Dialysis
At 86 and at stage 4 CKD I had decided I would not engage in dialysis. This last week I came across the item below. I would be interested to seem some comments/
Medical News in Brief
September 13, 2024
Dialysis May Not Be Worth the Trade-Off for Older Adults
Samantha Anderer
JAMA. 2024;332(14):1134. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.18198
Full
Text
Older adults with chronic kidney failure may not benefit as much from dialysis as expected, according to a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Researchers found that although patients may live about a week longer, they spend more time in hospital settings.
The researchers looked at US Department of Veterans Affairs health records from 2010 to 2018 for more than 20 400 patients aged 65 years or older. All patients had chronic kidney failure, had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) less than 12 mL/min/1.73 m2, and were not undergoing evaluation for transplant.
Link for the full details: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2823799#:~:text=Older%20adults%20with%20chronic,more%20time%20in%20hospital%20settings.
, thank you for sharing so much with us. I believe my father was 85 when they told him to start thinking about dialysis. He is now 90 and doing well without it. Of course, we are all different. This is some great information and the community appreciates it. How are you feeling these days? My father was told to drink more water. Did you have to make any lifestyle changes? We would like to hear more from you. Diane (Team Member) Diane, thank you. I am just dealing with a severe cold and yesterday managed a quite spetacular tumble, across the room, out the back door into the wet and mud and demolished an aluminium dyring rack. Rack broken but jut one bruise. I will have another eGFR test later this month. Realistically expecting a decline but hoping not too bad. Whatever, I definitely will not go for dialysis.
You asked,"Did you have to make any lifestyle changes?" Just ageing has reduced my more vigorous activities but still exercising daily, walking, swimming. I will post results of the tests when I have them. Regards to your Dad. How is his mobility.
Harry, it is so nice to hear from you. I will be 67 next month. I never saw these days coming. As far as my father, he is doing great. I think he gets around better than me. I just have to keep a close eye on him. He still wants to drive. He gets up every morning and goes for a walk. He has a caregiver that keeps a close eye on him. I don't want him to cook, drive, etc. He is hardheaded!!! It's good to hear that you are very active. I don't even want to get out of bed anymore. You keep up the good work. Diane (Team Member)
Diane, thank you for your response. I feel my cold is getting better. I still drive and don't have any problems with that. These last few days I have been getting up later... anywhere between 9.30 and 10. Normally I get up around 8 am, tidy up, sweep the lounge area, shave etc and then exercise. My wife is addicted to swiping video clips and often not sleeping until well after midnight and so gets up later... 10.30 elevenish. It is the monsoon period here in Indonesia where I live so these last weeks a lot of rain and overcast but at least it aint freezing. Missing my swims with this head and chest cold. Maybe next week.
Hello. I’m sorry to hear you have a head and chest cold. Here in America pneumonia is going around so be careful with that chest congestion.
I have contemplated not having dialysis when the time comes around. My dad passed with ESRD and I watched him go through some terrible dialysis times. They would draw him down too far and he would pass out. I’m sure there are better clinics around that are more alert to what they are doing. Dialysis is definitely hard on your body especially your heart but, it helps save folks to live longer lives where they are able to enjoy their families especially their children. If I was younger I would probably fight. I just don’t know if I would now at 71. I’ve lived a good life and many years.
Your wife sounds like me, although I’m single, I stay up way too late usually 1:30am or later! I get up between 8-10am. I don’t nap because if I do I really wouldn’t be able to sleep at night and it’s hard enough as it is.
Well you take care of yourself and that cold. Keep fighting the good fight kidney warrior. 💚 Cindy (Team Member).
