If you have kidney failure (end-stage renal disease or ESRD), you will need dialysis or a kidney transplant to live. There is no cure for ESRD, but many people live long lives while on dialysis or after having a kidney transplant.

There are just a few options for treating kidney failure, including kidney transplant and several types of dialysis. Your doctor can help you figure out which treatment is best for you.

Starting dialysis often means creating a new normal for yourself and your family. There’s a lot to think about, from choosing a treatment option, to finding new ways to enjoy your favorite activities, to managing a new diet.

The
FIRST30 program is all about helping you through this period of adjustment. Here, you’ll find videos featuring people like you, who once were new to dialysis, as well as a checklist of important questions to ask your health care team.

Learning that you have kidney failure can come as a shock, even if you have known for a long time that your kidneys were not working well.

Having to change your lifestyle to make time for your treatments can make coping with this new reality even harder.

You may have to stop working or find new ways to exercise. You may feel sad or nervous. All is not lost. You can get help to feel better and have a fulfilling life.

Learn more about adjusting to living with kidney failure.Kidneyfund.org