New guy from Orlando

[Vdoman]

Hello Everybody,

I am a new member to this message board.  I am a 52 year-old man who lives in Orlando with my wife and kids. 

i was born with only one kidney and always knew in the back of my mind that it may become a problem someday.  Well, those days are coming fast.  I meet with my Kidney Doctor later on this week.  He tells me that he needs to schedule me for a fistula next.

Dialysis will be a career killer for me as I travel for a living.  I didn't want to retire this early.

Very frustrated

[Shaks24]

Welcome Vdoman    . I am 54 and started this last September. Just take it one day at a time. I own my own business but the work is physical and I have not been able to do it anymore. It is frustrating and throws up all kinds of hurdles. I hope your transition goes as smoothly as possible for you. Let us know if you have questions we can answer.

[Jean]

 Welcome Vdoman. I understand your frustration. I had to give up a 28 year old income tax preparer business due to foggy brain. I am amazed you lasted this long with out dialysis. Maybe you can do nocturnal and take care of your business too???   

[cassandra]

Welcome to the site Vdoman, you cld look into Nxstage  when doing HD, or (A)PD, so traveling cld still be poss?

Take care, Cas

[Poppylicious]

Hi Vdoman, and  !

There are different types of dialysis available so make sure you do your research to find out which will work best for you and your lifestyle. 

Poppylicious, Moderator

[Simon Dog]

Welcome to the site Vdoman, you cld look into Nxstage  when doing HD, or (A)PD, so traveling cld still be poss?

Take care, Cas

I hear great things about NxStage, however, there are other home hemo modailties that are worthy of consideration.  The one to rule out is "3x/week" (many papers on why this is sub-optimal), however, conventional every other day or nocturnal every other day are viable therapies.  In order to go "every other day", you generally will need to use a full size conventional machine that can obtain a URR of at least 65% in a single treatment; NxStage is usually more like 45% in one treatment (which is why NxStage patients are typically 5 or 6 days/week)

[Vdoman]

Thanks all...  I'm getting a big education fast.  I see my neph doc today.

I'm looking into any kind of diet, supplement or vitamin that will keep my kidney functioning as long as possible.

Vdoman

[Shaks24]

The main two D providers also have what they call kidney school. Its a 1 afternoon deal where they walk through all the options in detail. I did it through Fresenius and I knew a lot of the stuff but it was still helpful and it is no charge to you if a neph refers you to them.

[MooseMom]

Oh, and there is http://kidneyschool.org/ .  It is, imho, the best online educational resource for those newly diagnosed renal patients who may be facing dialysis.  Go to the Learning Modules and read them in whichever order you please.