Is there a way you can avoid dialysis when your nephrologist orders you to?!
Question: I am a guy who has lupus with nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys). For quite sometime I was told that I am already in a very severe state and that both of my kidneys work at 30% filtering capacities. Recently, the protein present in my urine shot up from 4.2 grams to 6.8 grams a day and was told that I should be having any of my arms be prepared for possible dialysis treatment soon. Of course, such a decision must be discussed first with my family so I asked my doctor to wait till my next appointment (a month from now) for my answer. And isn't dialysis treatments done to those whose kidneys already failed altogether? I've always believed that death awaits next to every dialysis machine, hence my delay. But what do you think? Is it worth my marbles to say yes now or should I get a 2nd and 3rd opinion from other specialists before amending the inevitable? Please I need answers. Thanks!
Answers: I am a guy who has lupus with nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys). For quite sometime I was told that I am already in a very severe state and that both of my kidneys work at 30% filtering capacities. Recently, the protein present in my urine shot up from 4.2 grams to 6.8 grams a day and was told that I should be having any of my arms be prepared for possible dialysis treatment soon. Of course, such a decision must be discussed first with my family so I asked my doctor to wait till my next appointment (a month from now) for my answer. And isn't dialysis treatments done to those whose kidneys already failed altogether? I've always believed that death awaits next to every dialysis machine, hence my delay. But what do you think? Is it worth my marbles to say yes now or should I get a 2nd and 3rd opinion from other specialists before amending the inevitable? Please I need answers. Thanks!
I too have lupus. Im not as progressed as you, but I have done a ton of research and also work in the medical field.
I would assume that your doctor is a) afraid your kidneys are in the process of failure, or b) worried that even with partially functioning kidneys, the toxins in your body could build up enough to do damage to your other organs/tissues.
If you are uncomfortable with this doctors opinion, you should definately seek a second. If you just go with what he says, you could end up with regret...and it sounds like there is quit a bit more testing that could be done to detrmine how bad your kidneys really are.
Dialysis doesnt always mean death. For some, it is less frequent, and if your kidneys are functioning partially you would probably be one of those. I know its a grim concept, as I thought at one time I would be faced with it myself...but, only you can make the choice of whether its worth it to you.
Sure, there are two ways to avoid dialysis:
get a transplant
die
I'd go for the dialysis, myself.
TX Mom
Once you have reached 30% it is time. Kidney failure is a painful way to go and that will be the out come if you chose not to do dialysis. Of course, it is ultimitly up to you, but if it were me, and I do have Lupus, I would do it.
Your kidney Dr is a specialist. He would not have ordered dialysis if it was not needed. Start it now....you risk further deterioration of your kidneys and a host of other problems if you don't .
The specialist knows how serious dialysis is, and he wouldn't advise it if he didn't think it was absolutely necessary. Get second and third opinions by all means, to put your mind at ease, but it's very likely that you'll get the same answer.
You should always get a second opinion. You have to have a vein and artery surgically sewn together to form a fistula in your arm, It takes approximately 8 weeks for this to become mature to use for dialysis. You should not wait until your kidneys have completely failed to start dialysis. You should ask your doctor for a referral to a class to teach you and your family about dialysis and what you can do to keep you healthy while on dialysis. Good Luck!!