My Dad is 88 and has been on both hemo and PD. After a serious bout with peritonitis he is again on hemo, but suffers greatly from hypotension. Today on the way home he suffered a seizure and then another about 15 minutes later. His experience with dialysis varies according to the medical staff available --- is there anything that I can do as a family member and advocate? Is there anything I can do to prepare for these seizures? Thanks for being available...I just found you all and am really grateful.
Unfortunately, hypotension is a common problem with dialysis (hemo and peritoneal). The best remedy from my understanding is to regulate fluid intake to a minimum and make sure all treatments are attended. No skipping. Generally, the more compliant your father is with the diet, the better his health will be and the complications, hypotension in this case, will be less. However, dialysis is a physically demanding treatment and at your fathers age can be even more so. His treatments are removing waste from the blood in a much more concentrated time than what normally operating kidneys would. It can be very hard on your father. I wish you the best of luck and regret that I can't offer you a solution to your problem. If this is a common problem, I would suggest a thorough examination by a doctor to remedy this. Good luck!
Posts: 575 | Location: Midwest | Registered: 22 December 2002
