hospitalization to begin dialysis?

[Tracy]

I am new to this site.  I was told yesterday by my Neph that in order to begin dialysis, I would have to be in the hospital for at least 3-5 days.  I haven't heard this before.  I thought you went to a center and just started slowly on D.  This has been a scary road for me.  I have been reading this site for about 3 months and just now have the courage to write.  I need support from people who know exactly what I am feeling.  Thank you for being here. 
 

[monrein]

    Tracy.  I hope you'll find the support and information that you need here.  I don't fully understand either why your neph wants you in hospital for 3-5 days unless there are some other issues going on..are you starting on an emergency basis?  Do you live far away from the hospital and are planning to drive yourself?

Please let us know how you make out and if you have any specific questions, feel free to ask.

[Tracy]

The Neph said that is how all patients start dialysis.  Like 2 hours first day and 2.5 next day and 3 next day.  If I do ok on it, then they will release me, but not before the Neph finds me a locatiion to have D and a time slot.  I haven't read about this anywhere in the threads.  I live about 45 min-1hour from a center.

I am not an emergeny case.  I do have diabetes, but I don't thiink that would be why...or could it?

I have learned a ton from this site so far!!  Thank you!

[Epofriend]

7 1/2 years ago, that is how I started after a gradual decline in my kidney function. Do you have an access yet? I didn't. While in the hospital, a neck catheter was placed, I had my first three dialysis sessions and a graft was placed in my arm. Then I was released with a time and place for my in-center treatments.

That seems to be pretty standard... or perhaps pretty standard for those that don't have established accesses.

Epofriend

(just checked your signature and see that you have a brand new fistula... hopefully it will mature before you need to start dialysis)

[Chris]

Tracey, one thought is with the diabetes also it would be also precautionary to see how your body does reacting to dialysis and adjusting the settings of the dialysis machine to best suit you. I on the other hand went to the ER for severe hypoglycemia and found out I had renal failure, a double whammy of that day and ended up staying for a month because my body didn't react well and also complications with the diabetes (extreme lows to extreme highs).
 
Good luck on getting a transplant and finding the answers to your questions.

[MooseMom]

I am about to start dialysis; I am getting my fistula on Monday and hopefully it will be mature before I need to start D.  No one has ever said anything about me having to be hospitalized to start dialysis, which leads me to suspect that you have some other issues that makes your neph want to be extra careful with you.  Everyone's case is different, so it might be an idea to ask your neph why he wants you hospitalized.  I don't think it is standard practice, but it might be the best path in your case.  Let us know what you find out!

[KICKSTART]

Sound exactly like you said .. Your neph needs to find you a unit and a time slot ..so maybe hospital is the only option till that comes up ?

[sullidog]

As I metnioned in your other post my toxins were so hi they wanted me hospitalized, and like your neph said, they'll start you out at 2 hours and go from there, this is how they did me too.
Troy