creatinine and phos --do they affect cognitive abilities?

[jadey]

I am starting to think that my CKD is causing me to not do as well on my exams. My creatinine has always been high... never went down even after dialysis (currently 926). My phos is still high.. I think it's 2.2. Would values like these impair my ability to think critically and be able to think clearly?

What if it is really the toxins that are going to stop me from doing what I want? Does anyone have any knowledge about this?

[okarol]

My daughter had a lot of trouble concentrating while on dialysis. I always assumed it was due to being slightly uremic and borderline anemic.
http://www.aakp.org/aakp-library/anemia-kidney-disease/index.cfm

[jbeany]

Yes, it will make it harder to think clearly.  I'm not sure about the phos, but the toxins that come from kidney failure, definitely.  The mental clarity that returns with a transplant is a noticeable difference.

It doesn't mean you can't pass and can't still accomplish things.  You just have to make sure you are careful to get enough rest and to try to only do homework and studying when you are at your mental best, whenever that is for you.  I was always a night person - some people need to only work on mentally fatiguing things in the morning.   All nighters are not really an option if you want to work up to your pre-ESRD levels.

[SugarBear]

I agree dialysis does make studying very difficult.  I received my Bachelors of Science degree in 2010 while I was on dialysis and it was very difficult to accomplish.  I knew I had to stop studying when I would read the same paragraph a few times and could not comprehend what I was reading.  I had to pick my moments when I could get school work done and when I couldn't.

There were times I had to accept I was not going to get a high grade, like an A, in a class because of my diseases.  I had to learn to choose my battles to have a balance between my illnesses and school, that was the only way it would work for me.  I hope you find what works for you jadey and I wish you great success. 

[jadey]

i appreciate everyone's feedback. Although it makes me extremely sad.. I'm no longer trying to aim for excellent grades because I recently graduated and got my bachelor's of science. However I am writing a huge exam (the MCAT) in 3 weeks and I NEED to be able to concentrate at my fullest. I've been trying at it for a few years now and I can fully suspect that its not my lack of trying but the reality of all the toxins in my body that inhibit me from concentrating 100%. According to my neph.. my CKD has been happening for a very long time.. who knows how "long" this might be?

I will be very upset that CKD might be the reason why I will never become a doctor

[jadey]

I knew I had to stop studying when I would read the same paragraph a few times and could not comprehend what I was reading.

I agree with this 100000000%!!!!! this is my major problem right now!!!!!!!!!!! Its been like this for 2 years..

[SugarBear]

MCAT is an extremely hard exam and I see what your problem is.  Trying to store so much information for one exam must be very frustrating.  I wish there was some advice or trick I could offer to assist you on your journey.   

 

[jeannea]

Being on dialysis can definitely affect your brain. I had serious problems concentrating on dialysis to the point where I couldn't read a book for fun anymore. I used to read a book every 3-4 days then nothing. I think it's all the toxins building up. I recently got my transplant and my brain cleared up in about 2 weeks. You can only do what the others suggested. Get your rest, eat right, take your meds. Good luck!

[Grumpy-1]

second to all comments.  Been on D for about 3 years now.  I've noticed a decrease in attention and concentration as well as memory lost.  Like others have said, I need to get all the rest I can before taking on some project, writing a paper for work, etc.   Some times it is very frustrating.  Like Jeannea said, I've read the same paragraph 3 or 4 times and still couldn't remember what I read.  Grumpy

[Cordelia]

Yes, it does affect your ability to think clearly.  I have noticed that my attention span is just not there anymore like it used to be. Something has to be "really" good to keep my attention whether its a book or a tv show, or even a movie, to keep my attention, otherwise, "I'm there, but I'm not REALLY there"       

[MommyChick]

Glad you guys brought up this topic!! Makes me feel a little better.
I just thought maybe my mind was slowly going but after 7 yrs on dialysis, maybe not

[jadey]

I talked to my nurse today over the phone and she did tell me that being uremic will affect my ability to concentrate. Since my creatinine is so high, and it doesn't seem to move down.. she suggested that I do more dialysis. Since I am on PD, I will do an additional twin bag on top of the 9 hours of cycling over night.

Gonna do whatever I can to lower the creatinine...

I heard that hemo patients can significantly lower their creatinine after one treatment.. but it doesn't work that way for PD

thank you for all your comments. at the same time I'm glad that I'm not getting any "dumber" haha

[Grumpy-1]

Hey MommyChick   Yes your mind is slowing going away.     Grumpy     

[MommyChick]

Hey MommyChick   Yes your mind is slowing going away.     Grumpy     

Your probably right, hahaha

[Cordelia]

I talked to my nurse today over the phone and she did tell me that being uremic will affect my ability to concentrate. Since my creatinine is so high, and it doesn't seem to move down.. she suggested that I do more dialysis. Since I am on PD, I will do an additional twin bag on top of the 9 hours of cycling over night.

Gonna do whatever I can to lower the creatinine...

I heard that hemo patients can significantly lower their creatinine after one treatment.. but it doesn't work that way for PD

thank you for all your comments. at the same time I'm glad that I'm not getting any "dumber" haha

I wish my creatinine would lower. Even though I dialyze three times a week, for 3.5 hrs at a time, mine is still high. Its about 800.  I would have thought doing PD daily would lower that. You're saying it doesn't? 

I have neuropathy in my feet because of the toxins still 'floating' around in my body. I was told until I have a transplant, I'm stuck with the chronic pain of having too much toxins in the body.

[cassandra]

I'm sorry all, I don't have any positive contribution, but am positive you'll be doing well. The extra exchange would very well help a bit.

lots, and lots of luck

Cas

[Joe]

jadey, I do an extra 2L bag in the afternoon before I hook up to my cycler for the night. And I come off with 1.5L that I let dwell for 3 hours before I drain it in the morning. All in all, my levels are pretty good and my Kt/V was 2.0 at my last adequacy. Adding the extra bag during the day will help. Program your cycler so it does an initial drain before going into your first fill and you should be fine.

Good luck.

[jadey]

I wish my creatinine would lower. Even though I dialyze three times a week, for 3.5 hrs at a time, mine is still high. Its about 800.  I would have thought doing PD daily would lower that. You're saying it doesn't? 

I have neuropathy in my feet because of the toxins still 'floating' around in my body. I was told until I have a transplant, I'm stuck with the chronic pain of having too much toxins in the body.

For me, PD definitely does not lower my creatinine. My creatinine was around 800 before I started dialysis about 8 months ago.. and now it is at 900. It jumps between 700 and 900 for the last few months.

[SugarBear]

Trice weekly in-center dialysis, PD, and short daily hemo only keep patients at Stage 4 CKD clearance. 
Nocturnal home hemo-dialysis five or more nights per week controls phosphorus and fluid, and provides the patient with a Stage 3 CKD clearance providing a better quality of life.

[kitkatz]

I have to write things down at work or else they will not get done.  Also my patience with adults had been nil lately.  The kids are cool, adults can make me crazy!