second night of nocturnal hemo...questions

[carson]

So after almost 11 yrs on PD my membrane wore out and I've had to switch to nocturnal home hemo. I did 6 weeks of in-centre training and last night was my first night at home with my new "formula" machine. I'm set to do 3 days on, 1 off at 8 hours/night.
Last night I weighed myself and figured out I'd need to remove 2.5 kilos of fluid. In the middle of the night I awoke to feelings of hypotensiveness. I immediately gave myself some saline. A little while later, I felt it again and gave more saline. Finally morning arrived and I disconnected from the machine without remembering to take my post-transfusion bp. I felt REALLY REALLY ill! I threw up a few times, I tried to drink some tea but couldn't keep it down long enough to do me any good. My back and ribs feel like someone took a baseball bat to them (I figure it's because I've never been empty for so long in 11 yrs of PD). My nurses and doctor told me I'd feel like sh*t for the first while - how long is that? Am I going to feel like this every day? I couldn't even go to work today because I was so weak. I was told I'd have headaches for about a month but I didn't have one today, thankfully.
Who can tell me about their initial hemo experiences? I need to know if I'm going to need yet more time off work. The patients I've talked to tell me I just need to get over this hump and life will be great. I'm very impatient I guess. 






EDITED:Moved to nocturnal section-kitkatz,Moderator

[del]

My husband has been on home nocturnal since Oct 2006.  He's been on dialysis for almost 11 years now. He was on PD too and the membrane stopped working too.  He was in center hemo for 6 years after that.  It WILL get better.  You may be after gaining a little weight and need to raise your dry weight. You will learn to judge that yourself after a while. Blood pressure should not drop lke that on a long run.We love nocturnal!!  You have so much freedom.  Hubby does 3 nights on a night off then 2 nights on and a night off.  We are in Canada too carson - I assume you are because of the flag.  We are in Newfoundland.  Where are you.  Feel free to pm me any time if you need any info. 

[kimcanada]

Carson...

How have you made out with nocturnal?  I am reading everything I can get my hands on... I will be switching over sometime soon.

[del]

kim will you be doing in center or at home??

[kimcanada]

Hey Del

I will be doing this at home...  They are thinking 5 nights a week...

I am nervous of the needles, but my nurse is starting buttonholes soon, so they will be ready when I am, did you have to train for 6-8 weeks?

[pelagia]

Kim - you can do it.  I know you can. 

[Wallyz]

Carson-  Yes, you will feel bad for a while.  Your body ahs gotten used to a certain level of Uric Acid , phosphorus and other stuff in your system, and this is getting it out really well for the first time.  If you are taking BP meds, you may need to stop.  Raise your Dry weight for a while, then challenge it. 

You have really changed your electrolyte makeup.   It is a challenge, but it is worth it.

[David13]

Kim, you will do well.  I am sure you have read every piece of information on nocturnal home hemo that you can get your hands on, so you know what to expect.

Besides, you have all of us here backing you. . .   

[monrein]

I'll be thinking about you Kim, and the needles.  If you ever need to talk about it, PM me your number and I'll call you.   

[Wattle]

Hey Kim,

Bug Tamara. She did home nocturnal haemo for over 4 years. She would be more than happy to answer any questions. 

[del]

Took us 5 weeks of training kim but I had been needling hubby before that.  He does 5 nights a week.  Usually has Monday and Thurs night off. he never takes 2 nights in a row.  Buttonholes make the needling a whole lot easier kim.  pm me if you have any questions or anything!!

[mogee]

I've been on nocturnal home hemo for six years.  I also use a Belco Formula (previously a Gambro Integra).  Carson, eventually you will feel healthy again.  When you feel hypotensive, do you measure your BP?  Perhaps your target weight is off.  I gather that you are a patient of the TGH, like me.

[Dan.Larrabee]

Sorry, did not realize it was an old post. Hope your doing better Carson.