Dialysis
Dialysis Modality Education
Updated December 19, 2025
in Dialysis
I am curious to find out what your experience was with learning about the different types of dialysis?
If you crashed into dialysis, how long before you heard about different modalities?
Did anyone feel like they received good education about the different options before starting dialysis?
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From a patient that did Peritoneal, Hemo and currently doing Home Hemo dialysis, I've had my ups and downs with all of them. it wasn't until 3.5yrs ago, i was offered home hemo dialysis as an option. I tried peritoneal, but my peritoneal membrane failed, so that wasn't an option. Then doing hemo dialysis, I had 9 hemo ports fail and had to have a fistula put in. After 2 fistulas failed, i had a graph put into my arm which i am currently doing dialysis myself at home. I was told I'm running out of access options so i need this graph to last.
I was thankful my dialysis center offered home hemo dialysis, it fits my lifestyle as i'm constantly on the go...
So, did you know about all these modalities prior to choosing PD or did you learn about other options only after one option failed?
You have quite the extensive experience with all of the modalities! I wish things were easier for you but your experience makes you a valuble resource to other patients.
Haha, oh we know you don't let it hold you back! I see you on Capitol Hill and different advocacy events! Much love and respect for all the work that you do and your persistence to keep going despite all the difficulties. I am really glad you were able to find a modality that supports your lifestyle.
my first kidney failure, I wasn't aware I had options, in 2012 I was introduced to peritoneal dialysis and I immediately liked the idea that i can do dialsysis while I slept and was free from it in the day time. Then in 2022 when I went into my 2nd kidney failure, I immediately opt for peritoneal dialysis. 1 month into it, my peritoneal failed and I had to mention that I liked doing it at home, that's when I was told about home hemo dialysis. I went through the training and 3.5yrs later, I'm still doing it 6X per week.
I continue my advocacy without skipping a beat and doing home hemo dialysis allows that to happen. I'm able to travel with my machine and coordinate my deliveries to my destination. I've been across the country traveling, and on cruises.
I crashed into dialysis. At the time, I had a different nephrologist and I didn't receive any education or choice. I was told I was going on hemodialysis and I was rolled into surgery 2 hours later. I stayed on hemodialysis for four years which we realized that was not the best choice for my body. After an infected fistula, a ruptured fistula, third fistula resulting in steel syndrome, and about 50 catheters I was placed on Peritoneal Dialysis. I guess I learned through the process.
After my transplant, I became a dialysis and transplant mentor and that is truly when I received my education. I showed it to my nephrology team and I told them this would be great for patients. I know my dialysis center has a patient educator now when patients are approaching dialysis.
hey all-
I crashed into dialysis in 2007 when i first got diagnosed. i didnt know anything about any choices, just knew about the in center clinic. I didnt first learn about my treatment options until after my transplant funny enough, i wanted to make sure if my kidney were to fail that i knew all of my options. fast forward to 2020 when my kidney failed the second time, i knew that i wanted to try a modality that gave me more "freedom" I did PD for about a year.
Overall I didnt get great education from my careteam and i had to figure it all out on my own.
At the time I crashed into ESRD in 2012, I'm not exaggerating when I say the team rolled in a TV into my room with a VCR and showed me a video about dialysis LOL. Needless, to say, even in 2012 that was old school, so I went on Google to learn the difference. My neph was pushing for PD, due to my young age and level of activity at the time, and I'm very glad he did!
Reading the individual experiences it seems like, for the most part, patients have to figure it out. LaVise, as you mentioned, your center has made improvements to the education since you had your experience. So over all things might be slowly changing and some places are adapting educational programs or designating a modality educator. Then, the separate issues being is that not all patients see a nephrologist until they are in the hospital because they are so sick that they need dialysis right away. Which is also something that can be eliminiated with education if only people knew what to look for with kidney disease, which tends to be very silent until its not.
I guess we got work to do! @Berriosa1234 @Ehendsrson3 @onlylivingboyinny @LaVise0325
@Dom You are absolutely correct. I was already stage 4 when I was referred to a nephrologist and started dialysis within 3 months
This is such a good question! I have met with many many patients in-clinic (at Davita), as a modality choice educator/advocate. The systemic barriers, lack of education, and general fear and overwhelm is heartbreaking. I walk into these clinics and provide more connection, conversation, and proper education to patients and caregivers in the span of a 10 minute conversation than what they've received in the years they've been coming to the clinic. As someone who was diagnosed at 18 months old, I spent 22 years of my life managing CKD and had no education of dialysis until I was at death's door. A lot of modality choices were made for me- I had to backtrack and get vulnerable by talking to my in clinic team telling them I've had enough and my body cannot take hemodialysis anymore. One of the biggest things I advocate for is that dialysis companies, renal care professionals and organizations, etc need to be having more patient advocates sharing their story and speaking on how we can better the patient experience.
@fern22 absolutely agree with you've written, when i was transplanted and i worked for a tx program with the university of kentucky my job going to all dialysis clinics to be a conduit between pt/dialysis clinic/tx clinic the stories i would i hear and the lack of education was surprising in some respects and not in others, (it really depended on where in the state i was visiting) the rural areas of kentucky had some of the most vulnerable of pts. i continue to advocate for a more clearer education on modality choice for dialysis, its not always easy. but thanks @fern22 for doing what you do!