Skip to main content
  1. Careers
  2. Resource Center
  3. About Us
  4. Contact Us
  5. Español
Thrive On
Fresenius Kidney Care
  • PatientHub
  • Community

Find a Dialysis Center

Find a Dialysis Center

Find a Dialysis Center
Permission to detect location was denied Current location could not be determined
    Try a detailed search

    Need help? Call 1-888-373-1470

    1. About Kidney Disease
      1. OVERVIEW
      2. Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease
      3. Kidney Disease Stages
      4. What Is a Nephrologist?
      5. What to Expect with CKD
      6. Kidney Disease Management
      7. Understanding Acute Kidney Injury
      8. How Kidneys Work
      9. Take a FREE CLASS on Kidney Disease
    2. Treatments
      1. OVERVIEW
      2. Dialysis Basics
      3. Benefits of Home Dialysis
      4. Home Peritoneal Dialysis
      5. Home Hemodialysis
      6. Sign up to Talk to a Home Dialysis Expert
      7. In-Center Hemodialysis
      8. Transplant
      9. Insurance & Managing Costs
      10. Choosing Not to Treat
    3. Life On Dialysis
      1. OVERVIEW
      2. Your Emotional Health While on Dialysis
      3. Staying Engaged
      4. Staying Healthy
      5. Dialysis Travel Services and Information
      6. Tips for Loved Ones
      7. PatientHub
    4. Recipes & Nutrition
      1. OVERVIEW
      2. Recipes
      3. Managing Your Diet
      4. Fluid Management on Dialysis
      5. Dialysis Diet Planning
      6. Cookbooks
    5. Thrive Central
      1. CKD
      2. Dialysis
      3. Diet & Nutrition
      4. Stories
      5. Wellness
      6. See All
    COMMUNITY
    PATIENTHUB
    HOME
    1. I Have Kidney Disease
    2. I’m Preparing For Dialysis
    3. I’m on Dialysis
    1. Take a FREE CLASS on Kidney Disease
    2. Resource Center
    3. Recipes
    4. Request Patient Travel Services Information
    5. Sign Up for Our Newsletter

    Find a Dialysis Center

    Find a Dialysis Center

    Find a Dialysis Center
    Permission to detect location was denied Current location could not be determined
      Try a detailed search

      Need help? Call 1-888-373-1470

      1. About Us
      2. Contact Us
      3. FAQ
      4. Glossary
      5. Media
      6. Careers
      7. Español

      Need help? Call
      1-888-373-1470

      • facebook
      • twitter
      • youtube
      1. About Kidney Disease
        1. Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease
          1. Symptoms
          2. Risk Factors
          3. Causes
          4. Diagnosis and Testing
          5. GFR Calculator
        2. Kidney Disease Stages
          1. Stage 1
          2. Stage 2
          3. Stage 3
          4. Stage 4
          5. Stage 5
        3. What Is a Nephrologist?
        4. What to Expect with CKD
        5. Kidney Disease Management
          1. Kidney Diet Basics
          2. CKD Medications
          3. Your Kidney Care Team
          4. Diabetes
          5. High Blood Pressure
        6. Understanding Acute Kidney Injury
          1. Acute Kidney Injury Treatment and Recovery
        7. How Kidneys Work
        8. Take a FREE CLASS on Kidney Disease
      2. Treatments
        1. Dialysis Basics
          1. How Does a Hemodialysis Machine Work
          2. Starting Dialysis
          3. Types of Dialysis Access
          4. Your Care Plan
          5. Dialysis Medications
          6. Monitoring Your Lab Results
        2. Benefits of Home Dialysis
        3. Home Peritoneal Dialysis
          1. What to Expect
          2. Getting Prepared
          3. PD Access
          4. PD Training
          5. PD Monitoring
          6. Your Care Team
        4. Home Hemodialysis
          1. What to Expect
          2. Getting Prepared
          3. HD Training
          4. HD Monitoring
          5. Your Care Team
        5. Sign up to Talk to a Home Dialysis Expert
        6. In-Center Hemodialysis
          1. In-Center Treatment Options
          2. What to Expect
          3. Types of Vascular Access for Hemodialysis
          4. Your Care Team
          5. How to Choose a Center
        7. Transplant
          1. Finding a Kidney Donor
          2. Considering Kidney Donation
        8. Insurance & Managing Costs
          1. Understanding Medicare Coverage
          2. Understanding Medicare Advantage
          3. Understanding Employer Plans
        9. Choosing Not to Treat
      3. Life On Dialysis
        1. Your Emotional Health While on Dialysis
          1. Managing Your Emotions
          2. Talking About Dialysis
          3. Intimacy
          4. Body Image and Dialysis
          5. Building Your Dialysis Support Network
        2. Staying Engaged
          1. Tips for Working While on Dialysis
          2. In-Center Activities
          3. Hobbies
        3. Staying Healthy
          1. Managing Your Time on Dialysis
          2. Dialysis & Exercise
          3. Weight Management
          4. Avoiding Infection
          5. Managing Multiple Conditions
          6. Fighting the Flu
        4. Dialysis Travel Services and Information
        5. Tips for Loved Ones
          1. In-Center Hemodialysis
          2. At-Home Hemodialysis
          3. At-Home Peritoneal Dialysis
        6. PatientHub
      4. Recipes & Nutrition
        1. Recipes
        2. Managing Your Diet
          1. Eating Well on a CKD Diet
          2. Eating Well on a Dialysis Diet
          3. Salt and Kidney Disease
          4. Potassium and Kidney Disease
          5. Phosphorus and Kidney Disease
          6. Talking With Your Dietitian
        3. Fluid Management on Dialysis
        4. Dialysis Diet Planning
          1. Kidney-Friendly Shopping
          2. Eating Out
          3. Holiday Diet Tips
          4. A Chef’s Advice | Chef Aaron McCargo on Kidney Friendly Meals
        5. Cookbooks
      5. Thrive Central
        1. CKD
        2. Dialysis
        3. Diet & Nutrition
        4. Stories
        5. Wellness
        6. See All
      1. Home
      2. ESRD Care Team Discussion Guide

      ESRD Care Team Discussion Guide

      Share:
      discuss_icon_2color

      Topics to discuss with your nephrologist & care team 

      To help you get the most out of working with your nephrologist and other care team members at end stage renal disease (ESRD)—also known as stage 5 CKD—it may be useful to have a list of things to talk through. 

      Remember that your care team wants and needs your input. Participating in your Care Plan and staying informed will help you feel more in control of your kidney health, so you can make decisions that will help you thrive. 

      End Stage

      Questions about ESRD or kidney failure

      Questions to ask your nephrologist (kidney doctor)


      • What should I expect from ESRD treatment?
      • When should I expect to feel better?
      • Will I be on dialysis for the rest of my life?
      • How can I get the most out of my treatment?
      • Is there anything I may experience that I should contact you about?
      • Do I need to make changes to any other medications I’m taking?
      • Am I a candidate for a kidney transplant? If so, what do I need to do?
      • What do I need to know about over-the-counter medications or vitamins?

      Questions to ask your in-center dialysis nurse


      • What can I do to get the most out of my dialysis treatments?
      • How should I expect to feel after dialysis?
      • Is there anything I may experience that I should contact you about?
      • What do I need to know about taking my prescribed medications?
      • How are my fluids? Are there any changes I should make for better fluid management?
      • What can I do to feel my best on dialysis?
      • What do I need to know about over-the-counter medications or vitamins?
      • I’m working. How can I best manage my work and dialysis schedules?

      Questions to ask your home dialysis nurse


      • What can I do to get the most out of my home dialysis treatments?
      • How should I expect to feel after dialysis?
      • If I have questions about home dialysis procedures who should I contact?
      • Can I do my treatments by myself or will I need help?
      • How much storage space will I need for supplies and equipment?
      • Is there anything I may experience that I should contact you about?
      • What do I need to know about taking my prescribed medications?
      • What do I need to know about over-the-counter medications or vitamins?
      • I’m working. How can I best manage my work and dialysis schedules?
      • Can I travel while on treatment?
      • What should I do in case of emergency?

      Questions to ask your social worker


      • What are some tips for adjusting to my new treatment?
      • How can I balance the things I want to do with the treatment I need to do?
      • If I’m feeling down about CKD, how can I tell if I’m working through normal emotions or if I’m  clinically depressed?
      • I want to get back to feeling like I’m living a life I love. Where do I start?
      • Can I travel while on treatment?
      • How can I help my family and friends understand what I’m going through?
      • Where can I go for peer support?
      • Are there resources that can help me handle the cost of medication or treatment?
      • Are there services that can help with transportation to and from my in-center appointments?

      Questions for your renal dietitian


      • What should my biggest dietary goals be at this stage?
      • Any tips for keeping my kidney-friendly diet interesting, while still sticking to the guidelines?
      • Is there a way to incorporate my favorite foods?
      • Which dietary changes can have the biggest impact on my health?
      • Any advice for choosing kidney-friendly foods and beverages at restaurants?
      • What are the best on-the-go snacks for me?
      PRINT THIS LIST OF QUESTIONS ABOUT END-STAGE CKD
      home_video_rhr_image

      DISCOVER THE FREEDOM and FLEXIBILITY OF HOME DIALYSIS

      Choosing home dialysis may allow you to schedule your treatments around your favorite activities—so you can keep the lifestyle you love. Find out if it's right for you. 
      Watch Now
      cap-blue-large-nofill

      TAKE A FREE KIDNEY HEALTH CLASS

      Learn how to live well with kidney disease and thrive. Choose the class format that fits your life—self-guided or with an educator.
      Sign Up Now

      EATING WELL MATTERS

      What you eat and drink can affect your kidney health. Our resources and recipes can help you feel your best on a kidney diet. 
      FIND ESRD RECIPES AND NUTRITION TIPS
      Back to Top
      1. About Us
      2. Español
      1. FAQ
      2. Resource Center
      3. Contact Us
      4. Glossary
      5. Media
      6. Careers
      1. Website Privacy Policy
      2. Terms of Use
      3. Site Map
      4. HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
      5. FreseniusKidneyCare.com Web Accessibility Statement
      6. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Data
      7. Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information
      • facebook
      • youtube
      • twitter
      • pinterest
      © 2016-2022 Fresenius Medical Care. All Rights Reserved.