Why do some dialysis patients urinate and some do not? How long can someone be on dialysis?

Each person and each kidney disease is unique.  Most patients still make some urine on dialysis but the longer you are on dialysis the less urine that you make.  Some causes of end stage kidney disease such as interstitial nephritis and chronic pyelonephritis are associated with greater urine output than other diseases such as hypertensive kidney disease or diabetic kidney disease. One can live on dialysis as long as he or she takes good care of themselves and follows the advice of their physician.  The most common cause of death in dialysis patients is complications related to heart and cardiovascular disease.  I commonly advise patients that they should live as long as they can and as well as they can.