Until you start dialysis you will progressively feel worse and worse. A few weeks before I started dialysis I was so weak that I could do nothing but lie on the couch and go to the bathroom. I probably stopped taking showers.
Medicare has certain blood test requirements before they will pay for dialysis. Theoretically you could pay to start earlier.
It seems to me that Medicare seems to prefer to wait until the last possible second before they'll authorize treatment. Like maybe you'll get hit by a bus while waiting and they won't have to pay for dialysis. I know I thought I was going to die for awhile there.
You will feel much better when dialysis starts but you will never feel normal inside. But you will feel good enough that you will live a normal life and everyone will comment on how well you look and act.
So hang in there and accept the weakness things will get better.
Life on dialysis is not perfect but definitely worth waiting for and living with.

Before I sarted on Dialysis I use to take doses of Epogen, This drug is made to simulate erythropoiesis (increases red blood cell levels) and its used to treat Anemia. I remember those days I could not stand in the shower without feeling i was going to blackout, maybe if you have coverage for Epogen or Procrit I would ask your doctor to prescribe the medicine since your kidneys do not make this chemical or not enough of it.Just dont give up even if you cant get on the epogen(procrit) things will get better.

Revelasco is right. I had forgotton (I've had a transplant for 2 years). I've forgotton that some dialysis centers will under dose, or some patients won't pay for, a adequate dose.
If you are anemic and have a low blood cell count that could be a solution.

i too was real weak before dialysis i made wekly trips to the hospital then biweekly trips for epogen shots i was very very amenic mcate

This is an old post, but i feel compelled to add my two cents in.

As far as fatigue goes, 9 times out of ten is caused by anemia. There are three shots (EPO, aranesp and Procrit) that I know of which will help build your red blood cells to bring hemoglobin to a normal range. (Normal is above 12). When patients are extremely anemic Drs sometimes use an intrevenous drug called Venofer which brings iron stores up quickly. They try the shots, then venofer, if none of those treatments work, they have no choice but to give blood transfusions.

As far as when does Medicare start paying for dialysis? When a patient is considered ESRD (end stage renal failure) or a GFR below 15% It's up to your Dr/labs when you start treatment. While some Drs wait for a patient to be with a GFR below 10 and feeling terribly sick, my Dr decided to start me at 13-15% and I never felt sick (Thank goodness for that!!!)

Here is what I do know and yall may find this interesting.

Clinics are reimbersed a set amount. If a Dr orders EPO and orders a larger dose because you are running more anemic than standard, many clinics refuse to let the Dr order the larger dose because its VERY EXPENSIVE and the clinic administration (way up) actually make many of the decisions without the Drs input.

Now, if you have a good Dr and is one that goes to bat for his or her patients they will not tolerate that. But, they are contracted with the clinics in most cases. Some Drs run their own clinics.

I have seen the best of the best and I have seen what I would not let treat my cat. Sad, but true.

It is completely alright for you to find out who actually owns your clinic.