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Otherwise: kidney dialysis

• Message 1. 

  Posted by dondy (U3463640) on Sunday, 9th May 2010

  I wasn't sure where to start this thread, and thought TVH might be best.
  
  It looks like my Dad may have to go onto dialysis for chronic kidney failure. He has various other health problems, so not sure what his options will be.
  
  However, I do know there are different types of dialysis (from OH's limited knowledge plus a bit of internet searching) and wondered if anyone in ML had any practical advice/experience of the pro and cons of different types. This might help if Dad does have a choice of which way to go.
  
  Thanks
  
  dondy (worried)

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by ThisLizzie (U5294918) on Sunday, 9th May 2010

  dondy b,
  
  Sorry to hear about your dad, hope all goes well for him. Can't help with dialysis or anything related to it but an 'otherwise' thread here should soon have postings from concerned MLs who can help.
  
  Try not to worry too much.
  
  Liz

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by tinyclanger (U5462835) on Sunday, 9th May 2010

  Hello dondy b - sorry to read that your father is facing dialysis.
  
  I don't have personal experience but I remember very well that my mum did not enjoy haemo dialysis at all - she suffered with low blood pressure and felt poorly . . . can remember sitting with her during some sessions and she wasn't happy, however, she embraced CAPD - found it manageable and felt really well on it.
  
  This was a long time ago and I am sure that some people get on fine with haemo. The CAPD looks like a lot of fuss but once into a routine it is doable. I seem to remember that the supplies could be sent to alternative venues for holidays etc. and days out just need a bit of planning.
  
  Best wishes, t.c

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by Oz (U6102444) on Monday, 10th May 2010

  hi
  
  I used to work in an acute renal unit a while ago.
  
  As TC has said CAPD is an effective way to treat kidney failure and there are dozens of easy to use systems on the market all very efficient.
  Haemodialysis is the most well know management method and will probably mean that he will need some vascular surgery to build a site for the needles.
  Whatever system used has it's positives and negatives. Haemo means that he will probably need hooked up three times a week for about 3 or 4 hours a time. I used to have a lot of patients who quite liked this "down time" to read or catch up on work or simply sleep. However it can be wearing and does restrict what you do and when.
  CAPD is Continuous as it says on the tin but can be managed at home with support from the nursing staff in the community or for just short periods at the hospital.
  Take a notebook and ask lots of questions.
  If there are any specifics then post again.
  Oh yes
  His diet will need careful tweaking as he will need to restrict his fluid and protein intake.
  Again all of this will be fully explained by the renal staff.
  Oz
  

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by dondy (U3463640) on Monday, 10th May 2010

  Thanks everyone for your answers. ML is so good as times likie this.
  
  Oz, you are right about the notebook and asking lots of questions.
  
  Hope we will hear more today. OH knows how to negotiate the health system (as an insider) but this is not his "specialist subject".
  
  Also Dad's health is so complicated that we often find that the best solution is not available to him. Hope his dialysis options are not restricted.
  
  Thanks again all.
  
  dondy

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by Wallasey (U14313042) on Monday, 10th May 2010

  My mother was on haemodialysis for the last few months of her life (she had a cancer of the bone marrow which destroyed her kidney function).
  
  At the time - this is 2003 - we were told that it was possible to go from CAPD to haemodialysis but not the other way round.
  
  Otherwise, I agree entirely with the advice that you and your father need to think carefully and find a workable solution. I can't really say much about which is least difficult for the patient, as my mother was so ill by then that the dialysis was not really a big issue. As a practical point, however, haemodialysis will be easier to cope with if your father lives near the hospital and has someone to take him to and from (if you have to depend on the hospital's transport there is likely to be a good deal of hanging about). Also, think about getting him his own wheelchair and someone to push it - the hospital where my mother was wouldn't let the patients walk immediately afterwards and porters were in short supply, causing much more hanging about.

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 6.

  Posted by Lindfield (U11070610) on Monday, 10th May 2010

  Hi Dondy,
  
  Sorry to hear your Pa is so unwell.
  
  My OH was on haemodialysis for two years before a transplant 5 years ago.
  
  I'm not going to launch into a long explanation of his experience (which was as good as something like that can possibly be btw) because i am aware that the circumstances are very different and so it probably wouldn't be particularly useful to you.
  
  However, just to let you know i will keep checking this thread so if you do think of any questions he (or i) could answer, just shout.

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• Message 8

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  Posted by dondy (U3463640) on Monday, 10th May 2010

  Thanks again for all the advice. Sorry to hear so many people have been through this.
  
  Dad seen by a different renal specialist today (one he saw yesterday shbould not have been there, long story).
  
  This one is saying he might end up on dialysis, but they want to look at other options first. However someone from the dialysis team is due to come to see him to discuss the dialysis options in any case.
  
  In the meantime they've had to stop his rheumatoid arthritis medication as his kidney function is poor (though slightly better today than Saturday).
  
  Watch this space I guess...
  
  dondy

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• Message 9

  , in reply to message 8.

  Posted by Oz (U6102444) on Tuesday, 11th May 2010

  Hi Dondy
  
  I hope you have made a list of questions for the consultant/ team whatever.
  I have just posted on the Cancer thread about the tricky nature of other conditions impeding on current treatments . So perhaps look at all his currents meds and ask about those too plus of course any further medication he may be prescribed.
  
  You may find this useful
  
  
  Oz
  

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• Message 10

  , in reply to message 9.

  Posted by dondy (U3463640) on Thursday, 13th May 2010

  Thanks Oz. The link looks useful. OH is making contact with the renal team. This should help, as he can do medic-speak, and is likely to be taken more seriously than the rest of us.
  
  Dad had a visit from someone talking about dialysis. This bloke managed to make both parents feel very depressed about the whole thing, but we have since found out that this bloke has a reputation for giving the doom and gloom options only. OH plans to get a more rounded picture of things - fingers crossed.
  
  The tricky thing is that the medics tend to see patients outside visiting hours, so it's unlikely that I will be there when they do rounds. Dad is quite capable of asking questions (he wd prob tell me off if he knew about this thread!) but there's a lot to take in when you are feeling unwell.
  
  Good news it that the vascular people have found no problems on their side, and the problem he was admitted for (not the kidney thing !) is a hangover from earlier heart attack and is now being treated appropriately (we hope.)
  
  dondy

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• Message 11

  , in reply to message 10.

  Posted by dondy (U3463640) on Friday, 14th May 2010

  Well, Dad coming home today. Kidney specialist says that dilysis is inevtiable but we are still a way off (totally different from the previous bloke's assessment.)
  
  The other problem for which he was originally admitted is still there, but this manifestation of it should improve slowly (hope so, as it's pretty life limiting at present.)
  
  Now we need to sort out an alternative rheumatoid arthritis treatment, and then make the most of things while he's still relatively well.
  
  Thanks to everyone for their advice, links etc. ML can always be relied upon in these situations.
  
  dondy

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• Message 12

  , in reply to message 11.

  Posted by tinyclanger (U5462835) on Friday, 14th May 2010

  hello dondy - glad to read that your father is home and that the need for dialysis is not imminent. Wishing him well for ongoing recovery of good quality of life.
  
  I read that you were on the look-out for alternative help for rheumatoid arthritis and thought you might be interested to read this (rheumatoid arthritis is mentioned a way down the article).
  
  best wishes, t.c

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• Message 13

  , in reply to message 11.

  Posted by Lindfield (U11070610) on Friday, 14th May 2010

  Hi Dondy,
  
  That sounds like positive news overall.
  
  My one nugget of advice at this stage would be to (if at all possible) choose a renal specialist your Dad feels comfortable with. It's going to be a life-long relationship whatever happens and if he ends up with someone who doesn't have a similar outlook it could be quite difficult.
  
  At the hospital OH had his dialysis in there was a doom and gloom merchant who told everyone off for drinking too much/ eating the wrong things and one who was more like the entertainments director on a cruise ship! Needless to say OH has stuck with cruise ship director and done very well. He wouldn't have coped with doom and glooms regime although others love him.
  
  Horses for courses.

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• Message 14

  , in reply to message 13.

  Posted by dondy (U3463640) on Friday, 14th May 2010

  Thanks tc and LL for your best wishes and advice.
  
  The link looks interesting, tc. Will pass it on to my Mum as she is good at persuading Dad to take on new treatments !
  
  LL, you are so right about needing a good relationship with the specialist. The consultant he has now seems good, and took on board what Dad said about the dialysis chap (mainly because he's not the first one to say something similar !)
  
  dondy

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