First time dialysis outside of hospital

[Cowboy41]

Can anyone give me hints, tips, tricks? im kind of nervous.

[PeaB4YouGo]

I suppose it depends on the type of dialysis you're using.

[Cowboy41 in reply to PeaB4YouGo]

i dont know?

[bumblebee_tuna in reply to Cowboy41]

Did someone explain to you the different options for renal replacement therapy?

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

My first dialysis was in a clinic. A little scary but okay. I did a lot of research and reading. Check out kidneyschool.org and

Red blue with drawing of woman.

[Baddstuff]

by 'outside of hospital' do you mean PD at home?

[Beachgirl32]

Hemodialysis is ongoing dialysis (3 to 5 times a week) that cleans your blood, usually in a dialysis center. The hemodialysis access is in your arm. Peritoneal dialysis is ongoing dialysis (daily) that collects waste from the blood by washing the empty space in the abdomen (peritoneal cavity). It can be done from home.

(Hemo can also be done at home.

I do pd I have to do it every night. But I like having my entire day free. I was train for two weeks then I had to do manual first and then the Machince which you are train on. You are under a nephrologist aren’t you they should have explain all of this way before it was time for you to go on dialysis. It all depends if you want someone doing it for you that in center hemo if you want to be responsible for your own health then home dialysis pd or hemo . Now I do have to go into the center for labs and a clinic visit and I’m assigned a pd nurse so any questions she help me. Not really sure what you are asking in your question so don’t know if I’m any help but if you have any questions about pd dialysis I can answer I will.

[cs65 NKF Ambassador]

If you're just coming out of the hospital you'll probably have a chest catheter to begin with since a fistula or graft in your arm takes a few months to mature and be able to be used. I am assuming you're going to a dialysis center. My best advice is to get to know the staff and some other patients to help get you familiar with the routine. You will be assigned a chair time and it's best to get rides at least the first month, then you'll be able to drive yourself. When you go in you'll be directed to get on the scale to weigh yourself and there will be sinks where you can wash your hands and there is also plenty of hand sanitizer available. Then ask the staff to help you find your chair and get yourself settled. You'll probably be there for 3-4 hours, so bring what you need for comfort (a blanket, hat and warm clothing because the machine cools your blood as it circulates it) and something to occupy yourself (cellphone, and something to do that you enjoy). You will need to wear a mask while getting connected and disconnected to and from the machine. On your first day you hopefully will get one on one time with your nurse to go over the information about dialysis that's in your packet ( some clinics are very busy and you should probably read what you can either there or that evening). It's kind of overwhelming at first, so do ask questions of the staff as they come up. It's also kind of an emotional roller coaster since you may or may not feel better at first - it is a process everyone has to go through. You will be meeting other members of your team - the social worker, the renal dietitian, the nephrologist, nurse practitioners - and they are there to help you. Other patients can be a great deal of support, too! Good luck to you!