If you or a loved one is living with kidney failure, you’ve probably heard that dialysis is a lifeline; one that takes over when your kidneys can no longer do their job. It filters your blood, removes waste, balances fluids, and helps keep your body functioning. But what happens when that lifeline begins to fray? What happens when dialysis stops working?
This is a heavy question, and it’s one that many people are afraid to ask out loud. But the truth is, it’s important to talk about. Understanding what it means when dialysis is no longer effective can help patients and families make informed, compassionate choices about care, comfort, and quality of life.
Let’s walk through what really happens, physically, emotionally, and medically—when dialysis no longer works.
Dialysis may not "cure" someone with kidney disease; rather, it is a treatment for the disease. Some people can have dialysis for years or even decades, and live a relatively normal life during that time. However, dialysis will lose the ability to treat kidney disease over time. When we say dialysis "stops working", we may be referring to any number of things:
If a person is no longer being treated with dialysis, or if dialysis is no longer an option, we often shift focus from treatment to comfort (which is where palliative care or hospice may come in for the patient and their family).
When dialysis is discontinued, the body gradually starts to feel the effects of toxins and fluids building up in the system. The kidneys aren’t working well, or not at all, so waste products like urea and creatinine accumulate in the bloodstream. Here's what that can look like:
One of the first signs is a deep, persistent tiredness. People may feel like they can’t stay awake, and basic tasks like getting out of bed or eating become difficult.
Since the kidneys aren’t removing excess fluid, it starts to collect in the body. You may notice swelling in the legs, ankles, and hands. Fluid can also build up in the lungs, making breathing harder.
Waste in the blood can upset the stomach. Many people lose interest in food, and nausea or vomiting can become more frequent.
As toxin levels rise, they can affect the brain, leading to confusion, memory issues, or difficulty staying awake.
In the final days, people may sleep more, become less responsive, and eventually slip into a coma-like state. It’s usually not painful, and many describe it as a peaceful process.
It’s important to note that everyone’s experience is different, and symptoms may vary depending on age, other health conditions, and personal resilience.
Let’s be honest; this isn’t just a medical situation; it’s a deeply emotional one. Coming to terms with the fact that dialysis is no longer working can bring up a lot of feelings: fear, sadness, anger, even relief.
For some, the side effects of dialysis become too much to bear. Frequent hospital visits, needle sticks, exhaustion, and dietary restrictions can wear a person down. Choosing to stop dialysis can be a way of reclaiming control, focusing on comfort, and spending quality time with family and friends.
For others, especially caregivers and loved ones, it can be heartbreaking. Watching someone you care about choose to stop treatment is never easy, but understanding the reasons behind it and knowing what to expect can help ease the process.
Dialysis might be stopped in elderly patients when it is not contributing to an improved quality of life, is causing more harm than good, or the patient wants to stop dialysis and opt for palliative care.
Dialysis may stop working when an effective removal of waste or fluid from the body is not taking place, and the symptoms are worsening. Having health complications like severe infections, low blood pressure, or heart problems may also prompt the healthcare provider to stop dialysis in certain individuals.
When dialysis ends, you’re not alone. There are incredible support systems in place to help make this transition as peaceful and dignified as possible.
Palliative care teams work to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life at any stage of a serious illness, not just the end. They can help manage pain, nausea, breathing issues, and emotional distress. Kidney treatment in Ayurveda also provides excellent support in the form of herbs and lifestyle changes that may support renal function in this period.
Hospice is a type of care designed specifically for the final phase of life, often when someone has six months or less to live. It focuses entirely on comfort: physical, emotional, and spiritual, and supports both the patient and their family.
Whether through faith communities, counselors, or support groups, emotional and spiritual guidance can be a huge help during this time. Don’t underestimate the power of simply being heard and understood.
Conversations about stopping dialysis or what happens afterward can be uncomfortable. But they’re also incredibly important. These are the talks that help align care with a person’s values and wishes. Whether someone wants to be surrounded by family at home, keep things as simple as possible, or continue treatment as long as they can, those choices matter.
Planning ahead with advance directives or living wills can also ease decision-making when the time comes.
It’s easy to get caught up in the medical side of things; the machines, the numbers, the labs. But at the heart of it, life is about connection, love, laughter, and meaning. When dialysis stops working, it’s not just the end of treatment; it’s a time to focus on what matters.
That might be holding hands with someone you love, sharing stories, listening to favorite music, or simply being at peace. There is beauty and dignity in this chapter, even when it’s hard.
If you’re walking through this season right now, know that you’re not alone. Talk to your care team, lean on your community, and take things one moment at a time. There’s still space for grace, for love, and deep human connection; right up to the very end.
Certificate no- AH-2023-0186
JAN 05,2023-JAN 04,2026
"Ayurveda is not just a system of medicine; it's a way of life. Connect with us to embrace a lifestyle that nurtures your body, mind, and soul."
Book Consultation Now
