Use of Nextstage with a graft

[brmoore]

Hi:
  Is there anyone using Nextstage that has a Graft ? Can you use Nextstage if you have a Graft, and would it be harder than if you
had a regular fistula ?
                             Bruce

[jbeany]

I used mine for a year and a half with a graft.  Some fussing from my surgeon, because he thought more frequent dialysis would be worse for a graft.  (More sticks means shorter life span for a graft.)  I didn't care, though, because the other benefits were worth the risk to me.

I never had a real fistula, so I don't know if would be easier or harder.  I don't think there's that much difference in cannulating one versus the other.

[Malibu]

My husband is using NxStage and he has a graft.  What questions do you have?

[brmoore]

Hi Malibu:
   Was wondering what the life span of a graft would be on Nextstage as you would be cannulating almost daily -
unlike a fistula a graft can't heal itself. How long has youir husband been on Nexstage using graft  ?
                                                                                Thanks: Bruce

[Malibu]

He has been on dialysis for exactly 8 weeks.  Sorry I don't know the answer.  Everything I've read says the graft should last 3 - 5 yrs. 

[Dan.Larrabee]

I have a graft and use NxStage. I have been doing it for over a year now and never have an issue. How long your graft last is partly up to you and one reason to do home dialysis. In the center, they stuck me wherever they felt like it. I hope you use all your graft and use the ladder technique. Use all the graft area possible. I look at it like a straw, if you stick the straw in the same area with a nail, the straw will eventually brake. If you stick the nail in all the way up and down the straw, it will last longer. Naturally the straw is your graft and the nail is just that. Crappy needles, they sure feel like a nail sometimes.

I had a fistulagram the other day and asked how much longer my graft is going to last. The doc said, your graft looks so good, it should last for years.

[M3Riddler]

Yes,
You can use NxStage with a Graft. The average life of a Graft is 12 months. Yes they do last longer. It is all individualized. The more you stick, the more puncture sites and scarring you will have.

Dan, thats great that your graft is looking good.  Have you ever had an angio with it? How long have you had it?

///M3Riddler

[tyefly]

I would think this is a great example to be using the extented treatments options that Nxstage could provide someone with a graft.....   If you could do extent treatments  ( longer time on the machine ) and maybe only do it 5 days a week... two on   one off   three on  one off.... or nocturnal as some do.....( wishing ) then the sticks would be less....and the results would be better.....