Dad aged 93 has kidney function of 11.

[SausageCrush]

I'm just wondering what this means. Is it 11%? If so it sounds bad.
My Dad is already frail and pretty much house bound.
He had a blood test last week and the renal consultant phoned him on Friday and told him his kidney function had dropped from 13 down to 11.
He has been refused treatment (other than water tablets) because of his age and frailty.
I would be grateful if anyone has any experience with this.

Whenever they talked about my mum's kidney function it was always in %. She was steady at 9% for years with no treatment other than water tablets, but they did put in a fistula ready for when she needed it. Then it dropped to 7% and they started dialysis when she was around 77 years old.

She is 82 and dialysis is very hard on her now, extreme migraines for hours after most sessions, painful muscle cramping and it is taking its toil on her heart.

Going by my mum's experience they wouldn't start dialysis if he stabilises at 11%, they would still wait and see. The problem will be if he drops further.

I'm afraid my dad was the same, he was admitted to hospital & sadly passed away 9 days later. All I can say is that it was peaceful, his body gradually shut down & he was sedated for the last 24 hours.

Thank you for that wings.
I am reassured that your Mum was at 9% for years.
It means this might not be 'the end' for my DF yet!
Dialysis sounds rough. We've already been told he won't be able to have that.

Sorry for your loss Nat.
Going peacefully is the best we can all hope for.
That gives me some optimism, but reading the pp it could be a while off yet. I really don't know what to expect.

@Nat6999 sorry for your loss. It is good to hear that it was peaceful in the end, I have read similar. Mum and dialysis really aren't getting on anymore, she is calling ambulances and being admitted to hospital at least once a month for a week or more at a time with heart issues.

The consultants have recently had the quality of life vs continuing treatment conversation with her, telling her it won't get better and suggesting it is now (the time) an option to stop, it is so hard to watch, but she is determined to hang onto whatever treatment is available, regardless of the side effects, and life to the bitter end. Refused to sign a DNR.

@SausageCrush at your dad's age dialysis would be really tough. Hopefully he'll stick at 11% with no further symptoms for a while yet and not deteriorate further, but it is a huge unknown and worry. Good luck.

@WeAllHaveWings Sorry to hear about your Mum. I lost mine last year - she would be in and out of hospital with fluid buildup and heart /breathing problems but the diuretics buggered her kidneys. It was a race to the bottom - you kind of really need your heart and lungs working, but when the kidneys fail it messes up the blood electrolyte levels which creates muscle issues, including (the heart being a muscle) heartbeat irregularities...
Sigh.