Dialysis is a way of life for many patients. It is a way a person has to live and spend their day in order to survive. Dialysis affects thousands of people on a daily basis including the family members. Here are some tips I have learned over the years working in healthcare.
Never miss a dialysis session!
Never miss your dialysis appointment unless it is an emergency and you have cleared this with your dialysis team or dialysis center. There are going to be times when you may need to miss because of a scheduled procedure or an ailment.
Always speak to your nephrologist or primary care doctor’s staff if you need to miss for any reason. They can guide you or reschedule your appointment so you do not go too far in between sessions.
A nurse once told me that you can only miss so many dialysis appointments before your body will not respond as well as it should. So do not miss one just because. Extra fluid may build up in your body during the missed days and may cause very unwanted side effects.
Wear clothing that is open near your access site on your arm or catheter in your chest for easy access.
I have seen a variety of shirts and blouses for easy access online. Some patients will cut out a hole in their clothing as well and wear that to their appointment. You can get creative here for easy access.
If you have a catheter in your groin, then wear loose shorts, pants, sweatpants, or a long skirt that is easy to move out of the way. If you have a fistula, ask for a numbing cream prescription that you would put on your access site on your arm prior to your appointment. Ask how to use it and how long to leave it applied before your site is accessed for dialysis.
Ask which type of dialysis is right for you.
Peritoneal dialysis can be done at home but you must have a dedicated space for all the supplies and equipment needed. You must take the required classes and have a peritoneal dialysis catheter placed. Many patients have hemodialysis three times a week in an outpatient center and not at their home so become familiar with the different options.
You cannot eat everything you used to!
Certain foods should be avoided as a dialysis patient. You have to avoid high potassium foods and high phosphorus food because dialysis cannot eliminate all these minerals from your blood. Avoid bananas and lentils.
Eating berries is okay. Ask which foods you can have and ALWAYS ask how much water you can drink on daily basis. You are limited on how much fluids you can have on a daily basis. You should also limit salt and get moving on a daily basis. Your renal dietitian will give you a meal plan to follow. Dark soda should be avoided as well.
Ask for financial assistance options from your social worker.
Dialysis is expensive so ask what kind of assistance you can qualify for and help with payments and ask if you qualify for Medicare. According to the National Kidney Foundation, Medicare coverage depends on the type of treatment you choose after you apply. So ask away.
Bring warm clothes and a blanket!
It gets cold while you get your dialysis so bring a blanket and warm clothes to help keep you comfortable. Bring books, your phone, an e-reader, headphones, or your favorite pastime to keep you occupied. Neck pillows and back pillows help with positioning and comfort.
Schedule your dialysis after you receive IV contrast for a radiologic exam.
There may be different school of thoughts here. When I was in radiology school, patients would be advised to schedule an exam with IV contrast and then have dialysis within 24 hours. This would allow dialysis to get rid of the IV contrast as it is filtered through your kidneys.
Patients used to have to reschedule if they could not have dialysis within 24 hours. Nowadays, your nephrologist can determine what is right for you if IV contrast is needed for a CT scan or x-ray. Our patients nowadays may wait until their next scheduled dialysis appointment if appropriate.
Join a support group for dialysis patients.
This is a great way to learn tips and tricks and be around people that have been through dialysis. Ask if family members can attend or find support groups for your family. It can be emotional for family members to see what our loved ones go through as well. The more support the better in my opinion. Support groups allow family members to ask their questions as well. You can get great advice from other patients.
Stay on the dialysis machine the entire time.
Every minute counts that you are hooked up to your machine. It is very important to complete the entire session. Ask your nurse if something is uncomfortable and ways to work to a better solution for you. Ask what to expect in the early days so you know how to be comfortable and stay the course.
I have seen many situations in my 23 years in healthcare. I have learned a lot from nurses, doctors, patients, medical assistants, etc. Let me know in the comments if you have a subject you would like me to write about. I may have some tips on that as well. Let me know if you have any questions. I am happy to find out the answers for you.