Old Guy but new to all this

[stuckhere08]

Hi all. So I found out , or really they told me rather bluntly, I needed dialysis NOW. I had no symptoms. Felt fine. But creatine (?) levels were getting high. All other test put me close but not over the line. But here I sit, 4 hrs every Tues, Thurs, and Sat. For ever. And I hate it. Hate the time it takes, the needles, and the boredom. But you all know about that sh*t. They say you will get used to it. L.hope so. I'm ready to pull the plug now. I hope being here helps. But I see I'm not alone. Gotta be a better way. Praying not working out.

[PrimeTimer]

  Welcome to ihd, stuckhere08! You are right; you are not alone here. Even worse, this bunch will have you laughing and feeling good in no time. But seriously, you're in good company, they are very supportive here, no matter your trouble. Speak up, vent or ask questions. They care here so someone will answer. 

[MooseMom]

Welcome to our community, stuck!  I'm sorry you are, well, stuck, but I'm glad there exists a way to treat your kidney failure.  Do you know what happened?  How did you find out you needed dialysis?  Had you been feeling unwell for a while?

I have to be honest; I have not been on dialysis but had EVERY reason to think I would be.  I'd been on the transplant list for 2 years after at least 8 years of gradually declining kidney function.  I had a fistula and was dreading the moment when I'd have to start.  I had nightmares about it.  Actually, I still have nightmares about it.

But, my mother was on dialysis for 5 years after an operation went pear shaped and she lost her kidney function as a result.  I did not live close to her, but whenever she visited me or I visited her, I'd take her to dialysis and bring her lunch (usually a Whataburger), so I could see for myself how it all worked.  I asked myself the same questions as you are asking...is this something I could actually get used to?  What in the world would I do with myself for 4 hours, stuck in a chair, every other day?

These are the $64,000 questions, and the answers are personal, practical, and also unique.  Please feel free to use the search function to help you find some answers that have been posted year through the past decade or so.  Many people sleep.  Many take an e-reader and catch up on their reading, and others listen to music on their phones.  I don't know if anyone ever really gets used to it, but they adapt, some more easily than others.  There are those who fall into a depression, and there are those who are grateful they have a chance to stay amongst the living and so do not resent the time. 

I also have to say that there are people who come to IHD ready to "pull the plug".  That's a very real choice that some people wrestle with.

For how long have you been on dialysis?  Are you feeling OK?  Are you coping any better?

[Michael Murphy]

I have been on dialysis for 8 years,  after a year I began be depressed by the never ending string of dialysis sessions I had gone through and the endless stream in my future. One Friday I turned to the charge nurse and said that’s it I am not coming back any more this week.  She began to argue I had too and we ending up discussing this for several iterations.  When she realized it was Friday and I was done for the week.  I began to feel better since every Friday I was done for the week, so I began to celebrate the completion of the week and the reward of a extra day off. 

[SooMK]

Welcome! I was fortunate to have a pre-emptive transplant but my mom had dialysis for 7 years before her death. She hated it but she always was prepared. She had a large tote bag filled with what she needed. She did a lot of reading and needlework. I keep hoping some of these new technologies will be available soon to people dealing with dialysis. I have family members who are not many years off from facing dialysis.

[Hereware]

Hey there. I understand how it suc*s, everything about it does. Being here and talking to fellow strong people helps. Wishing you well.

[frugallyzing]

Hi there! Welcome to the forum. Wishing you well.