Dialysis Support Group

It seems that having treatments to remove toxins as well as other substances that can be dangerous when they build up in the body such as potassium. My husband lost a patient this week that skipped one treatment (which is pretty much a no no) and was due to come in for his next scheduled treatment and he died the morning before he got to the clinic. Its very likely he had either too much fluid on or too much potassium which causes heart attacks.

Even though he is still making some urine, it does not mean that his kidneys are removing and filtering the blood that keeps us healthy.

Would it be better for him to be on hemo? Would that give him more than 18 mths choosing that option?

Steve is not yet on any type of dialysis,he is not skipping a treatment rather deciding if he wants to start on it. I want what will keep him alive, with the most quality of life the longest. Doctor does not think hemo is an option. His fistula has failed twice now. We have done a lot of talking in the last 24 hours and he is willing to commit to the PD.

PD is less restrictive since its done everyday. When you do three times a week, you have to be more careful of what you eat and drink because you can't put on too much fluid in between treatments or you will have more difficult side effects like nausea and feeling faint.

Good luck to you and your husband on your journey.

So glad he is willing to try PD. I started out on PD. I loved it and my husband was very involved. It is a lot of work, but the benefits made it worth it for me.

I am glad he is willing to do PD and I do not think it will be so rigid that Steve will not want to follow what he needs to do.

Plese keep us posted on what is going on as we all care about each other here and we are more than willing to offer you emotional support as best we can. I know it must be terribly difficult for you as a spouse that wants to keep her hubby with her as long as possible and yet maintain some quality of life for him. I would want the exact same thing if it was my husband or I that was faced with this issue.

God bless both of you.

My advice based on my experience is the sooner he starts the better. Most dialysis patients who have had PD or Hemo like PD better although many later have to move to Hemo. There are alternatives to a fistula. I don't see many advantages of starting; I think he will feel better when he does start. PD will take out of the body potassium, toxins, water and other things. I always wish I had started earlier rather than waiting for complete renal failure.
Good Luck and God Bless

Hi Im 22yrs old and was still urinating, a whole lot too. I didnt think that going on dialysis was going to do anything since I was still peeing. But It actually helped. It gave me my natural rosey cheeks back, and some energy I've longed for. If he chooses to stop, everything will go downhill. Trust me, dialysis will prolong his kidneys, especially if his diet is good too. Google, watch on youtube, borrow movies from your doctor, even ask to speak to a patient at the dialysis clinic. If any is willing to speak. Good luck.