My mother has kidney failure and has dialysis 3 times a week. Is it enough or will she end up on a wheelchair?I am asking because recently I have heard about lots of people with the same disease, ending up on a wheelchair or being on a very bad state. Those people where all over 60 and my mom is only 39.
They say that she can go on living normally with the dialysis but I am worried because of the other cases I have seen. Will she stop walking or develop anything bad, other than what she already has?
Posted by Allison
I went on dialysis at age 45. I did very well with it; I think it is because I was compliant with my treatment. I never missed a session; I took all my medicine; I followed the diet. I followed instructions regarding the care of the arm with the dialysis access in it. I also prayed a lot and others prayed for me.
I had walked 2 miles the day I got called for my transplant. I was Type 1 diabetic , with coronary artery disease from diabetes too.
While not everyone has the same results I had, I did want to give you an example of a good outcome. Please feel free to email me through the link on my "picture" if you have more questions, and see my suggested links below
Posted by jamie_elm
In the dialysis facility you may be exposed to all types of situations (behavioral and otherwise) that are uncomfortable - it is truly a different world. Each patient has a different situation. There are health conditions like diabetes and vascular disease that put people at risk to have amputations. Like the previous answer states, it is important to follow the instructions of the doctor carefully. Although this is not you, it is your mom, you can be supportive and be a resource to her.
Also, check into your options including transplant, home hemodialysis (with the same machine, but done at home sometimes with a helper), peritoneal dialysis (done at home by yourself through a tube placed in the abdominal area), and nocturnal dialysis (done in a treatment facility at night).
Get as much information as you can - bring your list of questions to the doctor in case you get overwhelmed. There are sometimes support groups for dialysis patients/family members, usually held in area hospitals. Also the davita website explains caring for oneself while on dialysis - www.davita.com
Posted by fenellaribena
Woah! Calm down!
I can't give you a definite answer to how your mom's disease is going to progress. Nobody can. Not even the doctors.
I am assuming that your mom is on a Transplant List? You need to find out if she is, and if she isn't - ask the doctors why not.
Your mom can stay on dialysis and she will be well. You need to make sure that she takes her medication, that she keeps her hospital appointments, that she sticks to any dietary restrictions she has, and that she takes all the necessary steps to look after herself (like telling the doctor when she doesn't feel very well)
If your mom is on the Transplant list, at some point she will get a new kidney. It's a bit frightening at first and she'll need an operation (obviously) but if it all goes well - and it usually does, you will notice a huge difference in her. She won't need to have dialysis any more and she will have her old energy back and be able to eat what she likes (trust me, it's fantastic)
There are lots of complications that can come along with kidney disease (and even after transplant) but the golden rule is "look after yourself". Take your medicines and drugs on time, eat properly and stay well. Speak to the hospital as soon as you feel poorly and don't just think it's something that will pass. Also look after her heart. Exercise and good diet
Nothing you have said gives me any reason to think that your mom is going to end up in a wheelchair. Your mom can have a normal life so don't worry. There is no reason why just because of dialysis she should end up not walking.
If you feel worried about your mom, you should go with her when she goes to the hospital and ask her doctors any questions which you are worried about (make a list so you don't miss any out)
Don't be frightened of them, they are there to help and they should answer any questions you have.
Loads of people go through dialysis, have a transplant and lead perfectly ordinary lives. You have probably walked past them in the street and never given them a second glance. I tell people now about how I did dialysis for four years (it IS hard on dialysis. It's quite normal if your mom is tired and achy - that's what it does to you)
Don't worry about the other people you have seen. They might have all sorts of other problems that mean that things are different for them. It doesn't mean your mom is going to go the same way
I got a transplant last year and I feel great. I will keep fingers crossed that your mom does too.
All the best.
Orignal From: Kidney Disease: My mother has kidney failure and has dialysis 3 times a week. Is it enough or will she end up on a wheelchair?
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