Kidney Patient Guide

I started peritoneal dialysis at eGFR of 9. I was tired and nauseous at this stage. I wasn't desperate to start dialysis but it was viewed a gentle start would keep me able to work, run family etc without me having to become horribly unwell first. I have to say that looking back this approach worked...

I agree with wagolyn. Other questions would be - what is your PTH (parathyroid hormone) level? Increased levels can cause this. Diet. Have you had a particularly high phosphate diet pre test? These results are only very slightly high. I suspect your doctor will just repeat them in the first instance...

What a difficult position to be in. From what you have said I suspect you made the right decision. We all want any new kidney to last as long as possible. Second and third transplants become much trickier matches due to antibodies. I think if my consultant (whom I trust implicitly ) had reservations...

I used to have to lie on my right side for the final drain. The other drains never seemed quite so critical. Sometimes if I was awake (which wasn't often) I would stand up for the final drain. I understood that the ideal machine height was mattress level to 6" lower. I think I read this in the ...

Hi Allenc, Welcome to the forum. The stent mentioned is a small plastic tube inserted between the transplanted kidney and the bladder at the time of the transplant operation. Its job is to keep this connection open while the joins heal. It sits in the ureter and is usually removed at about six weeks...

Hi Demeris, Those values are a little low for someone of your age. As you say lithium may cause such problems. I don't think you need to worry at this precise moment, it is what happens when you change medication that is important. It is rate of change that needs to be considered. The good thing is ...

The flaw in my advice was - I was assuming you were not on dialysis. I can't remember where you are on your renal journey. If you are on dialysis I guess you need to discuss the process of transfer with your dialysis unit. I'd mention what you are planning and they should tell you the best way to pr...

Good Luck with the transplant.
Hope all goes well.
My transplant has been life changing. There are some days I almost (not completely - but that's psychological) forget I am a renal patient.

Sorry to hear about your dad. I agree with johnylefox. Tell you dad you love him. I was fortunate enough to tell my dad before he died and I'm so pleased I did. At his age and with a number of medical conditions it may not be the kidney problems that end his life, it could be others but most likely ...

No you move house first. Register with a GP. They refer you to the local renal department who will then be able to get the notes from your old department if required. You could if you like alert your current department that you were about to move. A helpful consultant may then write a more detailed ...

About to have a water softener fitted at home. We live in SE England so the native water is very hard. I was just wondering if anyone had been given ant advice on water softeners and kidneys (I'm transplanted). I understand that natural soft water is different to softened water, as water is artifici...

Not wishing to take sides here but - if you are going to do a survey, talking or discussion first helps formulate how to frame and which questions to ask. It also gives an idea as to what is important to people so the direction a survey should take. Hannah has removed her question so I am viewing it...

Hannah, I agree with what the others have said. I wouldn't normally reply to such requests but I think this is an important subject discussion of which may just help other forumites I think it is important to say that some dialysis patients are sicker than others. We are all individuals. I was very ...

Delighted to hear all is going well. Hope Mrs Grey is well too. There is life after transplant. I am also 18 months post transplant. Just been very brave and been on holiday to Italy for a week. It feels very nerve wracking leaving the safety of being able to get to my local consultant if necessary....

I agree with the above. Talk to your dialysis nurse/doctor. I was drinking 2 litres a day. The standard advice I was given was 750ml more than you pee out. However it struck me that the less I drunk the less I'd pee, and vica versa. I guess my kidneys were handing water just not other waste products...