Inspired by chatting to a couple of other posters on different threads, I thought I would start a group for anyone struggling with kidney failure, dialysis or after a transplant.
Kidney Disease is a massive problem in the U.K, but in my experience, when you say you have it, people don’t really understand what it means.
Personally, I have kidney failure, an eGFR around 20, and am expected to need dialysis or a transplant anytime from now really, although hoping I can hang on a bit longer.
Excuse me if I am a bit vague about some of the details as some are quite identifying.
Physically, I often feel absolutely fine, but on bad days am exhausted, dizzy, and my brain feels foggy. I bruise like a peach and my eye bags are horrendous, but I generally look ok which is why it is so hard for people to understand the illness. I work, exercise, act (mostly 
) normal!
The mental side is worse though. Waiting for the thing to happen that I feel means the end of the world but might not be. Fearing every blood test being worse than before, dreading the day I have to have dialysis. Dreading what that might mean for me and my family.
I don’t have anyone suitable, or offering to give me a kidney, and I feel so deeply uncomfortable about friends thinking I might be after theirs when I mention my illness.
I also feel so sad that my only hope is someone else’s tragedy (from a desceased donor) and this pains me mentally and makes me feel like a terrible person. I also know a transplant isn’t a cure all and comes with it’s own issues.
I just wish my kidneys worked!!
I wake up in the morning and forget for a second, before remembering and my heart sinks.
BUT!!!
Kidney failure has made me appreciate life in a way I never would before. I do not sweat the small stuff which is a lovely release.
Knowing about it has allowed us to plan, so financially we should be just about ok, and it won’t come as a huge shock when it all kicks off.
I would love to hear from anyone going through this, or anyone who has and can speak from experience of dialysis or a transplant. Feel free to rant a bit but also hopefully some positive stuff.
I am rubbish at checking threads but will try to come back to this one, even if no one else joins, it might serve as a nice resource for others to know they are not alone.
So...if you are renally challenged, welcome!!