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Kidney Dialysis
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roundballkid posted:
My wife is trying to keep it together while going to dialysis 3X a week, and working as a RN the other 4X a week.
Lately she has been suffering from exhaustion (not surprising), cramps at the fistula site and in her arm, and depression.
Can anyone offer some insight or hope? Is this all worth it is the question she keeps asking me.
And this is from a woman who has been successfully fighting cancer for over 20 years...
Tim
2 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Kidney DialysisMy wife is trying to keep it together while going to dialysis 3X a week, and working as a RN the other 4X a week.<br />Lately she has been suffering from exhaustion (not surprising), cramps at the fistula site and in her arm, and depression.<br />Can anyone offer some insight or hope? Is this all worth it is the question she keeps asking me.<br />And this is from a woman who has been successfully fighting cancer for over 20 years...<br />Tim
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John-SKPT responded:
How long has she been on hemodialysis? I can tell you from personal experience that the first few months are really rough, but it got easier for me after a while.

She may also need to confront the reality of further reducing her work schedule.

One additional option that might be a long shot but is possible: home hemodialysis. It can be done in the time off at home. And while Medicare and most insurance will only pay for the materials for 3X week treatment, I have known a few patients who paid for extra supplies and--in conjunction with their doctors, did the procedure 5 or 6 days/week.

This may sound nutty, but think about it: more frequent, less drastic sessions heep irea levels, electrolyte level, fluid balance, and toxin load at better, more normal, less abusive levels. I cite several journal articles, but start with

"In Search of Ideal Hemodialysis: Is Prolonged Frequent Dialysis the Answer?"

Dominic S.C. Raj, MD, DM, Bernard Charra, MD, Andreas Pierratos, MD, and Jack Work, MD



American Journal Of Kidney Diseases v34#4


If she can't get an online copy at her hospital, or the nephrologist, I can email a copy of the whole highly technical shebang. Probably find an abstract online, but if you have the time to invest, the article is very interesting.
Report This| Share this:Kidney DialysisHow long has she been on hemodialysis? I can tell you from personal experience that the first few months are really rough, but it got easier for me after a while.<br /><br />She may also need to confront the reality of further reducing her work schedule.<br /><br />One additional option that might be a long shot but is possible: home hemodialysis. It can be done in the time off at home. And while Medicare and most insurance will only pay for the materials for 3X week treatment, I have known a few patients who paid for extra supplies and--in conjunction with their doctors, did the procedure 5 or 6 days/week.<br /><br />This may sound nutty, but think about it: more frequent, less drastic sessions heep irea levels, electrolyte level, fluid balance, and toxin load at better, more normal, less abusive levels. I cite several journal articles, but start with <br /><br />"In Search of Ideal Hemodialysis: Is Prolonged Frequent Dialysis the Answer?"<br /> <br />Dominic S.C. Raj, MD, DM, Bernard Charra, MD, Andreas Pierratos, MD, and Jack Work, MD<br /><br /><br /> <br />American Journal Of Kidney Diseases v34#4<br /><br /><br />If she can't get an online copy at her hospital, or the nephrologist, I can email a copy of the whole highly technical shebang. Probably find an abstract online, but if you have the time to invest, the article is very interesting.
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roundballkid replied to John-SKPT's response:
Just got back to the computer. Thank you for your response. Will talk with wife about this today. tpk.
Report This| Share this:Kidney DialysisJust got back to the computer. Thank you for your response. Will talk with wife about this today. tpk.
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