new technology nanotechnology full time transplanted kidney

[gorwell1984]

http://cimit.typepad.com/cimit_forum_blog/2008/01/quest-for-a-wea.html

Please forgive me if this website and new nanotechnology artificial kidney news has already been posted. This is such a huge website It would take me all day to see if this has already been posted.

[gorwell1984]

I realize this nano technology artificial kidney is only in the embryonic stages right now and may never happen, or even if it does advance it could be many years down the road.
Being new to the wonderful board with more information that one could ever imagine I understand it's my obligation to help to contribute.
I am predialysis but the way it's going it only a matter of weeks maybe a few months before I will be on some type of dialysis.
I'm still trying to figure out what type of dialysis to go with. I'm 56 years old, have had hypertension since I was 21 years old (1973). I was hospitalized for 7 days for testing by the University of Arizona to try and figure out why I was hypertensive at such a young age. After being run through the ringer and tested extensively I was finally diagnosed with "essential" hypertension. In 2000 I was diagnosed with type II diabetes and have had a very hard time keeping my blood sugar below 200 and HBa1C lower than 7 regardless of the type of pharmaceuticals I was on. I have always been very athletic (up until 2001). In 2001 I suffered a severe back injury that required surgery. Even though the surgery helped it left me very limited physically. So I was pretty much left with a bottle of narcotics which I've had to take since my surgery and have become addicted to after several attempts at trying other options to relieve the pain so I could work. Becoming a drug addict was not my intention at all, but with failed implanted nerver stimulators, epadurals and physical therapy all the neurosurgeons and pain specialists could do was make me dependent on narcotics.
Anyway, back to the reason for the post. I have read allot of posts, spoken with many kidney patients, doctors, etc. and not at all looking forward to dialysis like most (if not all) members here.

I surf the web several times a week looking for any new developments for kidney/dialysis patients. The thought of losing my kidney function has made me a very depressed person. By nature, I have always been an optimistic person but since my diagnosis of CKD last April and the fast deterioration of my kidney function (37% over the last 9 months) I have become totally depressed all the time. There is nothing in my life that I enjoy due to this illness. To me it's like receiving a death sentence without a set date, noing that death could come at anytime. I have been anemic for over a year and just recently my insurance agreed to start paying for my procrit as long as my hematocrit was below 33 ( it was below 33 for over 2 years). That tells me that I've probably been in renal decline for 2 plus years but my pcp never did anything about it and once he did we were in a fight with my insurance company to pay for it. Insurance companies are murderers plain and simple. Once a patient becomes diagnosed with a chronic disease they don't want anything to do with them, unless you're lucky enough to have a good one and a good doctor that cares enough to get involved with his patients. But that's been a rarity with me.

Anyway, I would appreciate any advice on which kind of dialysis to seek once my pcp turns me over to the care of a nephrologist would be greatly appreciated. Being on an HMO I have to have a GFR of 30< before my pcp will refer me to a nephrologist (Jan.30th 2008 my GFR was 33, Createnine 2.09, BUN 53). Also, I would be greatful for any other advice anyone could offer me knowing my situation.

Thank you in advance,
Rick

[Bill Peckham]

Nanotechnology is pretty exciting. The idea of designing the pores of the semipermeable membrane and having a pore library is amazing and it is something that could be here sooner rather than later. Going the next step and using passive diffusion so that the need for dialysate is eliminated will revolutionize hemodialysis. Very exciting.

If you haven't already you should post an introduction so that you can be properly welcomed. This is a great site for connecting to people traveling the CKD road. The fact you're engaged predialysis tells me you're already way ahead where I was when I was at your stage. I always suggest that http://www.kidneyschool.org should be a person's first stop on the learning curve.

Check out the various types of dialysis - there are good reason's to choose each alternative. Find the one that fits you. What do you want to be able to continue to do once you start dialysis? Tell us that (maybe start a new thread "How to choose?" and it'll help us make suggestions. What three things are most important to you?

[gorwell1984]

Thank You for the information Bill,

I am (at least I thought I am In the introduction page "gorwell1984" / Rick

[okarol]

Thank You for the information Bill,

I am (at least I thought I am In the introduction page "gorwell1984" / Rick

Yes - you are there http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=7005.0

[carla]

Hi Gorwell

I feel I am exactly in the same place you are.  Ever since I was told I have to have dialysis within the next few months I feel like a zombie.  I have absolutely no interest in anything any more.  It feels as if I was sent to prison but am on some kind of work release program.  The thought of spending 12 hours a week hooked up to a dialysis machine is just unfathomable.  What am I going to do.  I have lost interest in reading, I hate most daytime TV and reality shows, I could listen to music I guess but I am not interested any more.  I know I suffer from depression but this is just the worst ever.  I don't know how I am going to make it.  I think the people here are amazing and this site is informative but I am hoping and praying for some breakthroughs and I search every week for them just like you.  Take care.