will dialysis shorten your life?
By luningning
@luningning (43)
Philippines
December 8, 2008 6:00am CST
a colleague has been suffering from kidney disease for some time. she had also mastectomy five years ago. her creatinine reading is 12 which is way high up from the normal reading of 1. she has edema now which includes her legs, hips, stomach and face. we are really worried about her condition. her husband has transferred to a job near their residence so he can be with her always. her doctor advised her to undergo dialysis.her siblings, who are here and in the US, offered to pay for all the medical and living expenses. however, she refused to have it, believing that dialysis will only shorten her life. her brother-in-law had dialysis and died two months after that. will dialysis really shorten the life of a patient?
2 responses
@ejohn82 (155)
• India
8 Dec 08
Dialysis is adviced when kidney is not capable of removing toxins from the body. Dialysis removes toxins from the body as the kidney naturally cannont function on its own. The oedema is the of toxins remaining on the body which actually should be flushed out of the body. You said her doctor adviced her to undergo dialysis that means her kidney is not performing its function. Toxins remaining in the body is definitely harmful. Check with her doctor whether kidney can be transplanted. For that you will require to find a suitable donor. Do not prolong visit a good doctor. If required go for a second opinion. Do keep us posted.
@luningning (43)
• Philippines
9 Dec 08
yeah, thanks. the family contacted a doctor from UK who does not recommend dialysis. her records are now sent there for evaluation.
@Lee_Rites (845)
• United States
8 Dec 08
My friend's brother was on dialysis for about 20 years or so. Dialysis keeps you alive. Not getting dialysis if you need it can kill you.
@luningning (43)
• Philippines
9 Dec 08
yeah. thanks though. her doctor advised the relatives to let the patient make the decision whether to have dialysis or not.
