Some people do peritoneal dialysis (PD) and feel great for 10 or 15 or 20 years. But many who choose PD stop after just 2–3 years.

What happens when peritoneal dialysis stops working?

Without dialysis, toxins build up in the blood, causing a condition called uremia. The patient will receive whatever medicines are necessary to manage symptoms of uremia and other medical conditions. Depending on how quickly the toxins build up, death usually follows anywhere from a few days to several weeks.

When does dialysis stop working?

People who stop dialysis may live anywhere from one week to several weeks, depending on the amount of kidney function they have left and their overall medical condition.