- Watch your fluid intake. Keep track of the weight you gain on week days and on weekends. Once you get a few weeks data, look at it. What is your average gain? Then track your fluid intake for a week or two. Are you taking in too much? Can you change it? Fluid is such an important part of dialysis. The taking off of fluid is one of the main things people complain about.
2. Eat well. Be sure your diet has all kinds of foods in it., Keep on eye on the kidney diet recommended by your dietitian.
3. Come to dialysis prepared to nest for four hours. Make sure you are wearing comfortable clothes. Be sure you have something to do. Bring things that make you comfortable for those hours in the chair.
4. Sleep. Get rest and sleep as needed. If you feel tired during the day, take a nap if you can. Sleep those 8 hours a night recommended. If you have insomnia, ask your doctor what you can take. Use meditation or calming tea to soothe you to fall asleep. Turn off the electronics a half an hour before going to bed.
5. Attitude. Dialysis is tough. It is one of the hardest things to do. It is day in and day out a grind every week. The techs and nurses know it is. They want to know how you are doing. Bring your health problems to them. Tell them what is going on, so they can help you. If you have a good attitude towards your treatment times, you will be much happier. Remember- You can hate dialysis all you want.
A few places to go for help:
I hatedialysis.com forums and Facebook page
Dialysis Discussion Uncensored Facebook page
DaVita.com- major dialysis corporation
Fresenius.com- major dialysis corporation
I have a Facebook group for lifenotonthelist.com. It is for long term dialysis patients. Please visit. It is new.
Remember: Dialyze to Live, don’t Live to Dialyze!