2024-09-18 Facebook Live - Kidney Q&A

Living Well with Kidney Disease

FB Live – September 18th: On our September Facebook Live, Dr. Scantlebury talks vaccines and recommendations for the new COVID-19 boosters, flu shots, and more, as well as logistics for traveling while on dialysis, mental health, and many more kidney related topics.

Now that we are solidly into autumn, Dr. Scantlebury reminds us that it is recommended for everyone get their updated COVID and flu vaccines for the year. This is especially important for kidney patients, are they are at a much higher risk of complications from getting sick. Additionally, anyone who is eligible for RSV, shingles, or pneumonia vaccines should also make sure that they talk to their healthcare teams to schedule those. If you are over 65, you’ll likely receive a different flu vaccine that is stronger, but always talk to your doctors if you have any questions or concerns about any recommended vaccinations.

Dr. Scantlebury also talks about some tips for traveling while on dialysis. If you do peritoneal dialysis, you can let your center know where you are going, and they will ship your supplies there ahead of time so you don’t have to lug it with you. For hemodialysis though, make sure you talk to your travel coordinator to help you arrange a transfer to a facility near where you will be traveling and send ahead all necessary paperwork.

In answering a question from a patient during our live event, Dr. Scantlebury discusses some of the mental health challenges that patients can face, such as being afraid of dialysis and the anxiety and depression that can come from having to make a major life change. She highlights the importance of seeking help from friends and family and leaning on them for support, as well as speaking with a professional who can help provide useful tools for working through those feelings, as well as options for patients who need additional mental health help.

We invite you to join us for our live events and ask your kidney-related questions! Find us on both Instagram and Facebook:

- IG Live @patientcitizens the first Wednesday of the month, 12:30pm EST
- Facebook Live www.facebook.com/patientcitizens the third Wednesday of the month, 12:30pm EST