| Author | Subject: Is there a rough timeframe for renal failure |
| Nancy | Posted At 21:44:31 05/10/2002 My mom has been diagnosed with a kidney disease for which there is no treatment (cholesteral embolic disease). She has decided not to go for dialysis. She is currently experiencing a severe loss of appetite and some fatigue. Can anyone tell me what order the symptons of renal failure usually follow and also, how long of a period of time are we talking about. Her doctor felt her kidneys were functioning at under 15%. |
| Beth Witten | Re: Is there a rough timeframe for renal failure (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 16:25:40 05/15/2002 A patient who has 15% kidney function is considered to be in kidney failure and needs treatment soon. Some start when their function is at 15%, especially if they have bothersome symptoms. I believe you'd posted earlier that your mother has a poor appetite. This is one symptom of kidney problems. Others include such things as fatigue, low energy, anemia, puffiness or swelling, bad taste in the mouth, confusion, and sleepiness. If your mother hasn't been referred to a kidney specialist (nephrologist), I'd suggest that you ask for a referral right away. Your mother should learn as much as possible about kidney disease and treatment choices so she can make the best decision for her. It also helps to talk with others who have already experienced kidney failure and are coping well with it. People can live full lives with kidney failure. We believe it helps if they learn all they can, keep a positive attitude, and participate actively in their care. If you would like to know more about kidney disease, Life Options has developed Kidney School (www.kidneyschool.org). Kidney School consists of modules on different topics related to kidney disease. The modules take about 20 minutes each to complete and are interactive, asking questions before and after, and even providing an individualized action plan and certificate of completion after each module. Kidney School is something that you and your mother could do together. |
| Desz | Re: Is there a rough timeframe for renal failure (Currently 1 replies) Posted At 13:50:44 10/05/2002 Hello, I am a 36 year old female who has been experiencing many different kinds of physical ailments. I had skipped a family doctors exam and went straight to the source I thought would be able to diagnose me. I went to a gynocologist. For about one week prior I had been experiencing pain in my lower pelvic region along with the left side where my ovary is. The pain had increased to all over except, i thought, to my right side. He doesn't know what it is. I told him that I have endometriosis and had once had an ovarion cyst drained that was the size of a grapefruit. I thought maybe this was the problem now. He gave me antibiotics and sent me home; telling me to call back in two days if the symptoms did not improve. Well, this is the third day and today I am having terrible aching and stabbing pain in my lower to middle area of my back. I think where the kidneys are. Anyway, I am truly afraid. Should I go to the doctor? or wait to see if the symptoms go away after taking my antibiotics for ten days? I also experience sharp pain down the left inside of my leg. The gynocologist is treating me for an infection inside my female parts. Am I going to the right doctor? Is there any cause for immediate concern. Thank you, Desz |
| Beth Witten | Re: Is there a rough timeframe for renal failure (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 22:42:41 10/06/2002 Your question is one that would be best answered by a physician. Pain is odd in that you don't always feel it where the problem actually is. Don't wait until you've finished taking your antibiotic. Call and report your changing symptoms to either your gynecologist or your family physician. Kidneys are fist sized organs located on each side of your backbone above your waist. If you're having pain in this area, it's possible you could have a kidney infection. However, your physician is the best one to diagnose where your problem is and what treatment would be best. |
| becki | Re: Is there a rough timeframe for renal failure (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 17:53:06 05/29/2003 My mother has cancer which has caused a blockage to her kidneys. She has decided to forgo any treatment. What can I expect to happen next? She has 25% of her kidneys now and hospice has been brought in to manage any pain. I would like to help her as much as possible, but it's hard when neither of us know what to expect. |
| Beth Witten | Re: Is there a rough timeframe for renal failure (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 17:17:10 05/31/2003 Obviously, your mother has the right to refuse dialysis. I hope your mother has a nephrologist who is consulting on her case even though she isn't planning to do dialysis. A nephrologist can explain what is likely to happen as your mother's kidneys fail more and make sure that she is comfortable. A person is considered to have chronic kidney failure when their kidney function is 15% or less. Your mother's kidney function could change rapidly or it may take a while for her to die of kidney failure. I'd strongly suggest that you read the National Kidney Foundation brochure that explains what happens when someone chooses not to start dialysis. You can find this on the Internet at www.kidney.org/general/atoz/content/dialysisnot.html. This may give you and your mother ideas of questions to ask her doctor. I'm glad that your mother has hospice services. The staff of hospice agencies are skilled and able to help the patient with medical, emotional, and spiritual needs. The hospice agency probably talked with your mother about completing an advance directive so her wishes will be carried out as she'd like them to be. It's hard to lose a parent even when death is expected. Hospice staff can educate, communicate with, and support the family through the dying process. I'd suggest that you take advantage of all the services hospice provides. |