creatinine on dialysis

[Katie07]

Hi, I guess I've still been in denial, that I am in kidney failure. My creatinine has been going up and down for years. My nephrologist finally told me, that I needed to start dialysis a month ago, partly because my creatinine was over 5, and I was feeling pretty terrible, so I started. As I've written, dialysis has been pretty awful. This Monday, they took  off almost 10 pounds ; I was in agony. I asked  my doctor, how could she be so sure, that the 5 wasn't a fluke, and maybe I'm not in kidney failure yet, and maybe, dialysis is not necessary. She told me, that she'd do pre-dialysis creatnine, before my next three sessions. Well, I got yesterday's, and it was 7.2. I guess, I have to accept that I am in kidney failure. I just don't know what creatinine results while on dialysis mean. Do they mean anything? Shouldn't they be going down, because of dialysis? I don't really know what I'm asking, but if anyone can explain it to me, I would appreciate it. Thank you.       

[iolaire]

I can not explain it but I can give an example.  My last creatinine pre transplant taken in the AM after an 3 pm dialysis session the night before was 6.2.  So it would have been higher in by some factor by the time I went back to dialysis the next day.  This was 3.5 years after starting dialysis.

[justagirl2325]

They can do blood tests pre and post a single dialysis session to see how effective dialysis is for you.   It should go down right after dialysis as dialysis is cleaning your blood.  But then since you don't have good kidney function it start to go up after dialysis and will continue to rise until the next dialysis session.

Some people do alright with dialysis 3 times a week, some people need more. 

Iolaire to compare my husband's number pre transplant was 877 (Canadian which equates to 9.9 American).  It was as high as it was when he was first diagnosed with kidney failure (same 3.5 years of dialysis).

[Simon Dog]

Effectiveness is measured by comparing BUN before and after D, and calculating a URR (Urea reduction ratio).   The URR goal for in-center hemo is 65% or 70% (forget which).  The URR goal is lower for more frequent hemo, so NxStage patients can see URRs in the 40%s and still be fine.   I generally run about 46% URR, and still at least 20% over goal on dialysis.












Sp mod Cas

[Rerun]

Normal Creatinine in the U.S. is usually .5 to 1.5.   So predialysys they watch your ceatinine, BUN and your Potassium.   Once your start dialysis they forget about the Creatinine and instead look at Potassium, Phosphorous, and KT/V (clearance) 

I LOVE that you questioned them on if you REALLY need dialysis.  It does happen.  And you do wonder sometimes maybe your kidneys have kicked back in especially if you are urinating.  I have not peed in 15 years so I am not questioning them anymore.  I'm just praying for a miracle!!!

This takes time to accept.  Remember to live one day at a time.