19% GFR

I'm of the belief early is better. In my case we waited too long. The building of a fistula is a two step deal. So you have had the first part done, they like to let it mature in some way or another and later a few months perhaps they will need to go in again finnish the fistula. For me we waited too long and I became really sick and had a emergency port installed they don't like those as it is very easily infected. So early is better.

Hi Nichols I agree with James and better to have this in place before you progress on to stage5 and the fact that you're being prepared for dialysis would suggest to me that you've almost reached stage 5 anyway. I found it very helpful to squeeze a soft toy or something similar and this increases the blood flow on your fistula and helps it mature quicker. I do think it's important to tell your nephrologist the minute you become fatigued or breathless or sick. My story was very typical and remeber 3 years ago being advised by My GPI had to see a nephrologist. I went along to "humour" them and had no symptoms at all. In November 16 i became so exhausted and nauseous I had my fistula done within weeks and started HDin January 17.

I hope this helps and wish you all the best

Thanks for your input guys.

A lot will depend on the individual Nichola. Your neph might be seeing other issues rather than just your gfr. E.g. High potassium. Personally I wouldn't be too bothered.

I think it is little early to do fistuala. Sorry, I am not a Kidney patient, but my wife is . She is in 3rd stage. So far I have seen that Fistula is done when eGFR is less that 10. Neph generally prescribed dialysis when patients reach 5th stage i.e. when e-GFR reached to less than 15. U r in 4th stage and near to 5th. But why you or ur neph/doc believe that u will reach in 5th stage and go for dialysis? This is the hitch.

It seems to me that most of the Neph/Docs just wait for a kidney patient will reach 5th stage and he will start dialysis. rather than keeping the patient mentally boost-up that the patient will not reach 5th and will avoid dialysis. In my view you can still avoid dialysis by medical and self management. Take accurate medicine or try alternative like honeopathy and or Ayurved and most importantly eat correct food as per ur condition specially looking at the figures/results/ ratios etc. to ur Electrolytes and Micro-albumin. Keep ur mental strength upright and grow a will power that u will not reach to the stage of dialysis.

Hi Nichola, I was advised to have mine nearly 6 months before I was put on dialysis

because it gives the whole fistula time to become good and strong, ready for dialysis.

im in France in Brittany, and the whole care program for people  with kidney problems

is excellent. I wish you all the best for the future, keep your chin up, and think positively, krissy