I have advanced COPD, CHF, and stage 4 renal failure, am I a candidate for diaylsis?

Answer 1

Hi,

First of all, I am wondering how your Renal failure have gone up to stage 4? Didn't you see doctors before? With the physical conditions that you presented I can see that you are really in need of medical assistance.

Anyway, we can not do anything about it anymore, we have to deal with the present situation. Visit the nearest hospital in your area and have a thorough medical examinations including all the laboratory work ups. Be advice of what is best to do. Your case is too complicated, and before I answer whether you are a candidate of dialysis or not, let me explain your disease process so you will understand better and learn how to take care of yourself.

COPD, a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease also known as COLD, Chronic Obstructive Lung disease or CAL, a Chronic Airflow Limitation and whatever it is will be named later on is a group of diseases that includes emphysema, asthma, bronchiectasis, and bronchitis which is characterized by progressive limitation of airflow into and out of the lungs. the airway resistance is high, the chest is distended and at times cannot return to it's normal state, and there is arterial gas imbalance. Depending on what type of COPD you have, you may present some of these symptoms:
1. Weight loss
2. Difficulty of breathing especially on exertion
3.Cough, wheezing, and crackles
4. Excessive sputum production
5. Barrel chest which is present in Emphysema
6. Cyanosis or bluish coloration of the skin due to lack of
oxygen.
7.Difficulty of breathing when lying down
8. Clubbing of fingers.
9. Chest congestion
10. Abnormal Gas exchange [Respiratory Acidosis and
Hypoximia]

CHF, a Congestive Heart Failure is inability of the heart to pump sufficiently and efficiently to meet the metabolic needs of our body and is characterized by inadequate cardiac function, accumulated fluids and sodium, increased cardiac demand, poor tissue oxygenation, and increased oxygen consumption and demand. Depending of whether your condition is a right sided or left sided CHF, the following are the presenting symptoms:
1. Increased heart rate [tachycardia] even during rest or
even the slightest exertion.
2. [ Tachypnea] abnormally fast breathing
3. Profuse sweating
4. Fatigue and irritability
5. Sudden weight gain
6. Difficulty in breathing and distress

Lastly, Renal Failure is partial or total loss of kidney function which is caused by the retention of wastes and fluids, and the inability of the kidneys to regulate electrolytes. Whether what you have is acute or chronic type, still the symptoms are almost the same, only the diffirence is that in Chronic Renal Failure, the progressive loss and deterioration of kidney function is slow and occur over a period of time. It occurs in stages, is irreversible, and results in uremia, and or end stage renal disease. CRF, a Chronic Renal Failure affects all of the body systems. This requires dialysis, and or kidney transplant depending on severity of the condition to maintain life.

Upon presentation of the above disease processes, we will understand that each of the given diseases are interrelated to each other. We can prevent the condition to aggravate by controlling the intake of fluids, in most cases of renal failure, there is restriction of fluids, and all fluids to be consumed are measured. Sodium intake is also restricted since sodium will make our body reserve fluids and will cause hypervolemia [excessive body fluids] owing to the inability of our body to excrete excess sodium and water.

There are two types of dialysis which doctor may perform, depending of what suits the patient best. Hemodialysis and Peritonial Dialysis.
Hemodialysis cleanses the blood from accumulated waste products, removes excessive fluids, maintains and restores the body buffer systems. It also maintains and restores the body's electrolyte level. An incision is done in one site whether the right arm, right shoulder, or the right thigh depending of what doctor decides the best site to insert the dialysing catheter.

Peritoneal Dialysis is a surgical insertion of a siliconized rubber catheter into the abdominal cavity to allow infusion of dialysis fluid. There are two types of peritoneal dialysis. One is CAPD, Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis which resembles the renal function because it is a continuous process and does not require for the machine for the procedure, and promotes client independence. APD, Automated Peritoneal Dialysis is similar to CAPD because it is also a continuos dialysis but requires a peritoneal cycling machine.

Next time you go visit your doctor you can ask him to explain to you further what type of dialysis is best for you.

Have a nice day and God bless.

Your nurse online,

Nurse Hunny Bunny

PS: You may visit my site Ask Nurse Hunny Bunny at www.nursehunnybunny.braveWeblog.com

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Copd Stage 4

Answer 4

You have to know that renal dialysis is only way to keep you alive for renal 4 failure.You definite not the candidate of renal transplant.There are no contraindication for chf,copd patient to receive renal dialysis,only make it more difficulty in management for dialysis.In your case almost no choice.Your doctor has to refer you for dialysis unless they let you died..

Answer 5

If your renal function worsens, likely yes. In the US, almost anyone that wants (& needs) it can get dialysis.

Set up a visit to the dialysis center you'd be using. Meet the staff and talk with the patients.

Answer 6

This is how my cat died at age 15 years and of course i had intentions for her to die at home like we all want for our pets,but it never really worked out as her stages caused blindness she became confused and walked into walls and the final thing was she suffered a fit in my arms,i of course rushed her to the vet who told me what i already knew she had to be put to sleep, and i begged the vet not to hurt her with needles i was a wreck,but of course had no option as my girl would suffer if she wasn't put to sleep that very hour,i can see why your not wanting to take him back there and to be honest i would be now feeling the same way as you about it,my cat stayed happy for about a week before it all happened so fast, it causes ulcers to form in the mouth and throat so they stop eating,they urinate lots as the body cannot absorb fluids so become dehydrated fast,my cat was fine on a tuesday but was not recognisable by the thursday of the same week it happens so fast at the last stages, so look out for the final stages, yellowing of skin and gums. bad breath, urlcers in mouth and throat making them not want to eat. skin becomes see through as they lose body fat rapidly. they become agitated as it causes headaches. they become weak and walk with a wobble. drink lots but still want more as soon as its been drank. sunken eyes due to dehydration. i know its scary to see them go through this i have been there and am still upset by it,but be sure to spend time with him cuddling and making so much fuss of him,they do purr even with kidney failure its amazing of how brave they are,my cat seemed so happy right to the very end thats what upset me more as she was brave,i never stayed while they put her to sleep i could not face seeing her have needles but the vet was kind and came to the waiting room after to tell me he had put her in a quiet room while she was injected so no stress,i also chose to give a sweater i had worn for them to wrap her in to bring her some comfort, sorry that your now facing this but just watch out for any signs that he is stressed,for now he seems happy with you so comfort him as it can happen fast,hope this helps but i know no words can help when this is happeing to our pets but knowing were not alone helps a little, bless him.

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Answer 7

that's an interesting question and I hope you'll find reasonable answers

Answer 8

believe nurse hunny bunny. very good layman explanation

Answer 9

Frankly, I am not convinced