Home Dialysis

[Mgt8]

Morning all,

Does anyone out there use the NxStage machine on home dialysis?

I'm due to have one at home but am confused about the options. I was told I could have it fitted to my water supply but as my bathroom was across the hall from my bedroom, I would need a flexible pipe to put the drain into the sink which I would retract when not in use.

However, it has now been suggested that I use bags instead......

Lifting the bags each day would be possible but difficult with my arthritis and the easier method would surely be having it using the mains.

If I use the mains, would I still have to use all the bags.....I seem to need 8 each day!

Would appreciate any advice.....

Thanks

Margaret

[Nicolala]

Hi mgt8

I don't know specifically about the Nxstage machine, although I believe it is suitable for home HD. What I can tell you is that yes-you will use a lot of water and electricity, although I believe this machine is more economical because it doesn't have a full clean after each dialysis -I may be wrong. Anyway, my hospital reimburse me for water and electricity used every 3 months.

I'm on a BBraun Dialog machine . It's fully plumbed in, with an RO ( purifier) and a softener. The plumbing goes through the wall and is connected to the water supply under the bath in the bathroom next door.

Hope this helps.

[Chrissmart]

I have used an NX machine for a year and a half. The hospital UHCW, Coventry, had it plumbed in both for water supply and drainage. I would seriously recommend you press your Renal unit to fit the NX unit in and do not use the bags. Remember you will also have to store the months supply of bags as well. If you are connected to the mains the NX will stand on a Diasylate Generator and you will not need the bags and the heater. I am now on nocturnal dialysis, 5 nights/week, 7 hours per night. I am getting excellent clearance according to my Renal nurse.

Good luck

Chris

[kipchiri]

Hi my nane is Victor and using the NxStage machine. like anything else in our lives this just adds to the number of challenges we faceeach day and its upto us to decide on what to do with it. I do dialysis five times a week for 2 and half hours each treatment. my room is across from the bathroom and have two tubing going in. I chose to do it this way because i can make the batch during the day and do dialysis later at night. it has been good since my hospital visits is just one each month. since i have been doing it i can strongly suggest tat you try it out it might be the best choice u make concerning dialysis

[Mgt8 in reply to kipchiri]

Thanks for your message Victor,

I am now successfully dialysing at home and doing 4 days, 4 & 1/2 each session. The pipe across the hall works well mostly......it fell out once and drenched the floor below but now I tape it extra well to keep it from slipping.....but mains water is so much easier than the bags.

I envy your 2&1/2 hours! I find the time drags so....even a good film to watch only passes a couple of hours....

Have been looking into the new NxStage 'S' machine that may be able to cut down my hours.... don't think the NHS do it yet....

Best wishes,

Margaret

[StephenA in reply to Mgt8]

Hi Margaret, you are lucky to have the option of home dialysis, out here in South Africa it has not really started. I get through the 4h sessions by watching You Tube videos of old UK TV programmes (Dad's Army, Touch of Frost and Poirot are my current favourites) and various doccies from History Channel, Nat Geog and others. I bought a Lenovo Idea Pad 100S for this. Excellent battery life for use at my dialysis centre. The time passes quickly now (before, it was a big drag!). I am going to research NxStage and see if their system can be used over here.

Watch out for loss of nutrients such as soluble vitamins and amino acids. Ask you doc about this. Since I have started taking L-Carnitine my strength and quality of life has improved. Folate is also useful (plus the various Vitamin B's).

Fun and games at home! I did PD for 10 years and had a few whoopsies along the way. Haemo is a pest for taking up half my daylight hours.

[kipchiri in reply to Mgt8]

You are welcome glad its working out for you. Welcome to the family