Once you reach kidney failure, the diagnosis can be overwhelming. It is important to remember that kidney failure is not the end of your life, only the end of your kidney function. The choices for treatment for End- Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) include a Kidney Transplant, Dialysis (Home Dialysis, Peritoneal Dialysis, In-Center Hemodialysis), or Conservative management (also known as medical management or supportive care). Some people may start with one form of treatment and then later choose another treatment method. For example, someone might start on dialysis in-center and later choose to do dialysis at home. Or a person may do dialysis and then choose to receive a transplant. Or someone may start treatment with a transplant and if the transplant fails, the person goes on dialysis.

There is no cure for kidney failure and no one right treatment for everyone.  Each treatment choice has advantages and disadvantages. It is important to participate with your health care team in your treatment choice based upon your lifestyle and what works best for you. If your nephrologist (kidney doctor) doesn’t offer the treatment choice that you want, you can be referred to another doctor that does offer the treatment to discuss your choice further.