If kidney dialysis is helping you live with end stage renal disease or failure, stopping can mean that you’re reaching the end of your life.
When your kidneys are no longer able to perform their usual functions, kidney dialysis is performed. You can stop getting dialysis whenever you and your doctors feel the time is right.
But if the treatment is helping you live with end stage renal disease, stopping can mean that you’ll only have a few days or weeks left to live.
Read on to learn what research says about survival times after stopping dialysis, what to consider before stopping dialysis, and what next steps you can take after making such a decision.
When you go into kidney failure, toxic substances build up in your body and your organs gradually begin to shut down. Some people with end stage kidney disease survive longer than others after stopping dialysis, but the timeframe is typically somewhere between a few hours to a few weeks.
A 2024 study of survival time in 239 people in Australia and New Zealand who stopped dialysis found the median survival time differed slightly between people on peritoneal dialysis compared to hemodialysis. The median survival time of the peritoneal dialysis group was 4 days, while that of the hemodialysis group was 6 days.
Some people lived longer or shorter than this. Individual survival times ranged from 0 to 40 days.
The researchers noted the main factor that affected survival time was the reason for stopping dialysis. People stopping for psychosocial reasons survive longer than those stopping due to other health conditions, such as:
- cardiovascular disease
- peripheral vascular disease
- cancer
- neurological disease
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There’s no exact answer for how long you’ll live after stopping kidney dialysis. This can depend on:
- how well your kidneys are still functioning
- how advanced or severe any other conditions you have are
According to a 2024 study, some people survived up to 40 days after stopping dialysis.
Deciding to stop dialysis is a personal choice. Here are some things to consider before you make this consequential decision.
Is it really my choice to stop dialysis?
It is your right to choose when you’re ready to stop dialysis.
Consider speaking with a doctor, other specialists involved in your treatment plan, and your family and loved ones before you stop dialysis. You should also make a plan for how you want to manage your care after you stop dialysis.
How will my healthcare team respond to my decision?
Your healthcare team will want to help you make the best decision for you. They will help you weigh the pros and cons of stopping kidney dialysis. Be clear and transparent about why you want to stop dialysis. This can help doctors, specialists, and social workers advise you about any other treatments or care options that may help address your concerns.
How should I speak with my loved ones about my decision?
Be honest with the people you care about why you made this decision. Try not to feel pressured to give excuses that aren’t true to your feelings or reverse your decision to please someone else.
Consider asking a doctor or healthcare professional to help explain your reasoning to your loved ones. Having an expert in the room can sometimes bring a neutral stance to these difficult conversations.
Are there other treatments that can help with my quality of life?
Some considerations can include:
- getting a kidney transplant from a living or deceased donor
- getting a weekly injection of erythropoietin to help with anemia related to kidney disease
- receiving treatment for high blood pressure
Even if treatment isn’t available to extend your life, palliative care is available to make you feel comfortable in your final weeks or months.
Is stopping dialysis considered suicide?
Suicide is when someone chooses to injure themselves in order to end their own life. Discontinuing medical treatment is different from suicide. You have the right to stop medical treatments that you believe are doing you more harm than good.
But, stopping dialysis means that your organs will shut down, which leads to death. People with kidney failure are able to live on dialysis for many years, even many decades. Before you stop treatment, your healthcare team may encourage you to speak with a mental health professional, especially if you are young or in otherwise good health.
A mental health professional, such as a therapist or social worker, can help you cope with depression as you navigate this difficult decision.
Talk with someone who can help
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, you can reach out for help:
- Call 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day
- Text “HOME” to the Crisis Textline at 741741
You can live anywhere from hours to days to weeks or more after stopping dialysis, depending on your health, kidney function, and other treatments you receive.
You’ll start to feel more and more tired over time as your kidneys stop functioning.
Dying from kidney failure alone doesn’t typically cause pain. But if you’re experiencing pain from other conditions, a doctor may recommend medications to ease your pain.
Doctors may also prescribe diuretics if needed to help the body drain extra fluids and avoid swelling from fluid buildup.
You may be able to resume any diet as you see fit because you’ll no longer be required to follow a diet.
However, consuming as little potassium as possible may still be important to improve end-of-life quality. Speak with a doctor about what diets you may want to avoid to prevent salt or fluids from building up too much in your body.
Yes. Doctors, nurses, social workers, and others involved in your care will continue to help offer treatment, advice, and arrangements for you to receive alternative treatments or palliative care at home.
You can get hospice care when stopping dialysis. Stopping dialysis can mean you have hours to weeks left to live and you can usually choose hospice care if you’re in the final weeks or months of your life.
Hospice can be done at home or at a facility. Consider speaking with a social worker who can help you arrange for the type of hospice care you want.
Yes. You can usually choose the specific place you’d like to spend your final days to weeks.
Health insurance and your condition may factor into the exact location you can stay if you choose a hospital or hospice facility.
Health insurance is the biggest factor in deciding what treatments are available to you at home.
You may be assigned a home health aide if you get hospice care at home. This can either be covered by a health insurance plan or paid for out of pocket if you choose a service that isn’t covered by an insurance plan.
Stopping dialysis treatment means that you may need to make some additional considerations, including:
- Deciding on your exact medical care: Most insurance plans, including Medicare, don’t stop if you decide not to continue with dialysis. But your exact coverage may vary depending on the option you choose such as hospice or home care.
- Understanding whether dialysis is still an option: You can change your mind and start dialysis again. Speak with a doctor to see if dialysis will still help if you’ve missed a few treatments.
- Naming someone to make your medical decisions: If you’re concerned that you’ll be unable to make your own decision, speak with a family member or loved one to make a living will or give them power of attorney for your healthcare decisions.
- Discussing your plans with those close to you: Make an end-of-life plan so that you can begin to make arrangements with doctors, social workers, family members, and others who may take part in your plans.
