I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Introduction => Introduce Yourself => Topic started by: carson on September 12, 2008, 01:10:13 PM

Title: hello, again!
Post by: carson on September 12, 2008, 01:10:13 PM

It's been almost a year since I've been on here. Lots has happened and I'm sure many new people have joined, so I thought I might re-introduce myself. I'm Lisa. When I was 14 I was a very sick girl. After many, many tests I was diagnosed with GN2 and almost immediately placed on PD. I did well on it until my transplant 9 months later. I lived a very good life for 15 yrs while my transplant worked it's wonders but eventually it slowed down to the point where I needed dialysis again. I felt as though I had lost a best friend. I cried and cried but I knew I had no choice. I started PD again in 1997. It went well for the first 9 yrs but eventually the changes in my membrane rendered PD useless and my doc convinced me Hemo would be my best option. Sooo, last Oct I had a central line put in and began hemo on my 41st birthday. I was so scared but once the blood started flowing and I realized it was painless I settled in. Now, it's been almost a year later. I have my Formula Hemodialysis machine at home and I dialyse 8 hours each night, 7 days a week. I have lost 15 kgs of water, I look and feel like a million bucks, and I am happy my previous neph. talked me into Home Hemo. So far I've still been using my central line without incident. I suspect one day they'll tell me I must change to a fistula. THAT I am REALLY afraid of as I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooooo scared of needles. In the meantime I'll just do my bes with the line and hope it all goes well!!

Title: Re: hello, again!
Post by: Joe Paul on September 12, 2008, 01:21:30 PM

Welcome Carson, good to have you aboard (again)

Title: Re: hello, again!
Post by: willieandwinnie on September 12, 2008, 01:37:10 PM

:welcomesign; again Carson. You have been through a lot. Could you tell us more about your Formula Hemodialysis machine or better yet, post a picture. We hope to hear more from you.  :cuddle;

Title: Re: hello, again!
Post by: kimcanada on September 12, 2008, 02:57:53 PM

Hi again Carson, I have missed your posts and wondered what happened to you... I am glad you are back, my doctor mentioned just today about me doing dialysis at home (hemo) he wanted me to think about doing 2 hours everyday.... it would be with needles tho,we will have to talk about it

 :flower;

Title: Re: hello, again!
Post by: monrein on September 12, 2008, 04:29:55 PM

Welcome back Lisa.  Sounds like things have been rough but not too bad for now.  Don't worry about the needles, you'll cross that bridge when you get to it.   :cuddle; :flower; :cuddle;

Title: Re: hello, again!
Post by: Sluff on September 12, 2008, 05:32:23 PM

Welcome back Carson it has been awhile. I hope your central line continues to serve you well until the next transplant.

Sluff/Admin

Title: Re: hello, again!
Post by: paris on September 12, 2008, 06:22:28 PM

Welcome back!  Sounds like you have had a very interesting year.  It is always good to hear how well home hemo works for someone.  It gives hope to many.  Thanks for sharing.  :grouphug;





Paris,moderator

Title: Re: hello, again!
Post by: G-Ma on September 12, 2008, 07:39:57 PM

 :welcomesign;

Title: Re: hello, again!
Post by: Romona on September 12, 2008, 07:47:15 PM

 :waving;

Title: Re: hello, again!
Post by: Mimi on September 12, 2008, 09:00:50 PM

Hi Carson, good to hear from you again.  So glad your home hemo is working out good for you.
You say you have a central line, is that the same as a neck cath?  My fistula never worked, so I
will have to decide to have a neck cath or a graft.  Glad to see you back and hope you keep on
posting.


Love, Mimi
 

Title: Re: hello, again!
Post by: Ang on September 13, 2008, 02:29:17 AM

 :welcomesign;  back  carson

Title: Re: hello, again!
Post by: peleroja on September 13, 2008, 07:35:19 AM

Welcome back, Carson.  I just happen to live in the city of Carson in California!  Come back and post often.

Title: Re: hello, again!
Post by: Bajanne on September 13, 2008, 05:26:56 PM

Welcome back!  So good to have you with us again.  I like the sound of that home hemo.  Well, now that you are back with us, I expect to hear more from you.  Welcome back! :grouphug;



Bajanne, Moderator

Title: Re: hello, again!
Post by: carson on September 17, 2008, 08:04:11 PM

Thanks everyone for your warm welcomes! It's been an interesting year to say the least but I feel so much better now that I'm on hemo. There are a few posts asking me questions about the program and machine I'm on. I'll briefly explain:
I am on the Formula Hemodialysis machine made in Italy. It's about the size of most hemo machines but much bigger and more efficient than the Nxstage. I dialyze 7 days a week for 8 hours while I sleep on a very slow flow (300). I usually remove 1-2 kgs of fluid. When I wake up in the morning I am not washed out but I am very hungr! My BP is normal. My temp is normal. I can eat and drink anything I want. I had severe Hyperparathyroid issues before starting hemo. I took Sensipar for 3 months and now I am below normal in that dept. I am ENCOURAGED to eat more phos and calcium as they are too low. I still take Aranesp every couple of weeks and some iron too but not too much. The only meds I take are: 5mg Prednisone (from last transplant), Rocaltrol .25 mcg 3 times/wk, 2 Replivite and 1000mg of Glucosamine (I used to do heavy weights when I was well and now my joints hurt!!)
The line I have is inserted just below my collar bone and goes up into my neck, then down into my heart via the pulmonary artery. It is USUALLY a temp thing while the patient learns to use the needles, but I am SOOO very afraid of needles my doc has agreed to let me stay with the line until it's just not the best option. I'm hoping that day never comes!!
If I can get a pic of the Formula, I will put it on here for all to see.
Thanks for your interest.

KimCanada, we should talk!!!!