[idea]

One more thing, while shortlisting dialysis centre, make sure about hygiene level and technical knowledge of staff. Most of centres provide monthly packages also.

Dialysis session is also covered in mediclaim(even though its less tham 24 Hrs hospital stay.) So do checkup with your insurance company about the same.

[aaggoswami]

1) I just wanted to add a few points as Ayurveda medicines are recommended.

2) Find the right person having an in-depth knowledge of Ayurveda is critical. Some people give " Bhasm " which loads the kidney way too much. A right person can stabilize creatinine levels if visited early. Ayurveda is very helpful, but one has to start on time and have patience. If situation is critical, its best to allow allopathy to take care of things first.

3) If one is taking both normal allopathy and ayurvedic medicines together, its best to inform both the doctors about it.

4) This is from my own experience.

My mother had undergone two operations because blood was not reaching toe. Situation was that medicine of cancer level was prescribed to her. The Doctor told that if this does not work, we will have to think of cutting off toe. But things improved.

But other problems did remain like Diabetes, Asthama and high BP. Eventually, we were informed about some Ayurveda person in Saurashtra near Somnath ( the reason why we visit that place with relatively high frequency ). Things did improve and mom is taking medicines regularly.

This is confirmed by mom's medical examinations, but we are monitoring her health constantly from time to time.

The reason for posting this is that ayurveda treatment has to start on time and ayurveda medicine will take its time to cure.

[rock75]

You must already be consulting a good nephrologist. It depends on the percentage of loss of kidney function. Sometimes patient can be managed on medicines and diet changes entirely or dialysis can be delayed. Once it starts the following tips are there.

1. I would recommend haemodialysis at a good hospital to be much better than peritoneal dialysis at home. The reason is the amount of hygiene and aseptic conditions required to be maintained can not easily be maintained at home. I have personally seen haemodialysis patients having less infection and surviving more than peritoneal dialysis.

2. Haemodialysis has to be done 2-3 times a week for 4-5 hour session each times whereas peritoneal dialysis require multiple sessions everyday.IF otherwise fit, haemodialysis patient can attend to his business by scheduling the dialysis sessions accordingly.

3. Calcium and calcitriol supplementation has to be taken along with phosphate binders so that bones do not leach.

4. Renal failure leads to anemia so erythropoietin injection to be taken twice a week preferably.

5. Regular BP/heart/diabetic medication as advised. Some diuretics like LAsix may be prescribed.

6. potassium rich foods to be avoided, most fruits, chutneys,pickles etc. some vegitables can be taken after blanching.

7. some nutritional suppliments are avaiable for renal failure patients on dialysis.

8. Amount of fluids to be limited.

9. You have to watch the weight between each dialysis.

10. Low protein diet so as to preserve kidney function but some protein still have to be taken.

11. Patient should maintain positive attitude towards life. This is single most important advice I can give. I have personally seen people with strong will power surviving for more than a decade while others give up in a year or two.

12. No exertion is recomended for patient with chronic renal failure.

13. Regular blood test for creatinine, urea, phosphorus,potassium, Hb and as advised by nephrologists.If you can afford it change the dialysis kit every session as it will avoid infections and will give better filteration.

Lastly Do not go for any ayurveda, magic cure,magnet therapy hocus pocus and neglect/delay dialysis. There is no such cure for renal failure. Period.

I have seen such patients who do not survive for long as their remaining kidney function is also gone and it is difficult to treat them.

[carboy]

Originally Posted by esoteric_su

No matter what the doctors or journals say , my experience of having faced this in my family and also seeing lot of patients in Apollo , Bangalore :
1) Once you start dialysis , you have to continue for the rest of your life

Absolutely. Because you start dialysis only because your kidney isn't functioning. You kidney is not going to start functioning again miraculously because you start dialysis.

But this isn't a reason to put off dialysis.
If you lose your legs, you don't refuse to use a wheelchair just because you would have to use it for the rest of your life, right?

Originally Posted by esoteric_su

2) For senior citizens above 65 , chances for survival after 2 yrs of continuous dialysis ( min 2 times per week ) is extremely rare . In most cases patients suddenly expire , mostly in their sleep.

For many of them, if dialysis is required & they put it off they may not even survive for a year.

Originally Posted by esoteric_su

Delay the dialysis as much as possible and try naturopathy .

If your doctor says you need dialysis & you try to delay it, it would very reckless. There is no known & tested way to make a kidney heal. Stem Cells Treatment would probably be a way in the future, but as of now there is no known cure.

There is very nascent research on whether Milk Thistle(Silymarin) may help with Kidney healing. You get Silymarin tablets in India - it's prescribed by doctors for liver problems, but there is a chance that it may help with Kidney also. But again trying this & putting of dialysis against a doctor's advice would be very reckless.

One more thing about serum creatinine levels is that very severe hypothyroidism also increases creatinine levels in some people especially of an advanced age. Treatment of the thyroid dysfunction has reversed the sudden increase in creatinine levels in patients with renal problems also. However, the doctor would have probably considered this & monitored TSH & other thyroid markers.

[djpeesh]

GTO, don't know what the current scenario is, but feel free to PM me if you need anything. My dad's been on dialysis since 1993 (when he was 36, and me was 7). My dad still works and travels and everything, and leads a pretty normal life. He does dialysis at Breach Candy hospital in Mumbai. Like I said, PM for details or if you need a good nephrologist. I'm half nephrologist 17 years later

[GTO]

Thanks guys. @ Djpeesh, appreciated, will surely drop a line if needed.

[GTO]

Just wanted to put in an update for all of you who contributed : Papa had his first run of dialysis yesterday. It was (surprisingly) simpler than expected. We chose Asian Heart Institute as he has been treated there earlier, and their artificial kidney center is world class. His fiscula was ready (thus, no need of a neck catheter or similar) and they started the dialysis procedure at 1300 hours. I was sitting with him throughout, until the end of the process at 1700 hours. It's noteworthy to mention that he did NOT feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure. In fact, he was reading a newspaper, watching TV, had a snack and then dozed off for a two hour nap while his dialysis was on. They removed 3 liters of excess fluid in the 1st run.

He had some weakness right after, but it wasn't that bad. The rest of the evening was as per his regular routine. Even ate a healthy dinner and slept really well. I don't remember the last time I saw him as fresh as he looked this morning. For now, the doctors have advised two dialysis per week.

From time to time, I have read out this entire thread to Dad. Just wanted to say Thanks for the guidance!

[RajaTaurus]

I would say this is the perfect start you could think of, under the given circumstances. It would make him feel a bit tired right after the dialysis, but couple of hours later he will be normal. Main thing now is control on quantity of fluid intake. Please follow doctor's prescribed quantity of fluid (that includes water, watery fruits, water in food et al) strictly. He would pass very little urine or none at all, but nothing to worry about it.
Our best wishes to him for a healthy life.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by RajaTaurus

Main thing now is control on quantity of fluid intake. Please follow doctor's prescribed quantity of fluid (that includes water, watery fruits, water in food et al) strictly.

Doctor said 1 liter, but he's able to pass the day with 800 ml comfortably.

Our best wishes to him for a healthy life.

Thanks, RajaTaurus.

[idea]

Originally Posted by GTO

Doctor said 1 liter, but he's able to pass the day with 800 ml comfortably.



Thanks, RajaTaurus.

It will be a good idea to keep track of liquid intake(Direct and indirect - bit difficult to follow) and liquid out. This will actually assist you to keep balance of liquid in body. Keep watch on swelling on legs - it is nothing but water accumulation in in Heamo Dialysis.

Generally during/immediately after dialysis eating sweet/glucose even orange toffee helps. Also make it a point to rest him for 20-30 minutes rest in hospital before heading for home. And never hurry up in process.

Though it looks simple due to all sophisticated machines and all but it actually put load on heart as fluid are being flowing under pressure. I am sure your doctor must have prescribed some heart tablets.

Frequency of dialysis will depend on water retention and Creatanine level in body.

@djpeesh: You are very lucky and very happy to know that all is going well.

All the best.

[samabhi]

GTO,

Needless to say, too many suggestions being offerred, I know how it is like.

Most important aspect which I experienced with my family member during dialysis is the duration of the entire process shouldnt be cut short. No matter what.

There are some complications which will result in due to this.

[discoverwild]

Dear GTO,

I read this entire post on Dialysis and found it informative. How is your father now and how is he managing the dialysis?

My father (64) has been asked to undergo dialysis now and have been reading about it. Would like to know your views on how this has helped your father, since the age difference isn't much. His creatinine levels are high but sodium and potassium levels are in the lower of the normal range. Haemoglobin is low too.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by discoverwild

How is your father now and how is he managing the dialysis?

My father (64) has been asked to undergo dialysis now and have been reading about it.

Hi Suraj,

First & foremost, neither you nor your Dad should think of dialysis as a stigma. It is actually a GOOD thing as it removes all the junk from the body. Don't let any friends or relatives have you believe otherwise. We used to think it's a big deal...but medical science has moved on. People do it before work, after work and even during work. Papa now thinks of dialysis as his 4 hour workout.

Some tips:

- Be sure to read this thread inside out. Folk have shared wonderful information here.

- This is an excellent Indian-oriented Dialysis website.

- Ask your Doctor (and take a second opinion) if your Father is fit enough for a kidney transplant.

- A clean dialysis center is mandatory, as is a good nephrologist. Go out there and see the options available. More than distance, it should be a center / doctor that your Dad is comfortable with. It's VERY important for him to like the Doctor, the place and the people.

- There is a service in Mumbai called Apex Kidney Center who offer dialysis at home. The machine is installed @ 15K / month and each dialysis costs Rs. 1,500. The technicians are A+ and they will come at whatever time you want. We did try this for a couple of months; eventually, Papa wanted to go back to the hospital environment because there was a kind of support system there (company with other dialysis patients etc.). Check if there is a similar service available in your city (though I'd recommend starting off at a proper dialysis center under supervision).

- You & your family need to provide max psychological support to your Dad (key word is support, not pity). The first 2 - 3 months are the most difficult as it entails a change in schedule, the body is undergoing changes, controlling fluid intake etc. You or another family member should accompany him the first couple of times. I went with Dad for each and every dialysis for the first 6 - 7 months.

- Make sure your Dad leads a normal life (dialysis aside). He should work, he should play, he should hang out with the family over weekends (restaurants, movies, drives etc.). Again, I reiterate : Dialysis is a GOOD thing and he should understand that.

- During the initial period, be sure to doubly check his sugar & pressure before bringing him home.

- While he's at the dialysis center, don't let him sit idle. He should read, listen to an iPod or whatever. But do NOT let him sit idle. He can also have snacks while the dialysis is in process

- Not easy, but your father will have to adjust to limited fluid intake. Tough at first, becomes a part of life later. The key is to have "sips" and not gulps. We don't have juices, cola etc. around him at home.

- He will have to eat super healthy food and also mild exercise (if he can). Dialysis isn't perfect; along with the bad, it does remove some good stuff from your body too. Diet should be low on protein & potassium.

- Whatever happens, don't bunk a dialysis section. It can & will completely throw the body off balance. We've seen that, if Dad misses a single session, his body bloats up, he loses his appetite and also gets breathless. Of course, sometimes its unavoidable (the recent funeral of a prominent politician meant we couldn't move out of the house), but you should try to minimise this as much as possible.

Good luck to your Dad!

[girimajiananth]

I just happened to read this thread and I would like to share an experience with you folks .

My father's uncle aged about 56 years was diagnosed diabetic around 10 years ago. Bad food habits and lack of physical exersice worsened his conditions and his kidneys started failing.

Doctors advised him to undergo dialysis on a regular basis and hence treatment started at a small hospital in his home town.

He came across an unani doctor at Ambur (in Tamil Nadu) and sought his advice. This doctor prescribed him a number of tonics and pills and asked not to go for dialysis for sometime.

After a couple of months of medication along with food restrictions and diet , his kidneys are working and he is no longer in need of dialysis. His blood sugar is in perfect control , he is able to lead a normal life with out dialysis.

My father was diagnosed with non-alcoholic liver cirrhosis , and most allopathy doctors said that there was no treatment other than a liver transplant . My father consulted this same unani doctor and he started treating him for jaundice. Apparently the cause of cirrhosis could have been an untreated jaundice during his childhood.

We get his blood parameters checked every now and then , and its improving at a faster rate. In another 6 to 7 months of same medication and proper diet , he should be back to his normal stage.

I have not met this doctor in person , but from what my father says , he does not charge a single rupee as his consultation fee (charges only for medicine) and a lot of people from all over the country come and visit him at Ambur.

So , if anyone willing to try unani medicine , please PM me I will share the contact number of the doctor .

[carboy]

Originally Posted by girimajiananth

My father was diagnosed with non-alcoholic liver cirrhosis , and most allopathy doctors said that there was no treatment other than a liver transplant . My father consulted this same unani doctor and he started treating him for jaundice. Apparently the cause of cirrhosis could have been an untreated jaundice during his childhood.

Jaundice is not a disease. It's a symptom of a disease - and the disease is usually cirrhosis - caused by hepatitis, alcoholism etc. Even in our childhood, when we were told we have jaundice, we actually had cirrhosis/hepatitis.