was 4 times cleaner than when on dialysis .

I do have to take a lot of immuno-suppresents daily to prevent rejection but it improved my lifestyle a lot. I would recommend going on the transplant list ASAP and if you have loved ones who could possibly give you a kidney then that is the best option. I think a deceased persons kidney is better than dialysis but I have no experience with it.

I've been 8 years with the transplant so far and although I'm not as fit as I was before my kidneys failed I can lead a good life. I'm now over 70 and retired so I can relax as I need to. Good luck on whatever you decide and I'm sure the medical people will support you in whatever decision you make.

[Taylor1329]

Hi Jade I have had both and believe me you do feel so much better after a transplant . Freedom firstly, lots more energy and able to do lots more things with you life . Good luck with your decision ❤️ Gail From England