Mom is 87 and was put on hemodialysis in October 04. I have watched her decline steadily, and feel helpless. She goes 3 times a week. Her mental state is declining. She has maybe one or two good coherent days a week and the rest of the time she is in another world, sometimes combative. Her appetite is gone, and I am trying to supplement with Boost. Recently, the doctor said she could go on the peritoneal dialysis, which I was glad to hear as I think it will be less strenuous. She is not mobile so the ride in the liftvan to the dialysis center only adds to the stress. Anyway, do you think that by doing the PD her mental condition may improve. That perhaps the hemo is not pulling enough? I would like to think that this is the cure-all, but I do not want to be overly optomistic. Any thoughts?

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Originally posted by ellen:
Mom is 87 and was put on hemodialysis in October 04. I have watched her decline steadily, and feel helpless. She goes 3 times a week. Her mental state is declining. She has maybe one or two good coherent days a week and the rest of the time she is in another world, sometimes combative. Her appetite is gone, and I am trying to supplement with Boost. Recently, the doctor said she could go on the peritoneal dialysis, which I was glad to hear as I think it will be less strenuous. She is not mobile so the ride in the liftvan to the dialysis center only adds to the stress. Anyway, do you think that by doing the PD her mental condition may improve. That perhaps the hemo is not pulling enough? I would like to think that this is the cure-all, but I do not want to be overly optomistic. Any thoughts?

I have been on dialysis for 11 years. I was fortunate to have a transplant that lasted for 5 years. I am currently on PD and I have also observed the same effects on people treated with hemo. It is hard to say why she feels the way she does. Nonetheless, PD offers continual dialysis whereas hemo is only three time a week. Therefore, she could improve by altering her treatment to PD. One thing to emphasize though; aseptic processing is absoultly critical. Remember that. The dialysate is a sugar solution the incubates in the peritoneum. I have experienced multiple infections of the peritoneum is it is not fun. Also, potentially life threatening. I hope this helps although I know there is little comfort for you at this time.