My grandfather just stopped his peritoneal dialysis. How long does he have to live?

He is 83 yrs old w/ a history of congestive heart failure, hypertension and renal failure. He has been on peritoneal dialysis for 4 years. Yesterday he met w/ the Dr. and decided to stop dialysis and seek Hospice. Does anyone know about how long he will live? Thanks.

P.S. I've been spending ALL of my time with him and will be there at his side until he goes. I was just curious if anyone has been through this w/ a loved one and how long it took w/ them. Thanks!

Most of my patients decide to go on hospice because of a secondary condition, like heart failure or infection. This secondary condition has worsened their overall condition significantly. When this is the case, the patient can die as quickly as 1 day after quitting dialysis, but I've seen it take as long as 2 weeks.

However, I've had people quit who were simply tired of dialysis. When they really aren't in too bad of shape then it tends to take longer, ranging from 1 week to even a couple months.

The main predictor of mortality in dialysis patients is serum albumin. Check what his last level was. If it was too much below the appropriate range then he will die much sooner.

I don't think anyone can predict with any certainty.
But his last adventure is likely to be measured in days, rather than months.
Go see him now.

Transplant mom nailed it - it could be hours, perhaps days, but probably not many.....go see him NOW...do not wait, tell him what he meant to you, talk about your good memories...and make him smile. Say your goodbyes.

That depends on your grandfather's will to live, his health, and heaven knows how many other factors.

Could be days, weeks, who knows?

My mother was told she had six months to live... That was ten years ago. So truly, one never knows...

But, even so... I agree with the first answer... See him as soon and as often as possible.

http://health.yahoo.com/?ysmchn=YSM&ysmc...

click on link and i hope it take syou to yahoo. medical message board .
if it doenst then type it in and ask you Q their to medical staff ok!
Sorry! bout your grandfather

Spend as much time as you can with him regardless dear and tel him you love him over and over.......!
prayers 4 -u all!