Tips
Joined: 26 Apr 2003
Posts: 1
Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2003 5:33 am Post subject: How to prolong your life on dialysis
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. Do not use a catheter for more than is necessary. A fistula or graft <
>is far superior. It produces a better<
>flow rate and is less likely to get infected.<
><
>2. Be sure that nurses and technicians wash their hands or wear clean <
>gloves when beginning to work on you or your<
>machine. Neglecting to do this can result in cross contamination of <
>patients and infection.<
><
>3. Ask about surgery for hyperparathyroidism. Removing most of a <
>hyperactive parathyroid gland (common in renal failure) can prevent bone <
>loss and calcification of the vascular system.<
><
>4. Realize that your "dry weight" is just an approximate estimate. It <
>may vary from day to day. So you do not have to reach it exactly on <
>every treatment. Ask the staff to be flexible when it comes to your <
>reaching your dry weight.<
><
>5. Find out about some of the ways to help you remove fluid and toxins <
>during dialysis: for example you can have one or more "profiles" or <
>schedules of fluid removal or you can have salive administered during <
>dialysis.<
><
>6. Ask technicians and nurses to inform you when they adjust your <
>dialysis machine and tell you what they are doing and why.<
><
>7. Ask your doctor for the "biggest" prescription possible. The more <
>dialysis, in most cases, the better.<
>
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dialysis patient also
Joined: 27 Apr 2003
Posts: 7
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2003 1:47 am Post subject: more is better
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what does a patient do if the lab values come back bad and the doctor or clinic refuses to increase time or order larger kidney?
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Curious2
Joined: 27 Apr 2003
Posts: 1
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2003 4:16 am Post subject: Need to be firm
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I would put it in writing first and get off re-use. Then ask for help from an advocate.
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Worker Bee
Joined: 29 Oct 2002
Posts: 28
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2003 4:18 am Post subject: How should this be handled ptsw
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I would ask ptsw how to do this one. That would be the person with how to ask.
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dialysis patient also
Joined: 27 Apr 2003
Posts: 7
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2003 10:13 am Post subject: ptsw
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will begin search for different unit. my ptsw is "Clue-free" as she does not have much experience. seems to be a pass the buck kind of gal.
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ridgerunner
Joined: 11 Jan 2003
Posts: 101
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2003 1:10 pm Post subject: how to prolong your life on dialysis
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there is only one way you can live a longer and better life on dialysis in ths USA that is to do home treatment if this is not possible in your area them move to an area where it is given. that is what i did. you are not going to be able to change the adverage clinic if you try they will make your life hell and there is nothing you can do as there are no standards or guide lines. i know it is a shame and that what dialysis ethics is trying to change but the adverage patient is not going to do anything read double bind in the FYI section. also dialysis in the USA.i wish you luck. someone who has been there.
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Yeah Right
Joined: 27 Apr 2003
Posts: 1
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2003 11:50 pm Post subject: Yeah right
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1. Follow all the dialysis techs advice.<
>2. Trust that everything the doctor tells you.<
>
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Lin
Joined: 28 Oct 2002
Posts: 337
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2003 12:31 am Post subject: Knowledge
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is power! Read and learn as much as possible about dialysis and also the condition that ended you up on dialysis. Be an informed consumer. Start with this site, FYI and FRN. It's my hope that people get that education long before they end up on dialysis. Let's flood the dialysis marketplace with people who know what's going on! Guaranteed if all dialysis pts. were in the know things would HAVE to change. Lin.
