My 75 year old father on dialasys please help!
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hello,
I am desperately seeking answers to anyone that can answer this question , anyone who has any information regarding kidney failure . My father is a 75 year old man . About two years his health decline drastically ! As they admitted him to hospital due to the high amounts of potassium which is a common effect of this illness . Well it started with this then through getting a biopsy of the kidneys and blood work , they found that he had a rare decease, I forgot the complicated name gamapathy something?...plus they found that he had the cell that can cause myeloma (cancer) . He went through a lot ! Basically chronic kidney failure they were at 5%! He began dialasys then they saw that his kidney went up to 10% then they took him off . Though the process I saw him Ill ! He looked sick. Then months go by , doc said if kidneys can maintain at that percentage he won't have to get treatment anymore . Why?! I asked myself ! Symptoms began , nauseous , tired , pale, itching, cold , vomoting , not eating at all! Then again dialysis began , he's now been on it for like maybe 6 months already . He has passed out like two times through the process everything was ok based on exam , only thing pressure was high. They put him on a low b/p med because of kid kidney condition , and well here he is having good days , bad days , in between . Now I know that it varies in each people but if you have any info nothing but the truth about life expectancy due to his age 75, can he live a good life time with treatment ? Or can I expect him to die soon? Any feedback is welcome please . Especially if you're going through this . Thanks .
1 like, 11 replies
LynQ erick96818
Posted
Hello Erick,
I'm sorry to hear of your father's illness. I may be able to put your mind at rest about one thing. I, too have the para proein in my blood which is a marker for myeloma. It is called IGg. It does not mean that you have cancer or even that you will get it, because you can have it for apparently no reason. It is only if the amount in the blood rises that there is a potential problem. My blood is tested every six month and my level has remained the same for six years now.
I understand that people on dialysis can have it for decades. Thus in itself, it should not decrease your father's life expectancy. It is important to keep his blood pressure controlled and to make sure that he does not become anaemic- a common problem with CKD. I'm glad he has you to suport him. Good luck!
erick96818 LynQ
Posted
Thank you very much ! For your response. He's anemic already by the way , he gets shots everytime he gets dialasys for his anemia .
erick96818
Posted
I forgot to mentioned that yes they test my dads blood every six months or so . No one deserves to go through that ! In like my dad we don't accept changes and circumstances that well . I know this is life , but we live off routine and we don't like it when our cycle is broken . It's all psychological but life can be cruel .
helen54849 erick96818
Posted
Hi,
Wow your poor father he has been through it hasn't he. I am sitting here and I can't quiet believe what I am reading about them getting him up to 10% then stopping dialysis. The only way as far as I am aware you can come off it is if you have an acute kidney illness but never chronic. I started dialysis at 9% i was breathless, couldn't eat, was itchy and felt and looked like death. My kidney function went up to 13% but has now dropped to 7%. You can live for years on dialysis but a lot depends on your age and your overall health, obviously the older we get the less time it is effective but he should get a good few years. Always question things never just go with what you are told, if it doesn't feel right ask questions until you are satisfied with the answer you get get. If you google it there are some stats that say about 3.1 years over 75 but this is just a guide and no means written in stone as we are all different so I wouldn't think about your Dad going anywhere I would concentrate on enjoying the time you have with him making sure he is comfy and happy and having fun times. Its very scary when our parents fall ill good luck with everything x
erick96818 helen54849
Posted
Thank you Helen , I appreciate your response . I hope with all my heart that he still lives a long life . I know I'm being naive because who wants to accept death! Especially someone that you really love . My father has always been active . Then life to its course with age and he went down! He's so frail . Looking at the man that I saw as my protector who took care of me . Now I'm here taking care of him .
erick96818 helen54849
Posted
Helen , one more question with all respect how old are you? I'm sorry to hear about your struggle on dialysis . What caused yours ? My dad always tells me he wants to give up , who wants to be on a chair for 3 hrs and 15 min is what they have him on . How many hrs do you do?
helen54849 erick96818
Posted
Hi,
I know exactly how you feel, I lost my father to cancer when he was just 60. He was and always will be my hero, as you say it is really hard to watch someone who has been strong and active deteriorate in front of you. Very hard indeed. I take comfort in the fact my father taught me how to do everything for myself from fixing my own car to laying tiles. So many lovely memories so I completely understand what you are going through. I am 38 they recon I have allports but I think that was just a name given as they don't really know why. Allports is passed down through family, no one has it except me, you are supposed to be male, have eye problems and be deaf. I am none of these things, also allports is diagnosed with one biopsy I have had 2 and nothing came up so I think they have just labelled me rather than say they don't know. Know matter the diagnosis I have end stage renal failure best not chide about it I am too busy to feel sorry for myself and what would come of be being glum I would only upset everyone else and there would be no fairness in that. I am lucky in that I have the best family and friends that are family anyway. I have a good job, a nice house and a lovely husband and two beautiful children. I have nothiing to complain about I think I am very lucky. I do PD (peritoneal dialysis) so its minimum of 8 hours each night myself at home. Less invasive that HD not as many restrictions I don't have to watch what I eat or drink I only take one BP tablet and vit D back on EPO now but hadn't been on that for ages so have reasonably good time. I wouldn't like to be sat on a chair for hours in the hospital, can he not do it at home and perhaps you could get trained to help him set up he may feel able to bare it more in his own home with his own things around him. I do feel for him I know exactly how he felt and it it not pleaseant. If he wants to speak to me next time you are with him drop me a pm and we can converse. SOmetimes it helps to speak to people who are going through it and know first hand how you feel. I am sure it is also hard for you, before I started dialysis I couldn't eat as I said I am not the largest of people to start with so my poor husband would try anything to get me to eat he would list list food every night and I wouldn't want wny of it so when I woudl say I fancy stuffed peppers he would run out and get them as it didn't happen often. He was at his witts end at one point as I just really couldn't eat I wasn't being difficult I physically couldn't and I am sure it was very dificult for him. keep us posted on your father and remember don't always take what the doctors saay they are not always right and you have a right to ask questions. Take care xx
erick96818 helen54849
Posted
Thanks , very inspiring response . Because I see my dad going through all this I make the association with what you're going through . Especially that you're young, I'm 38 as well and it's very difficult for me to go through that . Unfortunately I don't live with my dad , I go and see him and this has been the choice getting it at hospital . My dad is a very stubborn man , who has regress into a child again. I don't blame him who needs that burden in their lives ! Final question , why 8hrs ? As oppose to my dad 3 hrs ? Is there a difference ?
helen54849 erick96818
Posted
Hi,
No problem ask all you want, I may not always have the answer and of course I am not medically trained but if I can help you or your Dad then of course I will. HD is 3 hours as it cleans the blood it has its pros and cons like I mentioned the strict fluid intake, it also can make you feel pretty grotty so I am told as it causes a blood pressure drop after it has ended and if they take too much fluid off you can feel dizzy and sick. Please try and be patient with your Dad he really can't help how he is being. PD is done differently no blood leaves the body it is special fluid that goes into the peritoneal cavity and while in there it sucks out all the nasty (well as much as it can) this also has its pros and cons because I am only little I can't have the litres of fluid someone bigger can and I also cant have the fluid that is supposed to stay in all day I just can't tollerate it. Having said that I do very well on what I can tollerate therefore I am lucky. My Dad was stubborn must be the era they were from lol. Before he died we were having xmas lunch and I made prawn cocktail he kicked uup such a fuss becasue I had put all the prawns in the dish as he wanted to arrange some into a pattern on the top. I had to wash the sauce of somee of the bloody things just to calm him down. I blame the steriods he was taking but I know how difficult it is to look after a sick stubborn man. If you need anything just ask as well all need support x
erick96818 helen54849
Posted
Helen, do you think it's possible that the times when my dad passed out was due to the dialasys ? The doc who saw him mentioned that they were probably taking out too much fluid as you mentioned . My dad never shows emotions until that day I saw him in hospital bed started crying . It was soooo heart breaking but I had to keep my cool for the family as they were crying too . First time he passed out his pressure was high , second time he was ok no pressure drop . This when doc suggested it can be neurological . Or they're taking too much fluid out . Is this possible ? What do you think? For him to pass out like that ! He started foaming from mouth plus convulsions ! Is this part of dialasys that can happen?! Plus his arm has swell during dialysis . Final question with all respect, are you still urinating? Because he's not anymore . Thanks .
helen54849 erick96818
Posted
Hi,
Yes it is more than likely due to the dialysis he passed out it can happen, you have to think it is quite a shock for the body to have blood removed like that (I know its not all taken out at once) then put back in clean. He could pass out due to too much fluid yes, if it keeps happening and he feels grotty ask them if they can make adjustments and take a little less off that should help him. He is more than likely scared bless him, obviously the effects are worse with older patients. For him to have a fit again suggests too much fluid. Is it his arm with the fistula that swells? Yes I still do urinate some people don't and very few on HD do so don't worry about this as it is normal. If your Dad is getting distressed speak to the nurses and see if they can fix things so that he is more comforatble as the whole point of dialysis is for a better quality of life they can and should assist you. x