I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: Home Dialysis => Topic started by: darkpixie08 on May 14, 2012, 08:02:10 PM

Title: Liberty Dialysis Cycler Question
Post by: darkpixie08 on May 14, 2012, 08:02:10 PM
Not sure if I should post this here, or in the travel section.  My father is currently using the new Liberty dialysis cycler.  I had read that the older model (the Newton?) did not do well on cruise ships because the pump was gravity based.  Has anyone had any experience with the newer model? Would we run into the same problems?  He'd really like to go on a cruise, and my mother says that doing manual exchanges would be difficult because it requires different equipment/supplies to have to be sent, since he would be using the cycler on the first part of the vacation.  I'm not as familiar with what's required, so I don't know how much extra effort it would be, apart from the fact that the manual exchanges would take up more of his day. 
Title: Re: Liberty Dialysis Cycler Question
Post by: Joe on May 15, 2012, 05:36:09 AM
I'm not familiar with the Liberty Dialysis cycler, I use the Baxter system. But I'm sure someone will have some advice for your Dad here shortly.

And BTW,  :welcomesign; to IHD! Hope you enjoy it here.
Title: Re: Liberty Dialysis Cycler Question
Post by: JLM on May 15, 2012, 07:12:15 AM
Have you put this question to your nurse or the Liberty tech support?
Title: Re: Liberty Dialysis Cycler Question
Post by: darkpixie08 on May 15, 2012, 11:51:08 AM
Have you put this question to your nurse or the Liberty tech support?

I hate to say this, but while the staff and nurses at the clinic are very sweet, they are not exactly what I would consider the best and the brightest in the field.  They did not seem very knowledgeable about this machine verses the older version.
Title: Re: Liberty Dialysis Cycler Question
Post by: Joe on May 15, 2012, 11:54:26 AM
You could always call tech support and ask them. They should have the answer you need.
Title: Re: Liberty Dialysis Cycler Question
Post by: highway61 on May 15, 2012, 05:39:37 PM
I agree with Joe, you should discuss this with the Liberty tech support folks. I don't think it is gravity based, but I don't really know for sure.
Title: Re: Liberty Dialysis Cycler Question
Post by: smcd23 on May 15, 2012, 06:41:43 PM
I believe it works on pneumatics, but I am not 100% sure. I would call the Fresenius travel line and ask them. I feel like they would be more knowledgeable about this than the nurses or tech support, since they are the ones in charge of getting the supplies where they need to be. 

I am sure my SO would not mind putting the cycler in the bathtub tonight and testing it out for you. He'd do anything to destroy that machine  >:D
Title: Re: Liberty Dialysis Cycler Question
Post by: kporter85db on May 15, 2012, 09:33:22 PM
I have been on the Liberty for almost a year now and have checked into this. I am told that the cycler will not work on cruise ships because of the scale that the heater bag sits on. They say the rocking motion of the ship will cause multiple alarms. I would love to hear from someone who has tried it though.

Fresenious will tell you to do manuals while on board.

I'm not sure why your mom thinks manuals will be to difficult. There's really not that much to it.
Title: Re: Liberty Dialysis Cycler Question
Post by: highway61 on May 16, 2012, 05:40:10 PM
I agree with kporter85db that manuals should not be that difficult.

At the end of my time on PD I had reached a point where I had more faith on manuals than I did on the cycler. To me the cycler offered greater convenience but at a loss of control, I felt that I was at the mercy of the machine. With manuals you are totally in control.

So while at sea and not worried about having to go to work every day I think manuals would be better.
Title: Re: Liberty Dialysis Cycler Question
Post by: Grumpy-1 on June 11, 2012, 05:21:29 AM
I'm planning on going on a cruise next year and using the cycler.  I would love to hear back about this as well.  BUT - I don't have any heartburn about doing manuals - except having to get up a couple time in the middle of the night to do an exchange.   Grumpy
Title: Re: Liberty Dialysis Cycler Question
Post by: packshortie on July 11, 2012, 12:07:25 PM
I just got back from a week cruise to Alaska and took my cycler.  I had no problems at all even when the ship was really rocky one night.
Title: Re: Liberty Dialysis Cycler Question
Post by: Grumpy-1 on July 16, 2012, 10:20:52 AM
great !!!! :thumbup;  Thanks for the info