Hi:
New member here. I've lived with an ileostomy after receiving a total colectomy in 2008. After years of living with bouts of dehydration and declining kidney function, last week I started dialysis with the goal of moving to home hemodialysis. I'm 71 and feel like the dialysis is worsening dehydration, but I'm curious if anyone else has run into this and how they've handled it.
I cannot answer your question, but eventually you may be able to answer mine. I know that I'll face the prospect of dialysis soon enough, but I wonder about the quality of life that comes with it and whether or not, all things considered, it's worth it. I wish you the best as you continue your care efforts. HenryM
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When I found this web site, I didn't think its name had anything to do with actually meeting an ostomate but I later learned there were some folks who did meet and develop relationships. How good is that? That wasn't my intention. I definitely didn't want anyone to meet me. I felt broken and wasn't prepared to express those feelings. I thought it was a place where ostomates wrote about themselves, posed questions, shared thoughts, told jokes and, sometimes, just vented. I thought of it as a community of folks with similar interests and various degrees of experience. Mostly I found some of the most caring, selfless, wise and understanding people I ever imagined. I was so impressed with some of the writings; not because of their literary value but the way in which they addressed such a very complex environment. I read hundreds of exchanges and admired the way folks cared for each other. I became hopeful with my own situation and looked forward to the next day's offerings. Certainly some contributors stood out with their experience or particular skills in addressing some things but it seemed like a total effort with synergistic results. I felt blessed to have found this site. I still do.
Mike
I was on dialysis, and it's a strain on your body for sure... (after going into septic shock, my kidney function was only at 9%)... I recovered enough not to need it anymore. For now, I'm at 50% function. You're cold and have to pee a lot... well, in my experience, it was... Dehydration is one thing your doctor needs to talk with you about... once you hit a certain point, too much water/electrolytes do more harm than good... 🫂 You got this, and I'll be praying for you.