Newbie questions alert

This is the forum for the Kidney Patient Guide. We welcome feedback about the site and any information that may be of use or interest to other visitors.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This forum is not for queries that would otherwise be addressed to a doctor. If you have a question about your condition or treatment please consult your renal unit or doctor. We do not have any editorial or medical resources to answer individual queries.

Moderator: administrator

Post Reply
suzeworld
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri May 11, 2018 9:58 pm

Newbie questions alert

Post by suzeworld »

I joined cos my dad is getting set to start dialysis. He's diabetic and alread lost a lot of his sight, and is not very mobile for other reasons.

I went with him to see the specialist renal nurse, this week. I think her main job was to point out the downsides of committing to dialysis. Considering he hardly does anything much except mainly sit in his chair / use his laptop and sleep atm, he doesn't see the time spent on the unit as a problem. Can he expect to see some actual improvement in his quality of life when this starts? His water retention and tiredness are pretty bad .. tho the nurse offered him some more tips on these issues.

He also has frequent diahrea (sp) is that lik to be connected to his kidney failure?

Anyone else in here in his age group? He's 84. Nurse told us she has a patient of 97!
wagolynn
Posts: 1362
Joined: Thu May 23, 2013 2:49 pm

Re: Newbie questions alert

Post by wagolynn »

He should see some improvement once he gets onto dialysis, it takes a little time for them to show.
I would guess they will want him to have haemodialysis.
Dad will see other dialysis patients, which helps a bit.

If he goes onto haemodialysis quickly they will almost certainly use a neck line, because a fistula takes time to heal after it has been made.
A neck line has a lower blood flow rate then a fistula.

See http://www.kidneypatientguide.org.uk/contents.php there is some good information here.

Best wishes.
suzeworld
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri May 11, 2018 9:58 pm

Re: Newbie questions alert

Post by suzeworld »

Thanks. They are supposed to be doing his fistula soon.
The nurse did mention that they could do a neck line in an emergency

I was just wondering how he’ll know he’s reached emergency time? He is very stoical and puts up with a lot of stuff without much fuss.
wagolynn
Posts: 1362
Joined: Thu May 23, 2013 2:49 pm

Re: Newbie questions alert

Post by wagolynn »

The main reasons for emergency action (neck line) is based on, blood results, too much retained water (if it reaches lungs), and how the patient says they are.
suzeworld
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri May 11, 2018 9:58 pm

Re: Newbie questions alert

Post by suzeworld »

Thanks
Post Reply