Started dialysis today

[7piglets]

So I first need to say thank you so much for everyone who has been so wonderful in answering all my questions. I dont know how I would do this if I never found you all..
So went into today for my first treatment and I can officially say I HATE dialysis... I felt like cattle. Everyone was nice dont get me wrong but just the process I hate.. they should have entertainment come in while you sit there LOL  I was just very impersonal. I even started questioning the meds they kept going to give me and glad I did because I was going to get double doses of meds. .I was taking meds at home and they were giving me more. .such as Aranesp, Zemplar .. I dont think they look at us as individuals and that scares me ..that leaves room for errors.
I was suppose to be there for 3.5hrs when it was time to leave I got up and thought I was going to pass out my bp dropped to 88 over 43 I had to wait another 1/2hr and they gave me broth to try and get bp up..stilll same ..then they realized to try and weigh me and seems they said too much fluid came out I was 63.4 (Ok yes clueless not sure how much that is LOL) and after i was 60.1 they seemed very concerned and had put more solution into me ..I have headache now but no muscle cramps yeah.. I am sure I will do fine I am just feeling sorry for myself..thanks again

[flip]

I'm sorry your first trip was so rough. Mine was easy because they started me at 2 hours and gradually added the time until I reached 3.5. Most centers have TV and wireless internet to keep you busy. Your BP drop was because they took off too much fluid. Don't let them mistreat you.

[keith]

sorry to hear about ur bad day  but look at it like this u can come here and we can try and help you get pass the tough times and look forward to the happy ones

[monrein]

Sounds like a rough start but hang in there and make sure that you monitor things yourself and keep on top of what they do with your machine settings.  Now you know the feeling of "crashing" with the low BP, make sure you check your BP regularly in order to catch it before the crash.  Ask them to show you how to do that in between checks.  Ask about every single thing they do so you can know as much as possible about your runs.  What pump speed did they run you at to start with?

Sending you hugs.
Gail

[Sunny]

Maybe next time will be better. I hope you are feeling better soon.

[st789]

Find things to do that can occupy you and think positive.

[kitkatz]

MOOOOO!   


Well I am of to dialysis now!  Moooooooooo!

[KR Cincy]

I'm sorry you crashed...the dry weight issue is a tricky one to start out...have them take less off and see how you're feeling.

The cattle feeling is also tricky...they have to take care of a lot of people since there are more and more of us needing dialysis. It's tough for everyone involved.

We're always here for you...keep posting!

[Ang]

gidday 7 piglets,


all  dialysis  patients  have  what  is  called  an  ideal  base  weight,  anything above  this  is  what  should  be  removed  each  run,  try  keep  your  fluid  intake  to  a  minimum(yeah  right )
as mentioned  above take  an  interest  in  what  happens  at  dx ,ask  questions,my  motto  is  "information  is  power"
if  your  cramping  or  headaches  its  probably  due  to  too much  fluid  being  removed.
for  the  first  week  or  2  dx  will  feel  yucky  but  should  get  better  as  time  goes  on
good  luck  with  it  all

[7piglets]

thanks everyone..
I went to dr today and he said they will just clean the blood but not take anything off. I am also off of bp pills thank goodness but i didnt take them today anyway and all day I still feel lightheaded and at one point thought I was going to pass out and throw up. I hope this is just tweeking everything and soon enough things will start going smoothly. Take 2 tomorrow hopefully will be a breeze ..thanks again

[Lori1851]

I will be thinking about you! I went and visited my son a few weeks ago then was called yday to go get him due to a migraine. You will learn what your "dry weight" is. Dustin knows exactly what they should be taking off. You can learn so much from all these wonderful people on here. I can only give you support since I am a caregiver. Read everything you can and soak it in like a sponge.
Lori/Indiana

[Razman]

Thanks for staying in touch and letting us know how you are doing.  I'm getting closer to  "that day"   so I want to know everything.    I hope it gets easier for you ( if that is even possible)

[flip]

Another thing that will help is to ask them to hook you "straight up". By doing this you will start receiving saline as soon as the blood starts pulling through the machine.

[pelagia]

Hopefully you and the center will quickly learn what's best for you.  This is certainly a great place to find support, experience and wisdom.  I hope that you start feeling better soon.