Dialysis...how long?

[ScarlettO]

My friend says her DH can't stay on dialysis for a long time(like a few years) -is this true?

He refuses to consider transplant because of the high cost of anti-rejection drugs .

 

[Pop Daddy]

I dont know, how old is he ?

 

[Otto's Doll]

I don't know the situation, but my 70 year old FIL has been in renal failure for about 10 years (if not longer) and has been on dialysis 3 days a week for 3.5 hours a day for at least 6 years. He also has emphysema as well as having a stroke in the past. He is doing pretty well for all these problems.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I certainly hope he DOES consider a transplant because a kidney transplant has a VERY high success rate! My mother - in - law has been on dialysis for 8 years (she isn't a transplant candidate) so you can live on dialysis for a long time, but not as long a transplant would allow you to live. You would also have a MUCH better quality of life with the transplant - who wants to got to dialysis every other day for 3 hours!

 

[ScarlettO]

Hey....6 years is longer than I thought...great.
(He is 53 and has lots of other medical problems-lost a foot to diabetes, lost some sight and heart problems)

 

[aesalsa]

Peritoneal dialysis is another option if he or a close family member is willing to take on a little bit more responsibility. It's actually better on your body because it gets done every day, but the patient is at home and does it himself. I was on this dialysis for 6 years until I decided I was ready for a transplant, and wouldn't hesitate to go this route again if this kidney (my dad's left one) failed. PM me if you or your friend would like to know more from a patient's perspective. Or he can ask his doctor about it. I know that I always felt sick and tired right after and on the days in between traditional dialysis (hemo dialysis). I never really felt bad on the peritoneal dialysis.

There is a right treatment for everyone. Let me know if you'd like more info . I'll say a prayer for him .

Good luck. . .

 

[phillybeth]

I know of people who have been on dialysis more than 10 years. However they did not have a lot of health issues before starting.

Won't insurance conver ant-rejection meds?

 

[Mimi Q]

My father-in-law was on dialysis several years before he had a transplant. In our state, Georgia, he gets help with the cost of the anti-rejection drugs. It took him a couple of years to decide he wanted to be on the list for a transplant. Maybe your friend's husband will decide he would like to be on the list later. Dialysis is such a hassle. We couldn't go on family vacations anymore because he didn't feel comfortable having dialysis anywhere but his regular center. My FIL received his kidney two years ago this month and it was an answer to our prayers.