Can a man still father children while on dialysis or after transplant?

[Sara]

Would any of the drugs after transplant potentially cause birth defects or other problems?

[Epoman]

Would any of the drugs after transplant potentially cause birth defects or other problems?

While I can't speak for after a transplant but I have been on dialysis for 12+ years and I have a healthy son who is 8 years old. You do the math. 

Some people suffer from impotence after being on dialysis however there is no proof that dialysis causes impotence many doctors believe it's the mans own self image that causes a psychological block meaning they feel or think the opposite sex will not be attracted to them anymore due to the dialysis access or or problems associated with dialysis.

I will do some research and also ask some transplantees if they had/have any problems.

[secondchance]

Couldn't agree more. I think its more of a psychological problem ,not a physical one.

[Bear]

Well I don't think mine is psychological - I was _that_ sick before I even got onto P.D.,
that my libido was virtually nil. P.D. didn't improve it, except for a short while after I had an iron infusion
I haven't really been on haemo long enough to tell....
Doctor's love saying "Oh it's psychological tho, when they don't have an answer...the girls'll
know about that from P.M.S.!"   

[livecam]

I never had any children during dialysis or after transplant but can say that desire and ability were never affected by either.  I can recall mentally undressing more than a few dialysis nurses during treatment.  Once I told one that she probably looked good in a bikini...that was a lapse of judgement and I regretted the comment immediately but...she probably does look good in one.

[Epoman]

I never had any children during dialysis or after transplant but can say that desire and ability were never affected by either.  I can recall mentally undressing more than a few dialysis nurses during treatment.  Once I told one that she probably looked good in a bikini...that was a lapse of judgement and I regretted the comment immediately but...she probably does look good in one.

I like you.  please go to the "Introduce yourself" section and tell us about yourself. I know you did in your very first post, but we need to know more about YOU not just the dialysis part.

- Epoman

[Sara]

I just read somewhere (kidney.org maybe) that sperm counts can drop in a man on dialysis.  Joe went to the doctor yesterday and talked to them about testing to see what's what.  I guess we'll see.  If it's not an option, on to adoption!

[Epoman]

I just read somewhere (kidney.org maybe) that sperm counts can drop in a man on dialysis.  Joe went to the doctor yesterday and talked to them about testing to see what's what.  I guess we'll see.  If it's not an option, on to adoption!

 

Did you know ALOT of things can lower sperm count, hell certain foods a man eats can lower sperm count. Why is Joe going to go through testing? Why not just have a bunch of sex and try? I have seen ALOT of men be on dialysis and have kids, myself included. Some couples it takes time to get pregnant, others it's the first time, it took my wife and I about 6 months of trying, however my friend who is perfectly healthy, it took him and his wife over a year

- Epoman

[Sara]

Because we've been trying for over 5 years.  I have problems ovulating, which we know from experience can be fixed with certain medications.  But we are probably going to need to have fairly expensive procedures done if we want to get pregnant, and it would be nice to know if there's anything to work with, before we spend that money.

[Epoman]

Because we've been trying for over 5 years.  I have problems ovulating, which we know from experience can be fixed with certain medications.  But we are probably going to need to have fairly expensive procedures done if we want to get pregnant, and it would be nice to know if there's anything to work with, before we spend that money.

Fair enough, now I understand the WHOLE story, you left out that very important piece of the puzzle. It would seem Joe would/should have been tested years ago even before the dialysis "thing" started. I wish you luck and I hope you have a child, it is a wonderful thing to be a parent. a child will give Joe a passion to fight this disease that he does not know yet. 

- Epoman

[Mandarin]

Hey, my brother had a transplant a few years ago, and he and his wife had a baby boy 3 months ago.  The baby is healthy.  Good luck!

[Sara]

Just an FYI, I did find out that with Lyrica, one of the meds Joe is taking for restless legs, you must consult your doctor before trying to have children.  I think it may cause birth defects. 

[Epoman]

Just an FYI, I did find out that with Lyrica, one of the meds Joe is taking for restless legs, you must consult your doctor before trying to have children.  I think it may cause birth defects. 

REALLY? wow great thanks for posting that, maybe you should also mention that in the RLS thread as well.

[angieskidney]

Just an FYI, I did find out that with Lyrica, one of the meds Joe is taking for restless legs, you must consult your doctor before trying to have children.  I think it may cause birth defects. 

REALLY? wow great thanks for posting that, maybe you should also mention that in the RLS thread as well.

Is copy paste okay in this situation?
Just a thought

Anyway, I know when I had a transplant i felt healthy enough but I have no kids and haven't gotten married yet. I do know people who have had a transplant and went on to have kids. Basically though you would be higher risk (girls) but this is about men becoming fathers .. I never thought about it from that point of view. I know the medication is dangerous for nursing mothers so they must use a bottle to feed the baby. I am curious if there is any documentation on fathers!

As for women, I don't think it is wise for women on PD to have kids because there would not be enough room for a baby to grow. I don't know how HD would be though even though if it does happen, I am pretty sure the baby could be carried to full term.