What Is It Like to Have a Child On Dialysis? How Will Dialysis Affect My Child?

What is it like to have a child who is on dialysis? How will dialysis affect my child? Hear from mothers with children on dialysis about their experiences caring for a child on dialysis.

For more information on kidney disease, treatment options, and kidney disease support, visit http://www.renalinfo.com/us.

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• kidney
• dialysis
• disease
• renal
• treatment
• treatement
• hemo
• hemodialysis
• peritoneal
• option
• home
• care
• time
• success
• life
• living
• child
• caregiver
• pediatric

[kemptonjones]

Just to let folks know, there's always the possibility kidney function will improve, at least it did for me after six years on PD (peritoneal dialysis). My PD catheter was removed two years ago, my kidney function is 33% and today I live a healthy, productive and comfortable life.

[RenalInfo]

@kemptonjones [part 1] In patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 5 who progress to needing dialysis support, the majority of patients will require a kidney transplant in order to come off dialysis. In rare instances, renal recovery may occur (~1.0%) and appears to be related to if a patient still has residual kidney function, the lack of high blood pressure or peripheral vascular disease, and underlying cause of renal failure.

[RenalInfo]

@kemptonjones [part 2] Moreover, in those who do recover function sufficient to come off dialysis, it may be short lived with the majority returning to dialysis within one year. Routine blood and urine studies may help identify if renal recovery is occurring, especially if urine output is improving. But remember it is important to discuss any concerns regarding renal recovery with your nephrology care team before you consider stopping dialysis therapy.

[angieskidney]

Thank you for this. I was 16 on dialysis and my school did not understand and forced me to take half days. I was on Peritoneal Dialysis instead of Hemo Dialysis. As a kid with kidney disease I just went through the motions and did what I was told but was glad I didn't have to start dialysis until I was a teen. Still, I was not very compliant. I wanted to be a normal kid. It was hard on my parents.