I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Introduction => Introduce Yourself => Topic started by: Fairheart on January 02, 2009, 03:47:39 PM

Title: I'm New here but dialysis is making me old
Post by: Fairheart on January 02, 2009, 03:47:39 PM
I started dialysis almost 2 years ago.  I'm in my early fifties and feel I've been condemned to old old age early.  I had an allergic reaction to a drug.  The doctor was convinced I had been "suffering" before I wound up in the hospital... he was wrong wrong wrong.  I felt great until I started dialysis.  I so need to talk to others that also hate dialysis.
Title: Re: I'm New here but dialysis is making me old
Post by: kimcanada on January 02, 2009, 03:50:27 PM
Hi and welcome :)

I am sorry to hear about the doctors mistake...  Do you mean that he put you on dialysis when you didn't need it?
Title: Re: I'm New here but dialysis is making me old
Post by: Fairheart on January 02, 2009, 04:17:27 PM
My drug reaction was severe and the numbers say I needed it.  The doctor was just convinced I was near renal failure BEFORE the drug reaction.
He told me I had to have been feeling bad and he was sure dialysis would make me feel better.  I found it frustrating that he wasn't listening.  I WAS exercising 5 times a week and felt great.  I did have some symptoms that indicated my body was reacting to medication but no one was sure until my tongue and throat started swelling and I wound up in the ER.

Even more frustrating to me is that my husband had died 3 years before and I was just starting to build a new life.  The kidney failure was worse than starting over again.
Title: Re: I'm New here but dialysis is making me old
Post by: Razman on January 02, 2009, 04:44:07 PM
It's great that you joined and yes dialysis is no fun but you've found that right place to talk to others or to ask questions.  Please stay in touch.
Title: Re: I'm New here but dialysis is making me old
Post by: boxman55 on January 02, 2009, 04:54:05 PM
Welcome to IHD glad you found us. This is a good place to rant because we listen and help. So post away

Boxman,Moderator
Title: Re: I'm New here but dialysis is making me old
Post by: monrein on January 02, 2009, 05:44:31 PM
 :welcomesign;  So glad you found us and decided to join. 
Title: Re: I'm New here but dialysis is making me old
Post by: thegrammalady on January 02, 2009, 05:47:44 PM
 :welcomesign; :welcomesign; :welcomesign; we all understand your frustration
Title: Re: I'm New here but dialysis is making me old
Post by: G-Ma on January 02, 2009, 06:13:02 PM
 :welcomesign;
Title: Re: I'm New here but dialysis is making me old
Post by: Zach on January 02, 2009, 09:08:28 PM
Welcome to the community!
 :beer1;
Title: Re: I'm New here but dialysis is making me old
Post by: Bajanne on January 02, 2009, 09:16:27 PM
Welcome to our community!  So glad you found us and joined us.  Yes, we sometimes are handed some difficult challenges.  However, I am always amazed at the strength of the human spirit in the midst of difficulties and challenges!  This is really a great place for information, support, and even some fun.  We are more than just a website.  You will soon find that we are family  :grouphug;  So take advantage of all that there is here.  Keep reading and keep posting.
Looking forward to hearing more from you.  :flower;



Bajanne, Moderator
Title: Re: I'm New here but dialysis is making me old
Post by: pelagia on January 02, 2009, 09:21:43 PM
 :welcomesign;
Title: Re: I'm New here but dialysis is making me old
Post by: Joe Paul on January 02, 2009, 10:31:50 PM
Welcome Fairheart, good to have you aboard.
Title: Re: I'm New here but dialysis is making me old
Post by: RichardMEL on January 02, 2009, 11:03:53 PM
Welcome Fairheart. It sounds like you've been through a fair bit. I actually understand a little bit about where you're coming from. I felt pretty fine right up till I started... my GFR was 6 (very low!) yet all I really felt was a bit tired but otherwise I was doing fine(well) and then along came dialysis. I can't say I felt really worse after starting (apart from the imposition on my life and the changes it caused eg fluid restrictions, diet etc) but I did start to feel a bit better after being on it a few weeks. I did agree with the call to start me even though I was feeling relatively OK prior. I think perhaps what the doc meant in your case, and probably in mine, is that if your function drops slowly over a period of time, you sort of "wind down" slowly and so you may not notice so much if you get more tired, or some other things not being so good. So you might feel OK all along but relative to a healthy person you're not doing so well, but it happens so slowly you sort of adjust to it and think it's normal(ish) to be the way you are. Maybe that's sort of what the doc meant in your case.. though telling someone they should feel bad when they don't is a bit much - nobody can tell someone else how they feel I reckon!

Anyway try to not let Dialysis get you down on life! If there's anything the IHD crew proves it is what an amazing, fulfulling and worthwhile life you CAN lead even with the stresses and demands of dialysis. Hopefully we can help you feel a bit less old and a little more human!!

 :welcomesign;
Title: Re: I'm New here but dialysis is making me old
Post by: nursewratchet on January 03, 2009, 07:12:21 AM
Details,please...  what feels bad, what symptoms are you having.  Some changes in your treatments are probably the answer.  Dialysis prescriptions have to be changed constantly, weight blood flows, dialysisate flows, needle size and dialyzer type, not to mention the makeup of the dialysate.  If you are having problems after 2 years time, something needs to be changed.  It may be an easy fix.  Don't get discouraged.  Keep posting, keep asking, you'll learn a lot, and be able to help others as well.   :flower;
Title: Re: I'm New here but dialysis is making me old
Post by: willieandwinnie on January 03, 2009, 07:21:39 AM
:welcomesign; Fairheart. Glad you found us and you will gets lots of responses. Hope to hear more from you and listen to what nursewratchet has to say.  :cuddle;
Title: Re: I'm New here but dialysis is making me old
Post by: paris on January 04, 2009, 05:34:27 PM
Fairheart,  We are glad you found us and joined this great family.   You will find lots of people waiting to help you.  Everyone here is always willing to help each other.  I hope you find an answer to your situation.  I think alot of us relate to the "feeling old" thing.   Looking forward to hearing more from you.






paris, Moderator