hypothetical for those on dialysis

[Jonndad]

If you could turn back the clock to a time before you had to go on dialysis and there was a way you could totally avoid dialysis IF you agreed to eat nothing for the rest of your life and drink ONLY water would you do it.  Your nourishment would come from being fed intravenously.  Of course this is a hypothetical but I have a keen interest in what your response would be.  I'll elaborate more in my future posts but anyone willing to take a stab at this one?  tx, John






EDITED:Fixed spelling in topic title error-kitkatz,moderator

[jbeany]

Oh, I couldn't do it.  I'm too much of a foodie.  Life without chocolate, cheese, fruit, milk - not a chance!

[TynyWonder]

Oh, I couldn't do it & too imagine being hooked up to an IV all the time!!!  I hate IVs as it is!!!     

[Zach]

Life is too good as is.

[silverhead]

Give up a really great GREASY Cheeseburger and fries for a tube in the arm or elsewhere - sorry, ain't gonna happen......

[Joe Paul]

Nope, drinking water, and  being fed through a IV wouldn't stop the hunger pains.

[RichardMEL]

I don't think I would.

My reason is simple. Life is for living and what sort of a life would it be being fed by IV and only drinking water? Even if it staved off Dialysis... for me one of the joys of life is actually *experiencing* it... and that includes stuff like travelling, cuddling and yes, eating and drinking.... and quite honestly I'd feel so much would be lost that it wouldn't be worth it. I mean we had birthday cake at dialysis today (mmmm fresh whipped cream!!! YUM!)... It might seem a bit silly, but sometimes it *is* about life's simple pleasures... which can include a much anticipated cheeseburger, cup of tea or piece of chocolate cake.

It's like right now the dieticians tell me I should have more of X and less of Y.. and I do my best to fit in but God Damnit I also want to LIVE and if that means being a bit naughty and having that cheeseburger when perhaps I shouldn't... I'd rather enjoy what time I have left (because who knows?) than exist doing things I don't want/like. Everything within reason of course...

So anyway no, I couldn't do that. Dialysis totally sucks, not not enjoying the tastes and sensations of foods and ONLY drinking water and missing out on some of those simple pleasures like juice, coffee, tea, coke, beer, etc... nope.. that would suck more IMHO.

[cherpep]

It would depend.  If I'm just trading one needle for another, probably not.  How often would I need the IV?  If it's as often as I need dialysis, or more frequently - than no.  If it is less frequently, and I would have more energy and not so sick to my stomach - then yes.  What about costs?  If it is considerably less, than I would take a look at it.  Would I have less doctor appointments or hospital stays?  Then yes.

I can't say that I would not consider it.  It would depend on the whole picture.

[idahospud]

I  not life is not abut crossing the finish line in perfect shape but to in joy the ride along the way at lest to me it is   Carol

[Jonndad]

Thanks so much for your responses for far.  They are invaluable and critical to what I am trying to do with my own CKD of which I will post much more in the near future.  Please don't put too much emphasis on the "intravenous" part.  I could easily have substituted it with 3 bland drinks per day that would meet all of the body's nutritional needs.  Please keep your responses coming!  John

[Jonndad]

I wanted to emphasize that with my hypothetical a person would never  be hungry at all, they just could not enjoy the pleasure of food.  Ok, nuff said!  tx again, John

[twirl]

I  could not do it----- I can't even follow the renal diet ----- and water is wonderful but I'd want to drink all day long--
even if there were no needles involved, I could not do it and I hate needles --- I would have to be banned for life from every Chinese and Mexican restaurant in the world and then there are hamburgers and well everything....... could not do it and that would be murder on holidays and
birthdays and so on and so on
I'd be a worse failure at this than I am now
sorry
Twirl
ps  ---- I usually do not eat b/c I am hungry--I eat b/c I like to eat

[monrein]

I LOVE to eat but if I could give up all my foodie fantasies and pleasure from food in exchange for taking in a nutritional drink that would keep my body feeling really healthy and no need for dialysis, and all my pre ESRD energy and gave me back my mental sharpness in total, I wouldn't hesitate for a moment.  I'd start working again, I'd make big meals for all my family and friends, I'd garden myself into the ground and I think I'd go to the gym for a full two and a half hours like I used to for the sheer serotonin of it.  Ahh, bring it on.

I'd definitely not be signing up for being on intravenous 24/7 though.  Gardening etc would be hell with a pole, an iv and a bag of saline, no matter how nutritious it were.

[peleroja]

For me, the answer is no.  I absolutely hate IVs.  Now, if I could turn the clock back to when I was first diagnosed with high blood pressure (which I chose to ignore), I would definitely do that.  Oh, yeah, and exercise and eat properly and lose whatever excess weight I had.

[Razman]

"3 bland drinks a day"  instead of dialysis would be no problem for me.   I  sometimes work 14 hour days and never stop to eat.

[monrein]

"3 bland drinks a day"  instead of dialysis would be no problem for me.   I  sometimes work 14 hour days and never stop to eat.

Now Dave, you know that's not a good thing and I want to be the first to chastise you here about that.  Mind you, you've done such a good job of staving off dialysis for so long, maybe I'm the crazy one.

[Zach]

The fact is, that when a person manages the renal diet well, they can eat almost anything they want.
It's about portion control and knowing the phosphorus /potassium of what you are eating.

Information = Empowerment = A long, healthy, enjoyable life.

[Run8]

No way, I would not want to be hooked up to a darn I.V. 24/7 that would suck. As far as turning back the hands of time, I would not to do that either. My past is what makes me who I am today, and going back in time would mean that I don't like who I am and that I have failed in some way. So, no I would not change a thing.

[twirl]

The fact is, that when a person manages the renal diet well, they can eat almost anything they want.
It's about portion control and knowing the phosphorus /potassium of what you are eating.

Information = Empowerment = A long, healthy, enjoyable life.

Zach    you are so right

[cherpep]

If I could turn back time, give up food, and replace it with 3 drinks a day, and never go through these symptoms and dialysis - I would do it in a heartbeat.  I couldn't sign up for it fast enough!!

[Sunny]

I am pre-dialysis. I am doing everything within my knowledge to adjust my diet and fluid intake to avoid dialysis as long as possible. Would I take the fluid instead of food if it meant no dialysis?  YES! Absolutely! Where do I sign up? (Would this mean I still have to cook for my family?)

[Ang]

nope,no  more need be  said

[G-Ma]

What Zach and RM said.....I want to continue doing as good as I am the way I am.

[BRANDY]

I was very surprised at the response to the  question.   I know from your posts  sialysis is a hard thing to have to endure but I couldnt believe what I just read  everyone would  do the foood instead of water   SO  dialysis is a good thing  great to hear this   Im not meaning to take it lightly but looking at it diffrently

[Adam_W]

Hmm. No food or dialysis, eh? Gee, dialysis isn't THAT bad. I could never give up food and drink only water the rest of my life.

Adam