Does anyone recommend having kidney dialysis ?

Question

My mother has heart failure and diabetes and now the doctors are recommending kidney dialysis. If you are RN or Doctor, would you recommend having this done if she has to go 2 to 3 days a week

Answer 1

Yvon,

I'm not an RN or a Doctor, but my mom also had heart failure and diabetes. Dialysis is not a fun process, however it did give my mom an additional 3 years of QUALITY life. She went 3 days a week and it took several hours each day. She tolerated it fairly well, some days better than others. She also changed her diet, ate healthy, did light exercises, and monitored her blood sugar and quit smoking. In my opinion, yes I think your mom should undergo dialysis, but it is totally up to her. She needs to talk with her doctor and get all the facts, and make an educated decision. The alternative is of course death.

How old is your mom, is she still active and mentally alert?

Answer 2

its kinda fun; its actually a hobby of mine, but thats just me. give it a try and let me know; later

Answer 3

I'm in the same boat! 3 years ago my heart and kidneys failed and I started hemodialysis it was the worst time of my life that first year and now its just what I do to stay alive! I have seen two more grand babies born to both daughters and have gotten to talk to my other grand kids and kids about lots of stuff.

Dialysis is 3 times a week for any where from 3 to 4 hours each time.

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I have been to both a "local" clinic and a davita clinic I LOVE the team at my davita clinic. Check them out first.

Its not the end of the world but you have to look at it like a job for us that have the heart stuff going too we know we can't get a transplant so we have to protect the diet and the arm access and the fluids too IF your Mother is willing to do these then YES she should do it,

Really she should do it anyway because she is to sick to make the wrong decision for now.... after 2-3 years on dialysis then she will be able to make the decision to stay on or come off.... I know many that has made the decision to come off, I cry for them but its their right and respect them for it.  As for me I want to live and will work hard to stay alive I want to "see" (I'm also blind) my grand babies grow! I did not feel this way that first year!

Good Luck and God Bless you for caring for your Mom  

Answer 4

This is not one of those"'recommended" things --Your mother will die without it.

If the doctor is "recommending" dialysis, it is because your mother's kidneys have failed, probably a result of uncontrolled diabetes.  

You didn't say what KIND of heart failure your mother has, but I'm guessing congestive heart failure.  In this case the dialysis may reduce the load on her heart, thus helping her feel better.

Dialysis is pretty much cut and dried.  The only "option" with this treatment is whether whe wants to live or die.  if she wants to live then she MUST HAVE the dialysis.

If she chooses the dialysis, then she must must have it three times a week.  2 times is probably not an option, as it sounds that your mother is too sick otherwise.  The poisons and fluids are building up in her system too quickly, and 3 times a week MINIMUM is required.

There is another form of dialysis called PERITONEAL DIALYSIS that is done every day, and it can be done at home.  However, I suspect that your mother is so sick that she needs dialysis on an emergency basis, so peritoneal dialysis is probably not an option.

Again, "recommended" is  just a nice word for saying "do you want to live or die".  Depending on your mother's age, dying might be an option to her, and that is certainly her choice.  But other than that there is no "option" for the dialysis -- you go, 3 times a week, or you die.

Answer 5

  Just a medical student.

If you want your mother around you will do this other wise to be frank she will die in 2 to 3 weeks. that is usually the time frame they give one when the kidneys stop working.  I would suggest if she is comfortable and not in misery that yes let her live it depends upon what she wants and should be her wishes and if your a care taker and you are making these decisions for her do not stop because your tired call in for someone to help you. We only have one mother and she did  bring our lives into this cruel world only to protect and love us and to be loved by their children as a love for a child is unconditional as it is for most children, as I said most some that are not in control of their emotions are useless to parents that are in need.

Answer 6

I didn't realize it was just a recommendation...I thought when you needed it, you needed it!  I don't think this is really an option if your doctor says it's time.  

Answer 7

your mom have diabetes complication , yach heart failure ( makrovascular complications) and kidney failure (microvascvular complication). high blood glucose damage the cell of your mom kidney, The kidney function is not 100% to filter blood dirty, toxic, waste, etc. If the function not full, accumulation blood dirty and toxic will kill your mom. The solution, hemodialisys tool will help kidney function...to be 100%..........very expensive. you can get more info about diabetes in http://www.diabetes.fat-site.com