Dialysis does some of the work of healthy kidneys, but it does not cure your kidney disease. You will need to have dialysis treatments for your whole life unless you are able to get a kidney transplant. We do not yet know how long patients on dialysis will live. We think that some dialysis patients may live as long as people without kidney failure. Many dialysis patients can go back to work after they have gotten used to dialysis.
Many patients live normal lives except for the time needed for treatments.
Dialysis usually makes you feel better because it helps many of the problems caused by kidney failure. You and your family will need time to get used to dialysis. You may be on a special diet. You may not be able to eat everything you like, and you may need to limit how much you drink. Your diet may vary according to the type of dialysis.