The timing of going on Dialysis

[Harveyman]

Since I started dialysis bout a month ago it was or has been in the back of mind did Doc jump the gun I mean sure my creatinine was high bout a 6 but everything else was normal I was not exhibiting any of the classic sign of kidney failure I have and still eat like a horse with a tape worm I don't itch and I'm not sick to my stomach and my urr is 80 in fact I still have normal urine output in fact last week I couldn't hold it any longer while in dialysis and filled up a 32oz urinal I don't feel drain after D I feel great before and after and I haven't met my dry since I started always 3-4 kilos off. Thinking a lot of things have to stop typing for now brain is working faster than my fingers

[willowtreewren]

Harveyman,

We did lots of second guessing after my husband started dialysis, too. But if your creatinine was 6 (!!!), you can bet your bottom dollar that your kidneys were not removing the toxins, even if you are still urinating.

My husband never did stop urinating while on dialysis. But after getting his transplant, the it was obvious that the new kidney was working when the creatinine started coming down. It now hovers around 1. When he had his last labs done, it was a nice healthy .96.

Aleta

[Wat76]

Harveyman, you sound like me, my creatnine is high and I feel the same as you. The docs want me on d stat. I will be starting next week to get them off my back. How do you feel.no swelling or itching, I don't know what to do.

[bleija]

yeah, but u gotta think that has to be better than having to start emergency and almost dying and all that good stuff. think of it as it was an easier transition.. i know when i started it never slowed me down, and when i transferred to another clinic they told me i coulda wited to be put on dialysis, in a way im happy i ddnt

[Jean]

Yeah and you also have to think about, what if you dont go on D and overnight something goes wrong and you then end up with a chest catheter. Wouldnt that make you even madder? My friend had no symptoms, not one, and just felt tired, so she went to the Dr. for the first time in 25 years and her GFR was 2!!!!

[MooseMom]

I worried and worried and worried about this very thing for years, and then it came time to get my fistula created.  Now I don't worry about the timing anymore because I figure that when it IS time, I'm ready.  As much as I hated hated hated hated hated hated the idea of having to physically prepare my blood vessels to accomodate stonking great needles, once it was done, I felt reassured and prepared.

They say you "just know" when to start.  If that's not true, well, still I'll be ready.

Jean, I had no idea it was even possible to be alive and have a gfr of 2!  That surely must be some sort of record.

[adairpete]

I was in a similar situation when I started D but I think it also is why I've had a relatively easy time keeping the labs in check.  I have no dietary or fluid restrictions in the 2+ years I've been on D and once I got on PD, things have been going fairly smoothly overall.  I tend to think that this is because I started D before things got too bad and my body got wore down.  I would consider it a proactive step toward maintaining your health.

[lainiepop]

Hmm I don't Know. I had a gfr OF between 8 & 10 From August to 2 weeks ago (creatinine fluctuating between 425 & 55O. I felt fine & all my levels (iron, potassium & phosphorus) were normal. my nephs didn't Want me to go on D (I don't even have a fistula) as my parents were being tested to donate. when it dropped to 8 gfr in March I asked but they said no as transplant was scheduled for end of May  & they'd only dialize if my other Levels were too high. a couple weeks before transplant I was back up to 10 so I'm glad i didn't go on it but had the transplant not been imminent masbe it would've been different. How are you feeling now ? x