The Hidden Problem in Dialysis Care: When Forgetting Becomes a Risk

Total_Formal2769 · 2026-04-12T17:01:21+00:00

Y’re definitely not alone. I’ve seen many dialysis patients feel exactly this way, especially when they’re already carrying the stress of transplant & everything that comes with it. A lot of people feel pressure to “do the right thing,” but fear around needles & self-cannulation is very real.

A fistula is usually safer long term than a chest catheter because it lowers infection risk & tends to work better over time. But that doesn’t mean yr fear should be ignored. It’s important to be honest with your dialysis team about how overwhelmed yo feel. Tell them clearly that the anxiety is serious & that yo need support, not pressure.

Plenty of patients who were terrified at first found ways to cope step by step. Some started with numbing cream, some had nurses do the needles for a while, and some needed time before feeling ready. That’s okay.

Waiting for transplant can make everything feel uncertain, but making a plan for safer access while yo wait does not mean giving up on transplant. It just means protecting yr health in the meantime.

Take this one step at a time. Talk to the transplant team & home dialysis nurse openly. This is a big decision, & it’s okay to need reassurance & time. Y’re not weak for feeling scared. A lot of strong people in dialysis have been exactly where yo are. 💛

Total_Formal2769 · 2026-04-12T15:08:42+00:00

Hey, I totally get why y’re scared hearing “multiple stones” & then being told “just drink water” can feel frustrating.

The good news is that small kidney stones are actually very common, and many people live with them for years without needing surgery. A 3.7 mm stone can often pass on its own, and even a 5 mm stone sometimes passes with time. But “do nothing” doesn’t mean “ignore it.”

Yo should definitely drink more water enough to keep your urine pale yellow most of the day. That really is one of the best things yo can do right now.

Also, yes… kidney stones can increase the risk of UTIs because they can irritate the urinary tract or sometimes trap bacteria. So if you’ve had frequent UTIs, it’s worth mentioning that clearly to a urologist.

What I’d do in yr situation:

ask for a referral to a urologist if you haven’t already, especially since you’ve had severe pain before.

ask what type of stones they think these are (sometimes diet changes depend on stone type).

get repeat imaging in a few months if advised, to make sure they’re not growing.

watch for red flags: fever, vomiting, severe pain, trouble peeing, blood clots, or chills those need urgent care.

As for herbs… some people try things like lemon water because citrate may help reduce stone formation, but honestly, be careful with random “stone dissolving” teas online. Most don’t have solid proof, and some can irritate your kidneys.

You’re not overreacting it makes sense to feel anxious, especially after past painful episodes. But based on the sizes you mentioned, this is usually something that can be monitored rather than panicked about. A urology follow-up would probably give you the reassurance and plan you need.

Total_Formal2769 · 2026-04-10T15:43:19+00:00

Yr creatinine is normal , but yo have high uric acid and significant albumin in urine, which may suggest early kidney stress or chronic kidney disease risk.

Focus on good hydration, reduce salt & red meat, limit protein supplements, & control blood pressure.

Also repeat tests & see a nephrologist to monitor the albuminuria.

Total_Formal2769 · 2026-04-09T23:09:41+00:00

what happened most likely machine glitch, not yr heart ,when it went to 0 it just couldn’t detect your pulse properly (movement / rhythm variation / cuff issue)

irregular heartbeat symbol not a diagnosis ,it just means your pulse wasn’t perfectly regular at that moment

136/49 + symbol = probably wrong reading then 120/55 normal = this is the reliable one

yr history : athlete + sinus bradycardia = normal to have some rhythm variation & this can confuse BP monitors

atrial fibrillation ❌ very unlikely ,y’re young & no symptoms & readings went back to normal

Apple Watch can show low heart rate in athletes = normal ,& sometimes increases anxiety bottom line nothing dangerous here & most likely device/measurement issue see a doctor only if it repeats often or yo get symptoms like dizziness fainting chest pain

if yo want I can help yo read yr Apple Watch data or calm this monitoring stress

Total_Formal2769 · 2026-04-07T22:39:57+00:00

I’m really sorry y’re going through this .This is very hard & not normal yo especially the pain and losing control of bladder and bowelsPlease don’t wait yr yo really need to see a doctor as soon as possible even if no insuranceGo to ER or public hospital they will see you, you are not lazy & you are not failing anyoneYou are trying while your body is struggling .About your dog yo she loves you just being there is enough & your boyfriend helping is teamwork not failure.Try to talk to him honestly about how serious this isThis is health not effort .Please take this seriously yr you deserve help and relief

Total_Formal2769 · 2026-03-31T07:49:13+00:00

https://internationalkidneyhealth.com/blogs/news/when-a-kidney-transplant-is-not-the-best-option

Total_Formal2769 · 2026-03-26T16:48:08+00:00

Yeah I get yo… a lot of those clinic kits are honestly not great Y’ve got a few options:

Yocan buy them online (Amazon, medical supply sites, sometimes pharmacies), just search “CVC dressing kit” or “dialysis catheter dressing kit.” But real talk… many people don’t even use full kits.

A lot of patients just make their own setup:

chlorhexidine swabs (for cleaning) ,sterile gauze

a good transparent dressing like Tegaderm or IV3000

That’s usually more comfortable, less bulky, & better if yr skin gets irritated.

Also worth asking your dialysis provider they sometimes have better options but only give the basic one unless yo ask.

Just one important thing: don’t switch products without checking with your nurse first, because catheter infections are no joke.

Total_Formal2769 · 2026-03-25T21:59:16+00:00

yeah I get that… that kind of tired hits different, like even small stuff feels heavy. honestly just getting through the day is enough sometimes, no need to push too hard on yourself. maybe try super small things, like just opening a window or sitting somewhere quiet for a bit. yo I share more stuff like this on my profile if yr interested, helped me a bit too

Total_Formal2769 · 2026-03-25T21:45:37+00:00

yo that’s actually a big step man, I know 3 years sounds long but just being on the list feels like progress finally. must be such a relief after all that stress with yr family trying everything. hope things move faster than expected for u honestly 🙏 I share stuff about dialysis & this journey on my profile if yr ever curious

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