Dialysis Info...

cover2 · Jun 5, 2019

Need a little first or second hand info on dialysis, what to expect, how it affects work and leisure activities, diet, etc. I've gotten the clinical stuff from the doctor and will take a CKD course, but figured if any of the members have had experience with it personally or with a family member, friend, it would be beneficial.

Most know my story with the Multiple Myeloma, but my particular strand carried kidney damage with it and I've operated with a little better than 20% function for the past 8+ years. My last couple of visits have shown a downward trend and my last reading was 19% with 15% being the time to start dialysis, so it's on the horizon. Feeling a lot more like John Bernard Books these days than Rooster Cogburn ;)! I still enjoy my job as an assistant principal and athletic director, plus I've got two in college, so I have a lot of inspiration to keep plugging (also looking forward to continuing the Gator football piece!). Anyhow, I'd appreciate anything you all can share on the subject.

g8r.tom · Jun 5, 2019

I have no experience with it.

But Good Luck !!

CGgater · Jun 5, 2019

Don’t know a thing about that, but I’ll say a prayer for ya!

Get well soon, Cover!

divits · Jun 5, 2019

Sorry to here about your kidney issues, Cover. It sounds like you have a pretty good under standing of the clinical side but if you ever do have any questions regarding that aspect or regarding meds and such my wife has sold into that market for years and is very well versed. As far as living with dialysis and the everyday expectations I’m not much help I’m afraid. Other than knowing that it’s usually M-W-F or T-Th-Sa and that you can sometimes feel pretty wiped out after a session I don’t know much.

Is a transplant any kind of an option for you?

cover2 · Jun 5, 2019

Thanks Divits, I may have some questions forthcoming as I get closer to it. Had a little preliminary talk about transplants, but in order to qualify, my Myeloma would have to be in full remission for two years consecutively and I bounce around the high side of that mark. So most likely not. I understand that here's two types employed...one in the arm that requires the three times a week/four hours each visit and one in the abdomen that you do while sleeping six nights a week. One of my old ball players has the latter and says he gets along pretty well with it. Selfishly and even though I don't work out like I did prior to my cancer and colon surgery, I worry about whether I would still be able to play golf. Hell, it's all I got left!

divits · Jun 5, 2019

cover2 said:
Thanks Divits, I may have some questions forthcoming as I get closer to it. Had a little preliminary talk about transplants, but in order to qualify, my Myeloma would have to be in full remission for two years consecutively and I bounce around the high side of that mark. So most likely not. I understand that here's two types employed...one in the arm that requires the three times a week/four hours each visit and one in the abdomen that you do while sleeping six nights a week. One of my old ball players has the latter and says he gets along pretty well with it. Selfishly and even though I don't work out like I did prior to my cancer and colon surgery, I worry about whether I would still be able to play golf. Hell, it's all I got left!

You should be able to play golf I would think. You just might get tired a little more often due to anemia. You can ask your doctor about using Epo/Procrit to help with anemia. It helps increase your red blood cell count.

Peritoneal dialysis is the one that uses your own body’s stomach “lining” the peritoneum, to filter out what your kidneys no longer can. It might be something worth trying if you can, at least at the beginning. It’s not that involved and you don’t need surgery to make a fistula in your arm. You basically plug yourself in when you go to sleep and let the machine and your body do the work. You don’t have to travel 3 days a week to a center and sit there for 4 hours. Of course it’s not for everyone and your nephrologist can tell you if you can do it. It would be my first choice if I were in your situation.

daytonacane · Jun 8, 2019

Cover2, first of all I am sorry to hear that you will be going thru this. My husband had dialysis M/W/F for 4 hours each. He scheduled for the latest in the day he could get. You kind of look like a prune after as it sucks the fluid out and he was tired afterward but some of that was due to simply sitting around for 4 hours. He would always go to bed early on dialysis days, but felt really good the next morning. He was retired but did some heavy gardening with no problem; thus, you should be able to play golf with no problem.

This does not limit travel as we went on a cruise that had dialysis and New England in the fall to see the change of color.. You can arrange to go about anywhere and receive dialysis.

It has been a number of years ago and home dialysis was not offered, but if approved by your doctor, I would initially try that.
Good luck and best wishes sent your way.

crosscreekcooter · Jun 9, 2019

Wishing you much luck Cover.

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Dialysis Info...

cover2

I've grown old

g8r.tom

Well-Known Member

CGgater

Gainesville Native

divits

A Muffin of the Studly Variety

cover2

I've grown old

divits

A Muffin of the Studly Variety

daytonacane

RIP

crosscreekcooter

Cunning Linguist; RIP

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