Dialysis Support Group

I am a spouse of a home dialysis patient. He has been on home dialysis for about a year. Oh the mood swings that come with being on dialysis. Seems like the spouse receives all of the good days moods and the bad days moods. He also received a mechanical valve before his dialysis started. Any suggestions from anyone about how to cope? Feeling so alone in this situation.:

Post edited by: alexanderd, at: 03/19/2012 08:37 AM

As someone who was on dialysis for four years, I can only comment on the patient side of things. Looking back, and realizing all my soon to be ex-husband had to go through, I know it wasn't easy for him just as it wasn't easy for me.

Speaking from the patient side of things and someone who had a whole lot of problems with dialysis, and I did Peritoneal Dialysis at home, it was hard to go from being able to work and go to school, to feeling like the walking dead, literally. Many days, I felt so bad, I simply prayed to die, and be put out of my misery. And when you are suffering from a chronic illness it is hard to see how it affects others, because sometimes all you can see is what is going on with you.

Will keep you in my prayers, and if you need to talk, message me anytime.

alexanderd,

I'm not sure I can offer advice, but I can certainly empathize. It is diffuclt to be the spouse of a dialysis patient. I often feel angry, sad and helpless, and I feel that I can't complain because his life is so much worse. My husband has been on PD for over two years. He has slowly gotten worse, and that will continue, so the helplessness is the most difficult. He is approved for a transplant, but the cadaver wait is about three more years and there are no willing live donors who match. A paired donation is possible, but there currently are no matches for him in that pool.

I do my best to stay positive. Some days that is very difficult, especially if he is having a really bad day emotionally or physically. I read as much as possible about the disease, transplants and PD mostly to understand better but also for the rare find on some sort of relief for his symptoms (itching , nausea, etc).

It is very important for you to stay healthy emptionally and physically. Have your own outlets for blowing off steam: running, spending a little time with girlfriends... It is so great if you can find a freind who will listen. It is difficult, as many people do not understand.

Is your husband waiting for a transplant? Was he sick before dialysis?

Srcd23,

Thanks so much for your comments. Yes, my husband was sick before the dialysis. He had a mechanical valve and a double bypass before his kidneys failed him. He has had diabetes for years. He has been on the transplant list for 18 months. Our living donor matched up until the last test. I really appreciate your comments. I have some health issues myself but they seem minor compared to the health issues that my husband has. Thanks again for your comments. Will pray you and your husband.