The dangers of daily dialysis

[Gus]

@Bill_Peckham

I’m not sure if Gus and I have different conditions or if we are using different words to describe the same problem. To me what I experience feels like what other people call arthritis. I don’t have diabetes so I have to believe that my neuropathy is a result of having ESRD for 17 years (it was 17 years ago this week that I received a kidney from my brother).

From what I have heard and read inflammation is the common thread connecting neuropathy, joint pain and amyloid deposits in long term dialysis patients. Minimizing inflammation is a key part of my strategy for long term health with ESRD.

I think you touched on something when you wrote “It could be as simple as worrying too much about dialysis and not getting enough exercise or could be dialysis related. “ It can be very hard to sort out what is going on when you are on dialysis. I’m sure we all know people without kidney disease who have low energy or who wake up stiff and/or sore. Often exercise helps but it can be very hard to go to the gym when you feel stiff or tired. For me the key is to try. If I listened to my inner voice when I first woke up or after work, before heading to the gym, I’d accomplish much less. Most days I just keep moving and the joints start to loosen up but I don’t know how you could tell what is possible unless you challenge yourself to try.

Dori – I thought that there was research to suggest that more frequent/longer dialysis could remove b2 amyloid but that ultra pure dialysate and biocompatible surfaces reduce the production of amyloid. I couldn’t find a citation in my brief search but I thought I saw it cited before.

Because we’re both on dialysis most likely the symptoms are the same…

Arthritis or inflamation on me is affected more with weather changes, but still resides at a minimal level…

Bone pain comes on off and is varies for me. Sometimes it’s bad and sometimes it’s not.

As for carpal-tunnel…well, mine is pretty bad. I can’t make fists with my hands anymore, can’t tie my shoe-laces either. …I already had carpal release surgery on my left wrist and it worked…pain is all gone but the damage is already done…

Am sure some of you heard the saying “Spiders crawling all over your body”…if you never heard of that then it’s a hint that your nearing your last days of life on dialysis…a slow killer just crawling its way up…

So ya, long term dialysis is no good, but now we don’t know whether daily dialysis will save the day… :? I guess the truth about this will come very soon… :roll: