I’ve been thinking about this a lot recently. Most appointments focus on blood results, medications, blood pressure, and kidney function, but very little is said about the emotional side of living with CKD.
Some days I cope well, but other days it’s the uncertainty that gets to me more than anything else. Waiting for test results, wondering if my kidney function has changed, and thinking about what the future might look like can be mentally exhausting.
I’m curious if anyone else feels the same.
How do you deal with those days when your mind seems more tired than your body?
Has anything genuinely helped you stay positive or stop worrying so much?
I’d really like to hear how others manage because I imagine I’m not the only one who feels this way.
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Hi, I totally agree, the emotional and mental side is not treated or considered by any medical people I have met.
I have had specific counselling from a counsellor specialised in kidney failure, which gave me the chance to process things better.
That was available from kidney care uk (sorry for mentioning another charity…)
It was ok and did help. I’ve also had a lot of regular CBT counselling, which has helped too in re wiring how I think.
But I would say that 75% of the time I am ok physically, at Stage 5 CKD, but mentally I am tired and there is a lot to think about with operations and dialysis looming now
Mentally, I walk a lot each week, at least 2 miles every day in the local countryside and achieve around 20-25 miles typically a week. I also read books on Stoic philosophy, which isn’t as boring as it may sound, as it has helped bring me back to focus on now more, than worrying about what ifs or what’s already been
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I have a referral to a renal psychiatrist and thats helping. It doesn’t help that have some other stressful things going on, not mention a traumatic illness a few months ago . I’m blaming myself for not getting medical attention when I first got ill rather than it’ll pass. It didn’t and ended up in the ITU.