hi everyone

[swell]

Just discovered this website - it's awesome!
I am not on dialysis yet, but will be someday.....and it really scares me because of all the horror stories I've heard.
I have FSGS - diagnosed in September 2005.  I've been on Prednisone for 11 months, and it's been hellish at times. My nephrologist has told me I'm looking at dialysis or a transplant in the future, so I've been doing a lot of reading and ended up here.
It's hard to be optimistic about this - kidney disease sucks....but at least there are options that are available.  I just don't like what those options are 

I have enjoyed reading the posts here, and I really appreciate everyone's honesty about their experiences.

[deej]

Hi swell. Glad to have you on the site. You´re right - it is awesome! But you´re on the right track by reading up on kidney disease / dialysis. Welcome. 

[Bajanne]

Greetings and salutations!  Welcome to our little community.  Our community is  made up of the entire gamut of the renal experience - those on PD, HD, at home, in centre, not yet on dialysis, those with transplants, those waiting, spouses, parents, caregivers, significant others, nurses, techs (and maybe someday, doctors who are real).  No problem with fitting in.  You have come at a point where we have over 11,000 posts, so there is a lot for you to read.  But please, don't just read; add your 2¢ as well.
You might have noticed that we have other sections - Nxstage, arcade, chat, and among our boards, there is the Off Topic Section where we deal with ANYTHING!  And it is all for your benefit.  Enjoy!

[goofynina]

Hello Swell, and Welcome to Ihatedialysis.com.  I am so happy for you that you found us, alot of questions you may have can or has already been answered here.  If you cannot find what you are looking for i am sure we will do what we can to help you.  So many members here and we all have one thing in common, that being dialysis.  We all have questions to ask, stories to tell, jokes to share, we have it all here, so make yourself comfy and read on,  and please, do not hesitate to ask questions, post comments or concerns as well, we are in this together....It also helps to know that you are not alone. (well, that helps me)   Hope to hear from you again soon...

[Joe Paul]

Welcome swell, I'm sure you'll like it here, and find all the info you can want.

[kevno]

Hi swell

Hope you find which road is best for you with your dialysis in the future This site does not have the answer for you, but it will answer many questions you may have.

[Sluff]

Hello Swell,
  Welcome to the site. I am also not on dialysis yet but will be in the future. I was diagnosed FSGS also but refused prednisone, at least for now I'm just taking cyclosporine. That may change in a couple of weeks because it is no longer helping me like it did the first month I was taking it, we might have to add prednisone. Anyway welcome to this great site.

[Mom3]

Welcome Swell. Are you a gentleman or a lady? What do those initials stand for. I should probably know but I don't. I'm also pre-dialysis due to PKD (polycystic)...as well as the mother of a hemo pt.

Mom 3

[swell]

Thanks for the welcome!

Sluff:
Tell me about your experiences with Cyclosporine.  That might be my next step.............the side effects sound bad, so I'm a little apprehensive.

Mom3:
I am female, with a son who's 12.

Should I be posting these on another board??

[Rerun]

Swell, go back to the list of posts and find your name and click on it.  There you can update your profile.  Add your gender and tell us as much as you feel comfortable with there.  If you have any questions, there is a section on "Site Requests and Technical Help."

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?board=12.0

Rerun - Moderator