Do you think dialysis patients are willing and able to do physical activities? What barriers exist and what, if anything, have you been able to do to overcome these?

I am a hemodialysis patient (18 months) that works out intensely prior to each treatment. Exercise has worked very well for me and I strongly encourage other patients to try it. However, it is very discouraging because none of the patients at my center or on the internet seem interested in trying.

My theory is that they are either waiting to die or have a transplant. To an unknown degree yet certainly to some degree the medical professionals encourage this line of thought.

I have had a failed transplant after cancer that makes another transplant either impossible or distant. So I am not able to put my hopes in a transplant. This had a lot to do with my will to exercise. Having had prior experience in intense training had prepared me for the very gradual approach that was needed and prepared me for the somewhat extreme difficulty of getting going. It would be tough for an unexperienced dialysis patient to not get discouraged and to comprehend the level of effort that is needed for strong gains.

I run 3 to 5 miles each workout prior to each dialysis session.

[This message has been edited by Sidney (edited 01-02-2000).]