Hi everyone. I just joined TuD and found this group. I have run the gamut of kidney stuff and have a lot to share. I was first diagnosed with protein in my urine in the 70s. Back in those days there was nothing to be done (they didn’t know what to do). In the 80s I was put on an ACE inhibitor and I’m sure that helped prolong my kidney function. Finally in 2001 my kidneys finally pooped out and I was on dialysis. I was on hemo and tried peritoneal dialysis (it didn’t work for me for a variety of rare reasons). In 2002 my wonderful cousin gave me a kidney and my kidney function has been fairly stable ever since.
I’ve done a ton of research for myself and friends so feel free to ask me any questions you might have. Hang in there. Nothing is ever as bad as you think it’s going to be. Not always a lot of fun, but definitely do-able.
Hi Eileen. I am now 9 years post transplant and my cousin’s kidney is doing well. It has been perfectly stable for the last 5 or 6 years.
I tried pd, but wasn’t able to do it because I had severe endometriosis and the fluid going in was extremely painful and the catheter kept clogging. All in all, it didn’t work well for me. It would have been my preferred method though as it’s easier on the body and takes less time. Also the diet is much less restrictive than on hemo.
Hi Cora, I found you through another post and also looked at the transplant buddies board for a sec. Looks like a lot of great information to check out. I'm going up tomorrow to a translant center in Salt Lake City for tests and an "orientation". I'm so scared and I guess kind of trying to come out of denial about teverything. My nephro wants me to get a pk translant soon. Thanks for being there for all of us!
Try not to get too freaked out about the whole thing (drugs, surgery, etc). While it's not a piece of cake, you will do fine and feel well at the end of it all. And there is something so liberating about a pancreas transplant - you have no idea.
