Missing an appointment

[Riverrat]

I am traveling and had an anxiety attack after only about 30 mins on.  I am worried about trying this clinic again, but it’s 2 more day (4) day total before I get back to my home clinic.  How dangerous is it to go 4 day between treatments? 














Sp mod Cas

[kristina]

Hello Riverrat,
It is difficult to answer your question without knowing your current kidney function. I do hope your kidneys are still functioning well enough for you to reach your home-clinic without too much trouble. Could you analyze why you experienced this anxiety attack?  Was it connected to the people working at that dialysis-center? Could you perhaps try and get yourself into a very calm mental state and then perhaps try this dialysis-center again in order to get your blood cleaned? Or perhaps there is another dialysis-center at this town you are at the moment and perhaps this time you could have better luck?
I do hope things go alright for you and send you my best wishes from Kristina.

[cassandra]

If you plan, and just don't eat anything, don't drink anything for 4 days, you would probably be okay, but feel horrible and hungry, and have too low sugar, and problems with your stomach when taking meds. If it is the staff that makes you anxious, talk to them.


Good luck, Cas

[iolaire]

As someone who enjoyed traveling on dialysis I would be worried of the physiological effect on future travel of skipping a treatment out of town. Would that mean you are worried about leaving home again? 

[kitkatz]

I travel at least once a year out of my area and end up in new centers a lot.  I have found most of them are pretty much the same.  I expect good care and usually have gotten good care.  As long as the treatment is good, anxiety can be dealt with as you are on.  I have anxiety sometimes on dialysis, too. 
Find those tips for calming your anxiety and use them regularly so they become part of your routine, then when you are out of town you can use them.

[Charlie B53]

While there can be many different causes for anxiety attacks, figuring out what the cause of this attack may be most beneficial in heading off a repeat episode.

Skipping treatment is NOT recommended.  No matter how well you try to limit your diet and fluid intake you can very easily become over-burdened with toxins and/or fluids necessatating extra treatment in addition to your normal schedule.

Identify the cause of your anxiety and see if you can find a method to deal with it.

I am so needle-phobic my blood pressure rises way too  high prior to getting stuck at every treatment so I take a Zanax an hour before I go in.  I don't notice the med at all.  I don't 'feel' any different.  It does make a 30 point difference in my BP so it must be working for me.

I suggest you talk with your Dr about these anxiety attacks.  Ask if these attacks are frequent enough that you may need medication on treatment days only.

[GA_DAWG]

One of the ladies who sits across from me takes a Zanax for anxiety before each treatment. She reminds the techs to let her know about 30 minutes before they are going to call her so she can take it.

[Mr Ken]

I am traveling and had an anxiety attack after only about 30 mins on.  I am worried about trying this clinic again, but it’s 2 more day (4) day total before I get back to my home clinic.  How dangerous is it to go 4 day between treatments?

If you are considered on a transplant list this may not be a good move. I would try going back and explain to the nurse about anxiety issues.. Skipping is not a good idea. 4 days you might see some bad side affects from not going.... Fluid builds up quickly.

ken


Edited: Quote tag error-kitkatz-Admin
Sp mod Cas

[enginist]

Will your doctor prescribe a benzo?  He could call in a prescription to any pharmacy in your area.