New member

[Mcelgunn]

Hi everyone. I first want to thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences. My husband started dialysis a year ago and is hoping for a transplant. I joined the group to gain insight on supporting him in his journey, which for him is emotionally taxing.  Also I joined for support for me to understand what he is feeling. Even though I am a nurse, I have learned the patient is the best source of information. I hope to learn from you what is the best way I can help him and to keep myself from going crazy. God bless you all and thank you. Mary

[iolaire]

Welcome to the group.

[cassandra]

Welcome to the site Mary, I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for.


Keep taking care, Cas

[Charlie B53]

Hi Mary and Welcome to IHD!

We have a number of caregiver members here much for the same reason, to learn how to better support their loved one to manage treatment.

His diet and fluid control is critical to preventing excessive exhaustion and cramping from having to take off suck large volumes of water during treatments.

This is most likely the hardest leasson to learn as so many of us have such thirst it is very difficult to control.

For me, I use a Lifesaver, they really help stilulate saliva and wet my mouth and throat.  A single small ice cube can work for a while.  When I do give in and drink it is most often only a single mouthful of ice water, set the small glass down and get out of the kitchen.  Otherwise I am tempted to take another mouthful, and there are those time that I do.

Wet foods, soups and steamed veggies add up in the fluids rapidly.  Pretty much the same with med-rare meats.  There is a lot of water hidden in meats, and fish.  It all needs to be considered in our daily intake.

Smaller people these fluids add up quicker when you figure as a 5 of body weight.  I am 200 lbs, 3 liters are about the max I can allow to be taken off or my legs begin to cramp, and cramp again almost every 2 hours in my sleep.  Which makes me have to immediately get up and walk to make them relax so I can go back to bed, only to cramp within the next 2 hours asleep.  So you can see why I try so hard to stay well under a 3 Liter gain between treatments.

It ain't always so easy, but the tougher I am with myself the easier treatments are later.

Any questions or thoughts Please be sure to make more postingsd.

We are here for you Both!

Take Care,

Charlie B53

[justagirl2325]

Welcome, I am my husbands former care partner he was on dialysis 3.5 years but had a transplant 1.5 years ago.