Can you drive home after Hemo?

[keefer51]

True Story. When i finally succumbed to the fact i had to go back on dialysis my first day there was anything but pleasent. Now i waited till my creatine was 10.3. I remember waking up and finding i couldn't walk. I had some kind of what i would call gout. My right wrist was locked in sever pain. So was my left hip and ankle. I was in so much pain i didn't know what to do. How i made it driving to dialysis i will never know. Once there i was hooked up and after my four hours still felt the same way. A nurse was in charge of me that day. She kept saying after i was done come on lets go someone else is waiting for the chair. She actually packed my things in haste and walked me out to the waiting room. I was in shock but thought i had better try and drive home. I went out to my truck and just cried from the pain. I called my brother and asked if he could help. He was busy. So i used my right leg for the clutch and gas. I made it home and sat in my truck till i felt i could walk again. As the days passed i started to feel better. The lack of compassion and care i am used to from doctors and nurses. This nurse however after talking with about a year later said to me "Yea, i remember your first day we were told you needed dialysis but weren't insured." She also said with a laugh "I thought you were faking it." Not surprising.

[paddbear0000]

True Story. When i finally succumbed to the fact i had to go back on dialysis my first day there was anything but pleasent. Now i waited till my creatine was 10.3. I remember waking up and finding i couldn't walk. I had some kind of what i would call gout. My right wrist was locked in sever pain. So was my left hip and ankle. I was in so much pain i didn't know what to do. How i made it driving to dialysis i will never know. Once there i was hooked up and after my four hours still felt the same way. A nurse was in charge of me that day. She kept saying after i was done come on lets go someone else is waiting for the chair. She actually packed my things in haste and walked me out to the waiting room. I was in shock but thought i had better try and drive home. I went out to my truck and just cried from the pain. I called my brother and asked if he could help. He was busy. So i used my right leg for the clutch and gas. I made it home and sat in my truck till i felt i could walk again. As the days passed i started to feel better. The lack of compassion and care i am used to from doctors and nurses. This nurse however after talking with about a year later said to me "Yea, i remember your first day we were told you needed dialysis but weren't insured." She also said with a laugh "I thought you were faking it." Not surprising.

Stupid bit**!!! 

[IrishGirl]

She sounds like a real gem. How do these people sleep at night? She laughed? Yes, thats just hilarious to me that someone suffering like that would be treated in that manner. One would hope for some sympathy from the medical staff. Again, there are good ones and bad ones. I have seen both. Your experience sounds like a true and pitiful horror. I can't even imagine being in that much pain and having to go through with the drive and the rest of it. Its amazing. I guess when it boils down to it you find out just how strong you really are. And how pitiful others are. Insurance should not even be an issue as to how you treat a patient. What a horrible, excruciating and awful story. I apologize for the attitude of the nurse and for their treatment of you. I am embarassed to say I am a nurse.

[BigSteve]

In the four month I have been on dialysis I have driven myself. One of the reasons
I choose this unit is that it is only 5 miles from my house. There is not much traffic
going home at 9::00 p.m.

[angela515]

So, you can drive while on dialysis?

WOW.... Very ignorant question.

[flip]

Considering that 90% of the people in my dialysis center don't drive, I wouldn't consider it an ignorant question.

[mark m]

I always drove my self to the clinic and back home. It ever really seemed like a big deal, I have survived by just trying to stay "normal", whatever that means? You will know if you can drive or not just go with how you feel.

[Bajanne]

When I first started, a cousin used to use my vehicle a lot, so I was able to let him take me and bring me back home.  I used to feel totally drained and capable of nothing.
Now, I drive myself to and fro.  In fact now I leave from dialysis to go straight to work at the Tourist Board Information Centre at our airport.

[ndl0520]

When I first started hemodialysis, I had people driving me for the first week.  After that, I started driving myself to the unit.  Usually my dialysis unit will not let me go if there was something wrong with me. Sometimes I would just sit in my chair for about ten minutes before I leave to drive home.

[flip]

Here in Kentucky they won't let you drive home if you are still too drunk after dialysis.

[kitkatz]

Just what are you drinking at dialysis? Good ole Kentucky bourbon! No wonder they don't let you drive home!

[flip]

Believe it or not, we actually have a couple of guys who come in about half drunk on a regular basis. I guess the dialysis sobers them up.

[KT0930]

Believe it or not, we actually have a couple of guys who come in about half drunk on a regular basis. I guess the dialysis sobers them up.

I've heard that it also prevents a hangover...oh wait, that was connecting to the PD cycler after drinking, and I didn't hear it, I learned it! 

[flip]

Actually I have been in a few times with a hangover. Trust me, it is a good cure. Wish I had discovered dialysis sooner.