Single needle VS double needle

[jedimaster]

I just came back from my monthly Dr's appointment. As expected, they agree that my the hole that is close to the elbow is way to close to the elbow (redundant eh) so everytime my arm bends, the needle gets pushed in and hurts and bleeds....sooo..instead of moving the position of my two entry points we'll move to single needle as I'm planning to do nocturnal.
The doctor says that most of people in Ontario doing nocturnal have moved to single needle....the nurse is not happy but will do. The doctor claims that the results will be the same, as I'll be doing 8 hopurs a day, 7 days a week... Any experiences you want to share?
I'm expected to do single needle training this Friday....one needle...two needles?.....the more needles the better?....should I have 4 (kidding)

[angieskidney]

The doctor says that most of people in Ontario doing nocturnal have moved to single needle....

Oh really? Hmm.. then I am interested in knowing as well as whenEVER my city in ON gets home hemo I may be doing single too!

I tried to find any info but seems harder to find but here are some reads:

• http://www.renalweb.com/guest/lit/mwilliams/FAQs.htm

What About The "Single-Needle" System?

The single-needle system, as the name suggests, requires only one needle to perform hemodialysis. The blood-flow through the needle is continuously reversed. This method is not popular in hemodialysis units because it can’t deliver high blood flow and therefore results in poor dialysis. In the case of Nocturnal Dialysis, with its long duration and high frequency, high blood flow is not necessary. Therefore, single-needle dialysis is excellent for Nocturnal Dialysis.

[jedimaster]

Thanks!....I'm feeling anxi....but I'm sooooo ready for nocturnal and bring my life back that you can't imagine....

[Epoman]

I can't wait till NxStage does Nocturnal. There are rumors that some people use NxStage for nocturnal. They just add a heparin pump. I would love to use the SINGLE needle. The single needle has been around for many years. But like the FAQ says it get low flow rates so it's got good for in-center. But for nocturnal it should be excellent.

[Panda_9]

I wasnt aware single needle was used for nocturnal. 8 hours 7 days a week, OMG!!! I can hardly handle 10hrs every second night. Stuff doing it every night. I would think you would be needing to eat a pretty high K diet if you are dialysing every day. Would be interested to know what K dialysate you will be using, and if it is changed towards the end of the week or what.