[Sue Damones]

How long can a person stay on dialysis? Life? 5 years? 2? 10? I have no clue. Someone asked me the question the other day and I had no idea! (Although I'm sure it varies greatly based on the person's age, comorbidities, etc etc).

Thanks!

[diabo]

We have a woman who has been on for 25 years with the original fistula still working fine. Well developed above and below elbow. She does use a walker due to a hip fracture a couple years back, but she gets around fine with it.

[traumaRUs]

I too have several pts on hemodialysis >20 years.

[Sue Damones]

Wow, thats amazing. How long do you have to be on dialysis before you're considered a "Chronic renal failure" instead of "Acute?"

[traumaRUs]

Pretty much when you go to dialysis you are considered chronic. However, some pts do "regain function" and come off dialysis.