I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: skuch65 on June 23, 2008, 08:34:12 PM

Title: Working in the heat with CKD
Post by: skuch65 on June 23, 2008, 08:34:12 PM
Hello stage 4 CKD.  I work outside in the heat.  It makes me very tired doing this it's like walking in the sand trying to catch my breath.  Walking up hills/strairs just kills me I go home at night totally beat.  Any ideas to help survive in the heat ? thanks
Title: Re: Working in the heat with CKD
Post by: keith on June 23, 2008, 08:42:11 PM
drink alot and take breaks and if by chance u can get a job inside go 4-it
Title: Re: Working in the heat with CKD
Post by: KICKSTART on June 24, 2008, 02:11:05 AM
I would say ..DONT drink alot it will only add to your breathlessness , you will end up swollen and overloaded with fluid. Although the heat will not help ,chances are your tiredness and trying to catch your breath are more to do with kidney failure than the heat ,as they are classic symptoms. It might be time to go back to your doctor and maybe give up work now? If you cant give up work or change jobs then try staying in the shade , sucking ice and having one of those cooling mist sprays you could spray your face with to cool you down , but dont start drinking loads it wont help your condition.
Title: Re: Working in the heat with CKD
Post by: Loretta on June 24, 2008, 01:11:58 PM
Working in the heat while not feeling well for any reason is tough.  Make sure not to drink more than your kidneys are able to output.  Ice is a good idea.  It will cool you down with less work on the kidneys.

Giving up work was the hardest part of this disease for me.

Wishing you health!
Loretta
Title: Re: Working in the heat with CKD
Post by: Sunny on June 24, 2008, 01:52:48 PM
Since you are pre-dialysis, like me, you need to stay hydrated in the heat. My renal doctor advises me to drink at least 6 glasses of water (the tall ones) a day.
When it is hot you will swell up more and that is because of reduced kidney function, but not drinking enough water will only make you sicker. It might be time
for your doctor to either place you on reduced work, or place you on different kind of work that isn't as hard on your body. This requires a disability slip from
the doctor and depending on the kind of work benefits coverage you have, your employee is required by law to accommodate you. That means the employer either
reduces your hours or reassigns you to a job you can do. Disability coverage through your employer is supposed to make up the salary difference. Some people
on renal disability collect $ from Social Security. It all depends on the coverage you have with your employer and whether you have been employed long enough.
You really shouldn't be beating yourself up trying to work a job that's not within your abilities anymore. You need to take care of yourself.
Title: Re: Working in the heat with CKD
Post by: flip on June 24, 2008, 02:32:11 PM
When I'm working out in the heat I usually do the energy drinks (Red Bull, Amp, etc.). It works for me.