Does anyone have chronic kidney disease?my husband was diagnosed with ckd stage III. we were just wondering if anyone out there can tell us what to expect during the progression to esrd. as far as symptoms go and how long does it take before you have to go on dialysis? his nephrologist told him 6 months to 2 years, give or take. Just looking for someone with personal experience. Thanks!
Posted by alliecat
I don't have personal experience myself, but I recently finished my nephro rotation for med school and had the time in clinic to talk to a lot of my patients. It sounds like you already know a lot...stage 3 out of 5, and using the lingo of "esrd". The patients I have talked with have generally been in 2 categories: those who followed regularly with their doc and those who did not. With ckd it is easy not feel like following with your doc regularly because really you dont have much for symptoms until you are in stage 5 or are emergently needing dialysis. As people lose their kidney function more though, they start feeling progressively more tired and sluggish. Their ankles swell because their kidney lets protein though into the urine and without protein, the blood cant keep water in the blood vessels as well. Sometimes fluid can get into the lungs from this mechanism as well and the person may cough, feel short of breath, get fatigued after walking a short distance, or get short of breath when lying down. As you know, the problem with ckd is the inability of the body to get rid of toxins, so they build up. Initially these toxins cause stomach problems like nausea (especailly in the morning), vomiting, and diarhea. More severe toxin buildup will cause itching, and finally mental status changes like confusion and sometimes combativeness. These are the problems that result if you DON'T follow with your doctor. If someone with CKD does see their doc regularly and gets their blood and urine checked every few months then in stage 4 (before symptoms really develop) you get your dialysis port placed (AV fistula or graft, following vein mapping). That way, as soon as the kidney function deteriorates to esrd needing dialysis, you can just go in to the center and get started without ever getting all the symptoms I mentioned above. Best of luck to you both...I hope things work out okay for you.
Posted by Sandy C
Check out this forum http://www.davita.com/forum/index.php
There are many people who have gone through this process
Posted by kerrbear
They will use medications and dietary changes to prolong the need for dialysis. He may experience fluid retention, hypertension, general weakness and fatigue, itching. wt. and appetite loss, headache and, nail abnormalities are among some of the symptoms I had. He may become enemic(low hemoglobin) and become short of breath due to the fluid retention. The rate of progression will depend on how well he responds to the medications, dietary changes and his own compliance to his Drs. orders. and also the severity of the illness that caused his kidney disease and the progression of that disease. He may have the option of having a transplant which will greatly increase his qaulity of life and his life expectancy. I've had a transplant and have been on dialyisis the best thing I can tell you is to keep a positve attitude, get plenty of exercise, keep up your wt. and follow your doctors orders. Not only will this extend the time before dialyisis is needed, the outcome of a transplant will be better and recovery time shorter. If he goes on dialysis the effectivness of this treatment will be increased and easier to deal with. Dialysis is no picnic, after dialysis treatments which can take 3 - 5 hours a session can really wipe you out. The best way I can describe how you feel after is it's like having a horrible hangover 3 times a week! The best way I found to overcome this feeling is to force myself to exercise. I used to jump on my stair stepper. Its hard to force yourself to do this, but for me I felt so much better after. I wish the best to the both of you and he is so lucky to have you for support. Your support will be invaluable to him and is health. I was lucky enough to have the support of a wonderful husband and family. My brother-in-law gave me the gift of life, a new kidney.
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