Before you have your first kidney dialysis treatment, you’re going to want to make sure you are as comfortable as possible. Watch the video and check out the links below to see my recommendations of must-have comfort items you need before your first dialysis session.
Durable Bag for Dialysis – https://amzn.to/3JFyc0v
Warm Blanket to Keep You Warm During Treatment – https://amzn.to/3prJONO
Great Pair of Wired Headphones – https://amzn.to/3ppeFdO
Wired and Wireless Bluetooth Headphones – https://amzn.to/3rdkcVe
Unisex Beanie to Keep Your Head Warm During Treatment – https://amzn.to/46tAr0Q
Add this Cool Scarf for Added Warmth – https://amzn.to/3JBX7Su
Check Out this Pillow for Added Comfort – https://amzn.to/435IkX8
This Tablet Would Be Perfect for Watching Shows and Movies – https://amzn.to/3PwDFdJ
Great Tool for Charging Your Devices On the Go – https://amzn.to/3CP1tlN
Click Here to See More of My Recommended Products and Services
Does Kidney Dialysis Hurt?
Does Kidney Dialysis Hurt? The short answer, YES and NO!
I’m literally sitting in my dialysis chair after being cannulated and hooked up to the machine. This is the final day in what I call my weekly part-time job before I have 2 days off.
I’m watching as a new co-patient is finishing up their first 3 dialysis treatments in their kidney story. From this person’s mouth I hear the familiar sound of audible yelps of pain from the cannulation needles being put into their arms.
I feel for this person because I’ve been in their position before. And depending on the day, I’m still in their position.
You see, the dialysis that keeps me alive is in-center hemodialysis. That means I travel to a clinic, my vital signs are taken, I’m poked by 2 large needles, and then I’m hooked up to a machine that removes toxins from my blood and removes fluid.
There can be 3 types of pain associated with being on hemodialysis.
1. Needle Pain – The first pain that can come from hemodialysis is the pain of being cannulated by 2 large needles. Usually 2 needles means just being poked twice, but, depending on the person doing the sticking and the quality of the stick, the times you have to be cannulated could vary. Some of the pain that comes from being cannulated can be mitigated by using a numbing spray directly on the area of the poke prior to the poke. Reach out to your medical team for more info on how to put that plan into action.
2. Cramping Pain – The second type of pain that can happen as a result of in-center kidney dialysis is cramping. This could happen if your fluid pull is too much. If your dry weight isn’t precise or you’ve gained real weight since your last treatment, you could experience some cramping. Oftentimes you could just stretch out a cramp. Other times may require you to quickly ingest something salty. Consult your medical on the plan that may work best for you.
3. Fatigue Pain – This third pain isn’t usually looked at as painful but it can be when it comes receiving dialysis treatment. Fatigue can play a big part in making other areas of your body hurt more either during or after a session. What may have not seemed like a big deal before may become a huge deal once you’ve sat for several hours.
Over time, you’re gonna learn how your body responds to hemodialysis and some of the things that were previously painful may diminish it even stop.
Pain from needles and cramping have all but stopped for me because I’ve learned what works for me, communicated that with my techs, nurses, and doctors, and together we’ve developed plans that keep the pain to a minimal.
As for fatigue, I see that as just part of the game. Some days are better than others and as long as I’m able to make my way here, I’ll keep striving for better dialysis outcomes.
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Can People With Kidney Disease Get Life Insurance
Can People With Chronic Kidney Disease Get Life Insurance
When it comes to answering the question, “Can People With Kidney Disease Get Life Insurance”, there is not just one easy answer. Check out the video below to hear about what I’ve learned in my own search for the right life insurance options for me.
How to Get on the Pancreas and Kidney Transplant List
How to Put Your Health First – How to Find the Best Tools to Monitor Your Health on a Daily Basis
When it comes to prioritizing in our daily lives, our health often takes a back seat to the things that feel are way more important. But when you really give it some thought, if our health were to take a turn for the worse, all those other prioroties would fall by the wasteside.
Today I wanted to present to you some health monitoring tools that I feel are must-haves for staying ahead of any health problems that may be headed your way.
Below you’ll find a video (Unmute video and turn speakers on) that highlights some of the best tools i’ve found for staying in the know about your own health.
Below you’ll find a list and links to Amazon of some of rhe must-have health tools mentioned in the video, as well as some additional tools that are equally as important when it comes staying on top of your health.
*Blood Pressure Monitoring – Wrist Cuff Blood Pressure Monitor
*Body Temperature Monitoring – No-Touch Forehead Thermometer
*Glucose Monitoring – Glucose Monitoring Kit
*Pop Blocked Ears – Eustachi Machine for Unclogging Ears*
*Medication Management – Best Pill Organizers to Fit Your Needs
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View From the Dialysis Chair
These first couple of words represent significant growth since the last time I wrote anything for this blog.
It’s been about a year since I last interacted and added fresh content here.
Over that year, I’ve started working a full-time job again, my mental health has improved, and I’ve added some great new people to my team.
These are the changes that I felt were crucial to convincing myself that I’m ready for a kidney transplant again.
As I write this from my dialysis chair, on a Saturday, with about an hour and a half left on my session, I am grateful.
I feel that as kidney warriors, we’re only as good as our planning and goal-setting. And my plans have been coming to fruition lately; even when I’ve had to implement back-up plan protocol because the original plan didn’t pan out.
This is just a quick capture of my thoughts for what I plan to continue going forward: writing something everyday with the hopes that it will inspire other kidney warriors to share their kidney story.