Advance Care Planning: Should I Stop Kidney Dialysis?

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Dialysis is a process that filters waste from your blood when your kidneys can no longer do the job. When you have kidney failure, you may have either hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.

Most people who stop dialysis die within a few weeks. As death nears, you may:

  • Feel sleepy and weak. You may sleep more and need help with walking, bathing, and using the toilet.
  • Have changes in breathing. You may have periods of rapid breathing and periods of no breathing.
  • See and hear differently. You may see or hear things that no one else does.
  • Be less hungry. You may eat and drink less than normal.
  • See changes in your urine and stool. Your urine may become dark brown or dark red, and stools may be hard to pass. You may stop making urine.
  • Feel temperature changes. You may sometimes feel very hot and at other times feel very cold.
  • Lose interest in daily life. You may lose interest in the outside world and the details of daily life, including the day or time.

You may have other changes related to kidney failure. Talk with your doctor about what to expect as your death nears. A dialysis center can also help with end-of-life planning.

Whether you decide to continue or stop dialysis treatment, take the time to let others know your wishes about your care. You can use a legal document called an advance directive to make sure that you get the medical treatment you want.

Tag » What Happens When You Stop Dialysis