Dialysis blues?

[dlady64]

I've been on dialysis for 6 weeks or so now.  First month was CAPD and the last week has been CCPD.  After the first two weeks, I felt really great!  I had energy, actually took on a new writing project (great for my self esteem) and started doing a little business networking.

I've noticed in the last two weeks (increasingly more so), that I'm feeling the same way I did before starting treatment.  Nothing specific.  Just very lethargic, loss of appetite, can't get excited about anything... that sort of thing.  And, because I'm avoiding people (it takes so much energy to interact), I'm starting to hear the little voices in my head again.  OK, they're not REAL voices, but just sort of a distant murmuring.

I started my monthly cycle on 4/28, so I assumed this was the problem, but it doesn't seem to be going away--just getting worse.  I'm drifting into the old gray fog.

I had my labs done last month and my iron was .1 away from needing epo shots.  So, it's possible I'm just feeling the effects of anemia.  I have another appointment for labs next week, but probably won't get results for another week after that.

Anyone else had this experience?

[MyssAnne]

Yup.  Good ole depression. The physical kind, not the emotional/psychological kind.  I hate to say it, but ask your doctor about a mild
antidepressant.  I have one, Lexapro, and it does the job. For the most part.

[dlady64]

I'm familiar with depression ...I'm already taking Prozac.  Maybe I should discuss changing the dosage

I guess what I really wanted to know is whether we're supposed to feel "better" on dialysis.  I know everyone's mileage varies, but I thought I'd feel normal again, once the CCPD got underway.  Of course, I'm not sure what normal is, anymore.  But I know I did feel physically great for a couple of weeks.  That seems to have diminished though.

How do you guys feel on dialysis?  Are you dragging yourself through the day or leaping joyfully out of bed?

[flip]

Right now I'm leaping out of bed due to the steroids.

[MyssAnne]

Dragging. Very rarely do I feel good any more. Of course, I've had various things go wrong (tubing replaced, procedures, ailments, etc.), and it's sure darn hard to bounce back!!!

[KICKSTART]

Its swings and roundabouts , you dont constantly feel good , but you dont constantly feel bad . Trouble is you never know which its going to be !

[petey]

My Marvin is not your typical dialysis patient (heck, he's not a typical anything  ).  In the past 13 years since he's been on dialysis, he's been on an emotional  "high" -- with no drugs!  Every day, he gets out of the bed mentally ready to go.  Of course, there have been quite a few days when his body just wouldn't let him "go," but he's never had to deal with depression.  He's the happiest person I know.  From what I've read in many places about dialysis patients, I think he's the exception to the rule.  He's lucky.  My heart goes out to you for having to deal with this on top of everything else.

[flip]

Marvin sounds a lot like me. Wish I could meet him.

[kitkatz]

I think we go through phases where we do not feel right. See your doctor and discuss it with him. Try exercise if youa re allowed to.  Remember to go do something YOU enjoy once in awhile. Try to laugh.  If you need a good laugh go see this thread.  I laughed until I cried! http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=8177.0

[spacezombie]

I feel like that if I need EPO and/or if I need a little more dialysis. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling! Hopefully, they'll be able to work out what will make you feel better. <3

[flip]

Steroids and moonshine. That is the solution to dialysis blues.

[kitkatz]

I need some of that stuff!

[kimcanada]

I find that when my blood count is up I feel great, and as soon as it dips (80-110) I feel like crap..