How do you get to sleep on home Hemo Dialysis

[Scatterbrain]

I would like to thank every one here welcoming me. You are all good people.

Well finally after the problems with the Gambro AK 95S, Finally got it working properly. The machine had to be calibrated; it was a simple adjustment that one of the experienced Gamber guys took care of. So far after six months at home dialysis I can say the machine is starting to be my friend. But still I can’t sleep when it’s turned on. I still suspect that Doctors know about this problem but having a hard time to deal with it. When I ask about this problem they simply reply, we know but Gambro can’t do anything about it. This is a problem beyond there control. I’ve herd it many times from different users that the machine keeps them awake. I did some test’s and its not the AK 95s that is the problem, the problem is in the WRO. The WRO is too loud. When I say it’s too loud I actually mean louder than the sleeping DB average of 4.5 Decibels, any sound level over 4.5 DB will not make you sleep even if you are the heaviest sleeper. The WRO of the AK95s is 5.9 Decibels that will keep any heavy sleeper awake. I tried putting ear plugs but that scared the hell out of me when an alarm went off and I could not hear it. I tried to adapt doing my dialysis in different times like after supper so I can watch TV till I get to sleep or start early morning so I’d be done by lunch time, But that interrupted by killing the valuable moments of my daily activities. To me the whole idea of this home dialysis is to give me those few extra days to enjoy the little life I have left.
So now I know there is ways around this problem but how long will I be able to endure the mental stress suffering. So I am challenged with a new decision in my life that will never be able to go back and reveres.
I  don’t have to let this sickness corner me into controlling my life, I have to fight this disease to the last fighting bullets my heart can handle, When I can’t fight anymore then I’ll simply hook myself up to my Gamby to do my last dialysis and take all the sleeping pills I own. Maybe it will be the last dialysis I ever have but I will have a full eight hours sleep in a full never ending dream that I finally had a good night sleep with a full clean dialysis the way it was supposed to be.


To Die, To Sleep, Maybe to Dream.
William Shakespeare.


Scatterbrain

[Run8]

Try some headphones and loud music.

[okarol]

Hi Scatterbrain,
I removed your other 3 duplicate posts - only one is necessary.
Please -- no cut and pasting the same multiple posts.
I hope you get some good suggestions.

okarol/admin

[carson]

I've been on home nocturnal for just over a year now. At first I was like you and found the machine to be too loud but now I find I can't sleep without it. I am now doing hemo 7 nights each week and if I decide to take a night off I can't sleep because it's too quiet!!! Hopefully you'll come to this as well. I think even my husband finds it more comforting to have the machine running. Speaking of which, it's time for bed now....good luck with yours!!

[kellyt]

I don't have any experience with nocturnal dialysis and sleeping, but as far as "sound" goes, I purchased an air purifier for my bedroom and I find it very difficult to sleep without it on.  It drowns out other sounds like the A/C or the TV in the front room if my Husband is watching in there.  It also helps drown out barking dogs outside.

I wish you luck.  Sleep is important to us ESRD folks.  We either want to sleep all the time (easily) or find it very difficult to sleep at all.  That was my experience anyway.  Actually, waking up was the hardest for me.  Still is, actually.   

[Red from Canada]

I too, use an air purifier as "white noise", but really, the Baxter is a great machine.  Mine has the auto dim feature, so no green light unless I hit the down arrow to check things.  I have the sound at its' lowest setting and it is really almost totally silent...or should be.  Have your PD nurse show you how to change the sound and brightness.