Dialysis Support Group

Hi I am new to all this, i am just getting back into my moms life and i need some help understanding some health issues going with her dialysis. Can anyone help me on this? Thanks

Welcome to our group. That is a horribly big question. I would study, on line kidneyschool.org and from there you'll get a very good idea where you are and where you are going.

Any particular question, just fire away.

Best regards

Cicero

Well my main quesiton is about her weight. They are controlling her weight, but she is very thin. She said they tell her she can't gain weight and what she can if she can. She looks like death because of her weight. I am very worried. As seems she has no energy or anything. I am just trying to find out if this normal to control weight to where she is so thin? thanks

The weight control on dialysis is mostly based on fluid and restricting the fluid weight gained. Dialysis is very hard on the body, and when I was on it the first time, I looked deathly ill, at 116 pounds, and had many problems.

They establish a dry weight that they go by when starting dialysis treatment, and they use as a basis for taking fluid off on each dialysis treatment. If a person gains or loses actual body weight, it can result in too much or too little fluid being taken off during treatment, and can cause serious problems. For example, if she gained actual body weight in addition to what fluid the body was holding on to, and her dry weight is charted at 100 pounds. If she goes into the clinic and weighs in at 105 or 106 they would pull that excess all off as fluid retained weight, to get her back down to her normal dry weight. Too much fluid results in dropped blood pressure, cramps, headaches, and nausea. I had a bad time on dialysis, the first go around. The energy levels and other things, has alot to do with the dialysis in general. Some people have a really hard time on it. Feel free to ask away, I will answer what I can and find out what I don't know for you. After dealing with it since high school, and two kidney transplants, I have learned a few things And I went to nursing school the second time I was on dialysis as well.

Kenda gave you a very good answer. Dialysis is not for the weak, it is for the strong, physically and mentally. If your Mom has a chest catheter she is not going to feel much better soon. You/she needs a fistula or a abdominal PD access as soon as possible to get on a healing program.

Sh really needs to watch her diet and fluids and do exactly as they say for the time being. Later she can start to interact and change her treatment program as they tell it to her and she says here's why I want to do it my way. etc.

If at all possible get her a 15-30 minute 3xweek exercise program. That will do wonders to her physical shape, If at all possible get her ionvolved with a group of people who take care of a different group. That'll give her human interaction and also busy her mind and get it off herself.

Good luck and God Bless

Cicero

she has a place on her arm i guess it is that they do it.

You really need to go in with her a time or two just to get a feel for what is going on. Also to ask the nurse/tech how she is dealing with the various parts of dialysis and what can be done to make it better.

How olld is Mom and does she also have High Blood Pressure or Diabetes?

Best regards

Cicero

I plan to do this.. if she will let me.. i have to work my way to this.. as i have been estranged from the family for several reasons for some time now. So it is a slow but trying to move forward she did have high blood pressure that is what got her in this mess and diabetes i am not aware of as of now. thanks

That happens in a lot of families and you never know about it. It has happened in ours and I was upset about it and now just don't care. Its the way it is and we live with it so ther ya go.

Her high BP will continue to be a problem even if she is on dialysis and her dialysis will not be effective unless and until she gets her BP under control and keeps it that way. If she has diabetes the same thing goes. Control it or dialysis is no good. Dialysis is not a death sentence, in fact it can prolong life. BUT, you need to live the right way. diet, fluid, etc just the way its prescribed.

You can expect your mother to be depressed and not about you, about the loss of her kidneys. Nearly everybody is.

Well enough for this installment, more next time.

Best regards

Cicero

I'm so glad that you are here. support is slow. How old is your mom? Do you have high bp that needs care. familys are so screwed up. mine is too. sometimes all it takes is a hug to break the ice.barb