Can you live without Kidney's?

Specialties Urology

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I am a home care nurse, and I have never run into this question before. I know of a close friend of the family that had one kidney removed because of cancer. He recently had some issues with a blockage in his ureter. Before he had his surgery, they told his wife that if they found cancer in the remaining kidney, they would remove that also. Luckily, everything turned out fine. I just have never heard of anyone relying soley on dialysis, without any kidneys. Has anyone actually seen a patient with both kidney's removed?

so sorry to hear about your father.sometimes when you're new to dialysis, it takes the body a while to adjust to dialysis. because his kidneys were removed the artificial dialyzer and dialysis machine has to now take the place of his once working kidneys, give it some time and please don't let him miss any treatments. it may not seem like it's helping but hopefully the more his body gets used to dialysis the better it will be. see if you can get your dad in a support group. where i work, we have pt's who mentor new pt's and give them advice on their treatments. good luck

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You know, I almost wish I'd never read this one.

A year ago--in November, 2007--I had both my kidneys removed because of Polycystic Kidney Disease (something about, my doctor thought the kidney cysts might turn into cancer, though that hadn't yet happened).

Ever since then--this year, relying only on dialysis (HD, then PD, then HD), has been nothing but hospital stays--one infection after another!!!

Now, call it a coincidence. Call it whatever it is. But before the nephrectomy, I hadn't had a hospital stay from 2003 until the PD catheter insertion in 2007. All of a sudden--take away the kidneys, and every time I turn around, I'm in the hospital, to have a catheter replaced, or to get over an infection, or some absurd thing.

Not only that, but not being able to urinate has been FAR more trouble than it's worth!!! I wish I could do that again--before I go nuts!!!

I'm sick of it. I wish I'd never had that surgery.

Yes, a person can live without kidneys. But no, it is NOT always easier that way. Unless the person already has cancer of the kidneys, I'd suggest NOT trying to live without them.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Need1Kidney - please talk with your dialysis nurse or nurse practitioner or nephrologist to get a better picture of WHY your kidneys were removed. Perhaps that will bring you some peace with your decision.

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Hi, I'm not a nurse, but work with a very special gal who has had both kidneys removed and is on diaylsis. I don't know what kind of dialysis. She never complains. In the last two months she has been hospitalized a couple of times. Once because her tummy became bloated, and kept swelling...and now because of seizures. She deflects any questions or concerns, so we, her coworkers don't know how to react around her sometimes, and we all worry one day we will be told she died. Thank you for this thread. At least now I know a person can live without kidneys but with dialysis. She appeared to rebound in the last couple of weeks, gaining a bit of weight, having her hair cut and colored, but with that ever present smile. But now..we are all wringing our hands. I realize you can not comment on her specific case, but can you tell me if what she is going through as mentioned here, is somewhat a normal range of setbacks? Again, thank you for your time and knowledge base!

:)

spjcbjp

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Hello again,

If this posts twice, please forgive me..! I should have mentioned that my co worker had a kidney removed at some point, and received a transplant. Then the other kidney quit working. The first of this year, 2010 the transplant quit working and both were removed. Thank You, Again

spjebjp

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

We wish her the best but don't feel we can comment on this.

I would just respect her privacy and offer you good wishes and help for your co-worker.

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Specializes in Medical.

Thank you, traumaRus, for posting what i felt but couldn't articulate

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Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.

this may be a strange question, but here goes anyway.

our neighbor's husband had a stroke about four years ago. he's made a good, but not complete recovery. she said his kidneys have been compromised by years of htn and his post-stroke meds.

she is happily counting on the fact that "he'll just have a transplant when the time comes." i (for once) kept my big fat mouth shut. then she said, "well, he would, wouldn't he?"

he wouldn't be a candidate due to the stroke, would he? it's scary sometimes. i wish people would realize we aren't walking talking nursing encyclopedias...

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Specializes in Medical.

I can't speak for individual transplant recipient requirements in the US, but I know here they're somewhat looser when there's a living donor - perhaps your friend's husband has a better shot is she (or another relative/friend) is prepared to donate a kidney.

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Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.
talaxandra said:
i can't speak for individual transplant recioient requirements in the us, but i know here they're somewhat looser when there's a living donor - perhaps your friend's husband has a better shot is she (or another relative/friend) is prepared to donate a kidney.

thank you,talaxandra. that would certainly be something to mention, should the subject come up agaaain.

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