Talking About Your Condition

Speaking openly about your condition can be a challenge but it may help you establish trust and gain the emotional and practical support you need to live well on dialysis.

Talking about your condition can ease the difficulty of adjusting to life with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Starting conversations with the people you love about the new realities you are facing may be challenging but worth the effort. Their help and support will be invaluable throughout your treatment journey. Sharing your feelings with them early on and often will ensure that you have every opportunity to discuss both yours and their thoughts, concerns, needs and expectations.

Man and woman sitting in their home, talking and enjoying a cup of coffee

Your Spouse, Partner or Significant Other

If you have a spouse, partner, or significant other, you may prefer that they are your main source of emotional support throughout your treatment journey. This is especially the case if they are your main carer or support during your dialysis treatment. It is important that you discuss with him or her how your treatments will affect daily life for both of you and make plans for how to cope with any different roles and expectations in your household.

You and your partner should share your thoughts and expectations about how they will be able to help you with your treatments. If you will be doing PD or at-home HD, you might ask them whether they are able to help you perform care at home. If you will be having in-centre HD, you might ask whether they can drive you to your appointments. You may also want to discuss which treatment option will work best for them.

If you are open about needs and expectations from the very beginning of your treatment journey, it may help to maintain a healthy relationship.

Older couple discussing dialysis therapy options with their adult children

Your Family

At some point in your treatment journey, you may want to tell your family about your condition. Being open about your condition with those closest to you may help them understand what you are going through.

Your family can also be a strong support network. For example, they may be able to take you to and from treatments. If you are on PD or home HD therapy, they may support you by helping you with your treatment. Otherwise, they may be willing to help you fulfil personal or family duties, like household errands or caring for small children.

Dialysis patient and their spouse, spending time with friends outdoors

Your Friends

Your social activities might be affected depending on your treatment choice. But this does not mean an end to your social life as you know it. Communicate to your friends that you can still participate in the activities you loved before your diagnosis, although you should check with your clinician. Your friends will likely be open to exploring some new activities that you can do together. If you choose to explore in-centre haemodialysis (In-Centre HD), you may even make some new friends during therapy!

Man on a coffee break talking about dialysis therapy with a colleague

Your Employer and Co-workers

You may still be able to work while on dialysis. And it might be important that you do so for your physical, mental and financial health. If you need to adjust your work schedule to align with your treatments, it may be beneficial to be open and honest with them about your condition.

Your professional life will probably influence your treatment needs, and vice versa. If you work during the day, it might be a good idea to ask your clinician if you can perform dialysis at night. If treating during the day works better for you, you can ask your employer if they might consider giving you a part-time schedule or making your working hours more flexible. Together, you should be able to figure out a way to balance your treatment and your professional responsibilities.

If you need to speak with someone about how to create and maintain a work-life balance that suits your physical and emotional needs, talk to your healthcare team. They will be able to connect you with the resources you need.

Doctor talking to patient in a clinic about their dialysis options

Treating Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) on Your Own

If embarking on your treatment journey alone makes the most sense for you, be aware that you can go to your healthcare team for advice and resources that will help make life on dialysis easier. They should be able to advise you on how to get the most out of treatment and how to balance treatment with your professional and personal responsibilities or direct you to someone who can. Maintaining an open dialogue with your healthcare team about your condition is a great way to take advantage of the helpful support network they can provide.

Where to go next?

Intimacy

It is possible for you to maintain intimate relationships while you are on dialysis. Learn more about intimacy and dialysis.

Man and woman enjoying riding their bikes outside

Exercise and Dialysis

Staying physically healthy can help you get the most out of your treatment. Learn about ways you can be active while on dialysis.

Man and his wife waiting for a train together at a train station

Travelling on Dialysis

It may be possible for you to travel while you are on dialysis. Learn more about travelling with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Treatment Options

Live Well