Its not a life of roses. But what you're hearing here is the problems. And usually the worst problems. To think that you will have all of them and as badly is isn't going true.

Also having had a successful liver transplant should set you up for a kidney transplant assuming you are otherwise eligible.

With a transplant now working I can reflect on the days on dialysis (8 years) and remember it was not all fun but it was not all misery either.

I remember smiling at the technicians and chair mates when I arrived so my upcoming treatment could not be that bad.

I remember traveling: air, RV, auto, foot. No bicycle but that was just me.

I dialyzed here at home, in Detroit, Nashville, Hawaii - for a month, Seattle 3 times for a month each living in my RV.

My life did go on and yours will also, just differently. Heads up girl things could be worse.

Hi judt so u now it not all bad. I was able to vite with finds on my good days. I made friends on dailysis and was able to do things with family and friends and on the weekends when i was feeling good I had fun, then on Monday back at dailysis we talk about are weekends like it was a job,so try to make friends on dailysis and think of it as a job that u have good days at work and bad days in the end u will be happy u are a live and God dose have a reason for u being sick i don't know what it is but He dose.Keep your hope up and all will work out in the.

i've been on dialysis for 6+ years its not a bed of roses but it's not all bad either once you get used to the diet it can be okay it's like having a job you go to 3 times a week do your "work" then come home rest a bit and go about your day sometimes you need a little more rest than others but not so bad it beats the alternative all to hell mcate

I've been doing Peritoneal dialysis for almost 5 yrs. It's been relatively easy. The hardest part for me was getting used to the diet, but you do what you have to do to feel better.
Most people on hemo have a harder time because when too much fluid is removed so quickly your blood pressure drops and makes feel wiped out. Not the case with PD. I never feel tired unless my hemoglobin (red blood cells) is low. But, even that has an easy solution. There's a shot I give myself twice a month and take oral iron to keep my iron stores within range. thank goodness it's been a piece of cake for me.

Take care!

I am a new PD dialysis patient. I actually feel better than I have in a year or more. Now that I have the hang of it all, it is becoming routine. Its nice to have more energy. I had a choice between PD and hemo. I hope you have a choice too. There are a lot of choices now thanks to pushy patients. Best of luck to you

While I am not a dialysis patient, I do have the experience of caring for my Mom. From what I gained from the whole dialysis lifestyle and how you do with the treatments seems to be related to how compliant the patient is with fluid intake, etc. I realize that may not always be the case but it does make a big difference in how you feel during the treatment and after.

Doing home Hemodialysis for 18&1/2 hrs per week. Therefore within reason can eat anything I like, low fat because of diabetes. Now have no trouble at all with cannulation and compared with b4 dialysis everything's a piece of cake. Getting fitter and looking forward to transplant, am on the list at 62 years an accomplishment in itself. Dont apply others woes to yourself. Often they are just ventilating on a BAD day! Hope you do as well or better than I, love Mindy xxx

Mindy, that is very good advice:) This is truly an individual response. Everyone will react somewhat different but with a good Dr, and staff doing your treatments and watching your do's and don'ts it will help determine how you feel.

Doing Home Hemo was the best (as far as our experience goes). Things for doing home hemo in the states have changed over the past few years though and many that were able to do that had to go back to clinic situations.

I know people that do PD and their quality of life seems to be better. Its more controlled as some have mentioned.

But again, it is an individual thing and while all of us can give advise, don't let us overwhelm you if we or someone we know is having a bad time of it.