I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: Home Dialysis - NxStage Users => Topic started by: Treasure on June 29, 2007, 12:15:03 AM

Title: Bye bye NxStage-- for now...
Post by: Treasure on June 29, 2007, 12:15:03 AM
Greetings, all. I have been absent the last couple of months because I started a new job and was trying to transition to home dialysis again, so I could work more hours. I started in the Allient trial back in March, but we had blood pump problems with the test machine and the clinical trial was halted (it has since resumed). After the Allient failure, I thought I would give the PureFlow/NxStage a try. I was apprehensive about the amount of time the procedure was going to take, but thought I would give it a shot.

I started having a "24" red alarm as soon as I hooked up and reducing the blood flow rate and checking and moving everything around was to no avail. I had this problem 4 times in a row.  I believe there was a solution for this problem, but I really don't have the time to do the R&D to figure it out. I really didn't have the time to do the Pureflow process. I have a 3 hour roundtrip commute to work 2-3 days a week and I attend graduate school.  No one in my household is home long enough to prime and cook a batch, let alone do all the other prep required.

So, I'm back in center, again. And I'm happy being there because as difficult as it is to work around the dialysis center schedule, it is far more doable than doing the NxStage at this time.

I would have been so much happier this time around with the NxStage if I could have just used the premixed bags of dialysate. I realize that there is greater expense for that-- but that's the only way I could see remaining with that system

I did have a CT scan done...so my surgeon could determine if there's any way we can work around any holes that may exist for PD. I know the chances are very slim that I can return to PD, but I have to give it a second look. My long term financial health depends on having a treatment that does not interfere with my ability to work (I don't qualify for disability or unemployment)... so PD looks like the best option, if it is at all viable.

This message seems like such a downer... and I guess I"m entitled to be down.  My experiences with dialysis and transplant have all sucked ass-- plain and simple. And yet, I carry on... O0
Title: Re: Bye bye NxStage-- for now...
Post by: Joe Paul on June 29, 2007, 01:12:09 AM
Good luck with getting back on PD. I hope & pray things work out for you  :grouphug;
Title: Re: Bye bye NxStage-- for now...
Post by: MyssAnne on June 29, 2007, 05:23:35 AM
Man, life is a b**** sometimes, isn't it?  Hang in there, girl. I work and am on pd (cycler), it's a better alternative, I think! 
Title: Re: Bye bye NxStage-- for now...
Post by: Sara on June 29, 2007, 06:41:00 AM
I'm sorry it didn't work out for you.  On another note, I thought everyone on dialysis automatically qualified for disability?
Title: Re: Bye bye NxStage-- for now...
Post by: skyedogrocks on June 29, 2007, 09:29:35 AM
Greetings, all. I have been absent the last couple of months because I started a new job and was trying to transition to home dialysis again, so I could work more hours. I started in the Allient trial back in March, but we had blood pump problems with the test machine and the clinical trial was halted (it has since resumed). After the Allient failure, I thought I would give the PureFlow/NxStage a try. I was apprehensive about the amount of time the procedure was going to take, but thought I would give it a shot.

I started having a "24" red alarm as soon as I hooked up and reducing the blood flow rate and checking and moving everything around was to no avail. I had this problem 4 times in a row.  I believe there was a solution for this problem, but I really don't have the time to do the R&D to figure it out. I really didn't have the time to do the Pureflow process. I have a 3 hour roundtrip commute to work 2-3 days a week and I attend graduate school.  No one in my household is home long enough to prime and cook a batch, let alone do all the other prep required.

So, I'm back in center, again. And I'm happy being there because as difficult as it is to work around the dialysis center schedule, it is far more doable than doing the NxStage at this time.

I would have been so much happier this time around with the NxStage if I could have just used the premixed bags of dialysate. I realize that there is greater expense for that-- but that's the only way I could see remaining with that system

I did have a CT scan done...so my surgeon could determine if there's any way we can work around any holes that may exist for PD. I know the chances are very slim that I can return to PD, but I have to give it a second look. My long term financial health depends on having a treatment that does not interfere with my ability to work (I don't qualify for disability or unemployment)... so PD looks like the best option, if it is at all viable.

This message seems like such a downer... and I guess I"m entitled to be down.  My experiences with dialysis and transplant have all sucked ass-- plain and simple. And yet, I carry on... O0

I'm sorry the Nx Stage process didn't work for you.  Why were you not able to use the dialysate bags?  That is what most people use.  The Pure Flow system is pretty new, but when Nx Stage first started out, they only have the bags.

We use the bags for Rob and it's so much easier than doing the pure flow, in my opinion.  Plus there is a less likely hood of leaking.

You are very busy, don't forget to slow down and take a break now and then :)  Good luck!!
Title: Re: Bye bye NxStage-- for now...
Post by: jbeany on June 29, 2007, 11:01:41 AM
Hang in there, treasure!   :grouphug;
Title: Re: Bye bye NxStage-- for now...
Post by: goofynina on June 29, 2007, 01:52:18 PM
Hey Treasure, great to hear from you again girlfriend.  Sorry it didnt work out for you and i hope your able to go back to doing PD.  Please keep us posted.  Good luck and Godspeed  :cuddle;
Title: Re: Bye bye NxStage-- for now...
Post by: Sluff on June 29, 2007, 02:58:34 PM
Hang in there Treasure.. :grouphug;
Title: Re: Bye bye NxStage-- for now...
Post by: whitehorse on July 01, 2007, 08:12:56 PM
That was bad luck, but things will get better.
Title: Re: Bye bye NxStage-- for now...
Post by: Rerun on July 01, 2007, 09:13:50 PM
That is why I'm not on home dialysis.  I may hate the in-center, but I leave the mess and water/machine problems up to them.

Best of luck to you.  As soon as you work 20 quarters then you should qualify for disability.
Title: Re: Bye bye NxStage-- for now...
Post by: Bajanne on July 02, 2007, 02:21:13 AM
It is great seeing you post again.  I was wondering where you had gotten too.  Sorry to hear of your problems.  And you have the right to express your feelings.  That is what this site is all about.
Like Rerun, I like in-center hemo (that is all we have anyway) when all I have to do is just show up.
Hope everything works out for you.