Is it possible to continue working despite living with dialysis? What do I need to consider in order to manage work and dialysis? Are there differences between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis in relation to professional life?
Life at work is an important part of our lives. It's no wonder that a diagnosis of chronic kidney failure can hit people hard, especially those in the middle of their working lives. But cheer up! After all, kidney failure or dialysis doesn't mean you can no longer hold down a job.
What changes in my body with kidney failure?
In chronic kidney failure, the function of your kidneys decreases, which increases the concentration of urinary substances in your blood. Substances that are normally excreted by your kidneys accumulate in your body. Your kidneys can be damaged by various causes. These include metabolic diseases (e.g. diabetes), high blood pressure, inflammatory processes, and various other diseases. The first signs of worsening kidney function include a new onset of high blood pressure, anemia, or urinary toxicity. Noticeable signs include a decrease in physical resilience, concentration & memory disorders, as well as muscle and bone pain, which can also have an impact on the exercise of your profession.
Can I continue to work despite dialysis?
Yes - in most cases, you can continue to work despite dialysis, at least part-time. In the case of hemodialysis, it is important that you can combine your dialysis times with your working hours and give your body the necessary rest to recover from dialysis. It is best to approach your employer early on and agree on a reduction of your working hours. They will certainly be willing to support you in the best possible way.
With the health challenges of dialysis, a healthy work schedule and interaction with your colleagues can also be a positive factor and give you more energy for your everyday life. However, you must discuss your individual case with your dialysis team and your employer. If you have the possibility and strength to work despite dialysis, it is definitely worth a try.
But how can I still work?
Depending on the type of dialysis you are on, there are different ways to work. Note, however, that each case must be considered and discussed individually. In concrete terms, this means that only you can decide for yourself whether and how much you work on dialysis. Your own feeling is decisive here, so always make sure that you feel comfortable with it yourself.
Work & Hemodialysis (HD)
After hemodialysis, how you feel can vary greatly from person to person. Some feel fit and able to perform immediately after treatment and can work right away on dialysis day. For others, blood pressure drops, they have low energy and suffer from nausea. Therefore, for some it is recommended to work only on dialysis-free days or before dialysis.
Most dialysis centers have two, sometimes even three shifts per day. Depending on how you feel before and after dialysis, you can discuss with your dialysis team what would be the best shift for you. For example, if you dialyze in the early morning, you can work from the afternoon if you feel well. Of course, you can also turn it around and work in the morning before going to dialysis in the late afternoon.
If your current condition is stable, you also have the option of night dialysis. This has other benefits as well, as longer dialysis times through the night can produce better results. It is best to talk to your treating physician about which of the possible options is best for you and whether night dialysis is offered at your center.
You can also discuss with your doctor whether home hemodialysis (HHD) is an option for you. This has the advantage that you can carry out the dialysis treatment independently with a dialysis machine from home. This saves you the time of traveling to the dialysis center and makes you much more flexible.
Work & Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)
You can theoretically change your peritoneal dialysis bag in any very clean, protected place. If there is such a place at your workplace, you can easily change your bag during your working hours. Changing the bag takes about 15-20 minutes for trained persons. While doing this, make sure that you do not carry out any or only light office activities, such as telephone calls or work on the PC.
We talked about everyday work with peritoneal dialysis with Carola in one of our podcast episodes. She has been doing PD for two years and continues to go to work normally in her previous job. If you're interested in what exactly that looks like, feel free to listen to the episode!
Is business travel possible with dialysis?
By the way, you can continue to take business trips even with dialysis. However, you have to make sure that there is a dialysis center at your destination where you can continue your treatment as usual. You can search for a suitable dialysis center using the Mizu app, for example, which also shows you the contact details of your preferred dialysis centers. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is also possible on business trips. Just make sure you take all the necessary materials with you.
Which professions are unsuitable for dialysis?
If you have the option of continuing to work as a person requiring dialysis, you should always take care of your shunt vascular access. Keeping a few points in mind when looking for the right job can already help you:
- Avoid heavy physical work
- Avoid rotating shifts and night shifts
- Look for a workplace without humidity, temperature fluctuations, dust and gases, or drafts.
- Keep away from activities with high time pressure or piecework.
It is also logically advantageous if your home, workplace, and dialysis center are not too far apart.
What do I need to discuss with my dialysis center if I want to work?
First and foremost, you should talk to your dialysis team about your personal needs. This means, for example, that you should discuss with your medical team which days and shifts would provide the best quality of life for you and are optimally compatible with your daily work routine.
Your dialysis team can also go over with you exactly what you should pay attention to when carrying out your specific job! This way, you are optimally prepared despite dialysis.
What do I need to discuss with my employer when I am on dialysis?
First of all, you should talk to your employer about your working hours. Depending on what works best for you, you can either have them adjusted individually or through a part-time model. Of course, it also depends on whether you are doing hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
You should also talk to your employer about possible hospital stays and the topic of transplantation. That way, both you and your employer will know exactly how to handle different situations and what to expect. Also, many issues regarding these exceptional cases are already regulated by law.
Will I get financial support if I work less because of dialysis?
The possibility of financial support for a reduction in your working hours due to dialysis exists in principle. However, it is not possible to make a general statement about how much and whether you will receive financial support in your individual case. To some extent, this also depends on your place of residence and varies from country to country.
Depending on where you live and what your specific situation is, there are also different types of assistance available, so it's best to find out for yourself. Local support groups or national organizations (such as the Bundesverband Niere in Germany) can help you better navigate this support.
