I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: southyard on September 27, 2008, 12:40:28 PM
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Since I've been on dialysis I seem to be more tired. I sit on my recliner to watch the news etc and fall alseep 95% of the time
WHY?
I admittedly do not follow the prescribed diet as I have given this treatment a 6 month trial. Now on 3rd month.
Also I admit to not fully understanding the malady I have. At my age I do not wish to continue on. Any help with this problem/desire?
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I felt sad when I read your post Southyard but I do understand how you might feel like giving up since you're not feeling better since starting dialysis.
Tiredness, fatigue and lack of energy are part of our illness and for these to improve we have to get rid of the toxins that build up in our bodies. Dialysis is how we get rid of them since our kidneys no longer do the job of filtering them from our blood. Toxins come from the natural processes of cells breaking down in the body AND from the food we eat.
Twelve hours of dialysis is really the bare minimum and if you are ignoring the renal diet and piling on the toxins then even with the dialysis you are likely still circulating many toxins in your blood and it is all this poison that produces our symptoms, like tiredness.
You also may tire more easily because of your age and many of us who have this disease can and do become depressed, which can also make a person feel like sleeping all the time.
I think it's a fair approach to give the treatment a trial period but the diet is as important as the sessions so your trial isn't a true one. It's like test driving a car with water in the fuel and the emergency brake on. You probably wouldn't buy the thing and who could blame you?
Do you have a dietician who could help you with the food part of things? Ask your team to refer you to one. Get them to help you figure out exactly what to eat, how much and also which cheating on the diet is better and which is really harmful.
Could you also speak with a social worker about how best to plan for giving up if that is what you decide is best for you after all else fails?
There's a lot that we need to know about this malady and even that fact can be so overpowering. I wish that I could come to your house and have a chat and a half cup of decaf coffee with non-dairy creamer (that darned diet follows me everywhere I go). I'd be so interested to hear about your life.
In the meantime I send you a big hug. :grouphug;
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southyard, dialysis cannot totally replace your working kidneys. Some toxins don't get removed as easy as others. You should ask your Dr. if they are drying you out too much, and also I'm going to assume (please correct me if I'm wrong) but your probably not a real big eater, are you? You should eat whatever you want in moderation. My husband was never really on the renal diet because he was so malnourished and all his numbers were in the toilet. Not all renal patients are equal and that is one of the problems with clinics and their cookie cuttie treatment. My hubby always napped after dialysis but the next day he would be better and would only take small cat nap mid-day. I read where you are going to have a birthday soon, and I just talked to my husband about you and he said, he completely understands where you are coming from. He was 52 when he became critically ill, he woke up after 6 months in the hospital on a ventilator and dialysis and was so pissed at me. He never wanted to be kept alive in that fashion. It sounds like your family understands your wishes and you should give it the 6 months and see if you feel any improvement. Remember, were here for you. :cuddle;
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It takes a little while to adjust to dialysis. It also takes time to tweak the process as far as machine settings, blood flow, etc. Your monthly labs should tell you if your diet is okay.
Hang in there, everything will be okay. If I had to sit in my recliner and watch the news, I'd probably fall asleep too.
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It takes a little while to adjust to dialysis. It also takes time to tweak the process as far as machine settings, blood flow, etc. Your monthly labs should tell you if your diet is okay.
Hang in there, everything will be okay. If I had to sit in my recliner and watch the news, I'd probably fall asleep too.
I was thinking the same thing, Flip! :rofl; Actually, my thought was (of note I'm predialysis and don't have any clue what you guys are going through) that just sitting in a chair, not being able to get up and/or move around AND watching the news would probably put me to sleep, too! :rofl;
Hang in there Southyard. My heart and thoughts are with you no matter your decision. I pray your next three months are GREAT!!!!!!!! :cuddle; Keep us posted!
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Are they giving you Epogen during dialysis? Are you anemic? I know my son was and was tired a lot also.
Lori/Indiana
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Hugs to you Southyard....I think we all know how you feel, have been there many times. Yes, give it a trial if you wamt bit be honest to yourself and do your required dialysis and as close to the renal diet as possible. I know..trust me I know we all "cheat" on our diets but we still work on being close to requirements. All my life I have been able to fall asleep sitting in a recliner or on a footstool balanced on a highwire but when I go to bed I can't sleep..go figure, and depression or toxins can both put you to sleep in a hurry. Give it a real try and then make your decision from there. We are all here for you.
Ann
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:cuddle; southyard
Take care. :)