Posts by darkraven2

coastalheron572 said:Hi everyone. My mother recently started peritoneal dialysis. The hospital staff mentioned there might be a pouch or bag for the catheter so it doesn't just hang down to her knee. I haven't been able to find anything online. Does anyone know what this is called? Or where I can buy one? Thanks.

My husband just tucks it under his waistband. It’s less noticeable that way—it's still a sensitive thing to carry around, after all.

Jamie Stewart said:Hey everyone, my mom is getting ready for dialysis. She’s heading in soon for those tests to see if her kidneys can still manage on their own before they pull the trigger on the machine... but obviously, we know dialysis is coming. We're all pretty stressed out; from what I've heard, people on dialysis don't have much time left. How do you guys deal with that reality? Also, one big question that's causing some friction between me and my mom: is she allowed to have even a little bit of salt, or does she have to cut it out entirely when kidney issues are involved?

It depends on which type of dialysis we're talking about. If it's hemodialysis, she needs to cut back on salt—not necessarily eliminate it completely—but she'll need to minimize fluid intake significantly. That means soups and broths count toward her liquid limit. Fresh fruits and vegetables are mostly off the table then. However, with peritoneal dialysis, things are much more flexible. Almost anything goes.

Hello. My husband (37) has lived with Type 1 diabetes for years. A year ago, his kidneys failed, so we opted for peritoneal dialysis so he could keep working. It isn't easy—for him or for any of us. Dealing with chronic illness is becoming an uphill battle. I’ve overextended myself, taking on everything from managing his treatment to every other daily task. Now, I feel less like a partner and more like a servant. I'm losing my strength and my patience. The hardest part to swallow is the realization that I won't have a man by my side anymore; I just have another child to care for. Does anyone have actual advice? Please don't just tell me to see a therapist. I need practical ways to endure this without losing my mind. Thanks.