Question about dialysis .... warning: sad

[pilotwife_02]

I may not be getting the whole story right since I'm getting this info 3rd hand, but my grandmother is in her 80's and has been getting dialysis for the past 6-7 years 3 days a week.

Her health has been deteriorating and today we were told that because of some blood pressure issues they may need to stop it (I'm note sure if this is correct, just what I'm being told by my mom who was told this by my Uncle). They are waiting for another doctor to come and give a second opinion.

Anyway, IF this is true and they have to stop giving my grandmother dialysis, how long does she have if she goes 3 times a week? I know that's a morbid question to ask, but I live 500 miles away and I am going to have to make some arrangements.

Also, I'm thinking I might just go out there to be with her and stay until the end. I'm fortunate enough that I can do that, but I have to find a place for all of us to stay.

Anyway, I'm just brainstorming on here and rambling, guess I have a lot running through my head right now, sorry. I was pretty close to her growing up, spent my summers with her in Florida and I'm trying to figure out what to do.

Thanks.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I have absolutely no idea but wanted to send you hugs. I'll be keeping her in my prayers.

 

[pilotwife_02]

I have absolutely no idea but wanted to send you hugs. I'll be keeping her in my prayers.

Thank you!

Where in NJ are you? That's actually where I will be headed. The Morristown area to be exact. I'm from New Jersey, grew up in Madison.

 

[swald91]

I can't help you either except send you a

 

[mthr2boys]

First off I am so sorry that you are going thru this.

My Dad (who was 86)was on dialysis for 3 years and with all his other health problems (bad heart etc) failing in the end and he ended up in hospital, they gave him dialysis there until they couldnt any more, due to blood pressure reasons also. His last treatment was on a Wednesday, we discussed him stopping it on Thursday. He passed early Saturday morning, again he had many other health problems on top of dialysis. I am sure something like this can vary from person to person and depends on other health issues.

Again, I am sorry you are going thru this. It isnt easy.

 

[AshleyW]

Well, I'll share my story. I'm not sure exactly how relevant it is to your situation, but..

My grandpa was on dialysis 3x a week as well. Almost 4 years ago, he had a heart attack and my grandma took him to the hospital. They found out it was a "minor" heart attack, but, he was having heart failure. He stayed in ICU so they could keep an eye on him. Two days after his heart attack, he went through dialysis and the stress on his heart caused him to have another MI. At that point, they decided there really wasn't anything they could do for him - his heart couldn't handle the dialysis, and his lungs started to fill with fluid because he wasn't able to do dialysis. He went home, and they had hospice come. My mom and aunt are both RN's, so hospice pretty much let them take care of him and give him morphine. He spent 4 days at home, and passed away a week after his initial heart attack.

Like I said, I don't know how "normal" that is because of his heart problems. But, I'll certainly keep you and your family in my prayers. I know how rough this can be.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Prayers and Hugs OP!

 

[pilotwife_02]

Thanks for the info and prayers. I'm assuming since she's older and has other health issues it won't be long after her last treatement. Being she needs it 3x a week I assume if she doesn't have it she won't survive long after her last treatment. I think once DH comes home from his trip Sunday we'll pack up and go out there.

 

[minkydog]

I may not be getting the whole story right since I'm getting this info 3rd hand, but my grandmother is in her 80's and has been getting dialysis for the past 6-7 years 3 days a week.

Her health has been deteriorating and today we were told that because of some blood pressure issues they may need to stop it (I'm note sure if this is correct, just what I'm being told by my mom who was told this by my Uncle). They are waiting for another doctor to come and give a second opinion.

Anyway, IF this is true and they have to stop giving my grandmother dialysis, how long does she have if she goes 3 times a week? I know that's a morbid question to ask, but I live 500 miles away and I am going to have to make some arrangements.

Also, I'm thinking I might just go out there to be with her and stay until the end. I'm fortunate enough that I can do that, but I have to find a place for all of us to stay.

Anyway, I'm just brainstorming on here and rambling, guess I have a lot running through my head right now, sorry. I was pretty close to her growing up, spent my summers with her in Florida and I'm trying to figure out what to do.

Thanks.

This would be a great question to put to her doctors. They can probably give you a ballpark figure so you can arrange to get there before she passes. If you can't be there for the second opinion have your mom write down the question and take it with her so she won't forget.

 

[poohlover]

I understand your question, my DF was on hemodialysis as well. My mother had looked into your question as she was very worried if a large snowstorm should occur what would happen. She doesn't move if there is a flurry, so it was a legit concern for her.

It will depend on the state of health of your grandmother, but about a week without dialysis is as long as one can last due to the toxins building up in the blood.

Knowing this, you must also wonder if there is any other health concern. This would be an appropriate question for her doctors to answer.

Prayers to you and your family, it is not an easy time.

 

[pilotwife_02]

I will certainly see if I can get my uncle to ask her doctors this, I'm sure he will ask her this anyway. Hopefully he won't forget to do that for me (if he doesn't himself). I think the best solution may be to just go out there since the consensus is that it won't be long.

Thanks again for all the thoughts and prayers.

 

[Katie's Butterflies]

I’m so sorry you are going through this. My mom was on dialysis for 5 years. She too has blood pressure issues. There were several times when she could not get dialysis, and she would feel horrible after just 2 days without it.

I agree with the others, she probably won’t be able to last too long after the dialysis stops. I am truly sorry you are facing this.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It will depend on the state of health of your grandmother, but about a week without dialysis is as long as one can last due to the toxins building up in the blood.

I would agree with this, along with the advice that it ultimately depends on her overall health.

My brother was on dialysis three times a week for twelve and a half years. At times, he was so miserable, he actually considered stopping treatment and researched this. At his age - late thirties/early forties - yes, the expectation was a week to ten days after stopping dialysis.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

My FIL was on dialysis for 7 years when he had to stop because of blood pressure issues. His health was failing at that point. He only survived 48 hours after they stopped.

When I told DH about this and read that you had to make arrangements, he said "she had better make them fast." We live in MD and FIL was in FL. Luckily DH was visiting right up until the end.

to you all.

 

[pilotwife_02]

When I told DH about this and read that you had to make arrangements, he said "she had better make them fast." We live in MD and FIL was in FL. Luckily DH was visiting right up until the end.

Luckily DH is a pilot so we can hop on a plane whenever we want. Looks like we will be doing so ASAP.

Thanks again for the quick answers, again I know that we need to rely on doctors, but we all know that when waiting on answers from family members states away it can take time and I wanted to get some answers sooner.

We haven't heard back from my uncle since this afternoon. So I'm glad I was able to get some answers this evening.