First Use Syndrome to Dialyzer

[rsudock]

Hi Friends,
 Wednesday night I had an allergic reaction to the dialyzer. My tongue and lips went numb/tingly. It was difficult to breath, skin turned red, puke, and had severe stomach cramps. (which lead me to the bathroom where it wasn't a pretty sight!)  I have never been this sick before and now dialysis I am sick all the time...ugh. Has anyone else had this allergic reaction to the dialyzer before? The tech michelle says I can no longer use dry pack dialyzers. I was so out of it I have no idea what she meant. Tonight I had D and a hour into it I got the horrible stomach cramps again!! I wasn't having a reaction but I got sick again....good grief what is going on ya think?


xo,
R

[RightSide]

I think what Michelle means is that you should no longer use a "one-time" dialyzer, and should switch to reusable dialyzers.

Some folks who have allergic reactions to the former, do better with the latter (or vice versa).  Because some folks are allergic to the chemicals in the "one-time" dialyzers; while other folks are allergic to the chemicals used to clean the reusable dialyzers.

[Bruno]

I've never heard of a reusable dialyser, we use a new one every time. My thought is that you might try a different type of dialyser, because if it's the chemicals as RightSide says that would be the way to go.

[Joe Paul]

I think what Michelle means is that you should no longer use a "one-time" dialyzer, and should switch to reusable dialyzers.

Some folks who have allergic reactions to the former, do better with the latter (or vice versa).  Because some folks are allergic to the chemicals in the "one-time" dialyzers; while other folks are allergic to the chemicals used to clean the reusable dialyzers.

Well said.

[greg10]

...been this sick before and now dialysis I am sick all the time...ugh. Has anyone else had this allergic reaction to the dialyzer before? The tech michelle says I can no longer use dry pack dialyzers. I was so out of it I have no idea what she meant. ....

I don't want to be skeptical and cynical of the tech, but that term "dry pack" is normally used only by a big chain clinic such as Davita.  Big clinics have a cost incentive by reusing dialyzer cartridges.  Reusing cartridges can have many problems such as mixed up with other dialyzers, contamination with cleaners and possible antigen accumulation and  bacterial growth in the old dialyzer.  There have been cases of Davita in Colorado mixing up patients' dialyzer and infecting some with hepatitis and MRSA.

Before you go the route of reuse, try the following:
1. Write down the name of your dialyzer and find out all you can about possible allergies with it.
2. Ask your tech to flush out the new dialyzer with an additional 1 liter of saline after priming and before each use.  Dialyzers are primed with saline before each use.  The priming could accumulate chemicals from the manufacturing of the dialyzer and cause allergic reactions in you.  Flushing the priming saline out of the system could help.  The normal procedure is to just continuing using the priming saline as your initial treatment fluid.
3. Ask for any alternative dialyzer you can try.

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=20795.msg346185#msg346185

[rsudock]

Thanks everyone! I just called the D center to figure out what the heck is going on and the nurse what short with me at first, but I continued to push her for info. I loved it when she says, "Well back in the day they use to clean dialyzers with fermaldhyde, which was very bad for patients, but now they use a different cleaning agents so, it only makes the patient sick." Then she starts laughing...ummm hello? Yeah I guess if you are only puking your guts out it is a lot better then dying...wth?! Maybe if I hook her up to a machine she could be a little more sympathetic...

anyway Wednesday they used a Receesd (spelling?) one use dialyzer and yesterday they used a Baxter one use diaylzer..they are going to reuse on Monday. I will have them flush the system with another liter of saline. Hopefully that will help...I am getting scared to go to dialysis lately...


xo,
R

[calypso]

The tech michelle says I can no longer use dry pack dialyzers.

No longer? So you used to use them and you were fine till now? What do you mean by first use syndrome?

You've been on hemo since July 2010?

Who diagnosed you? The tech or a doctor?
Did you talk to your nephrologist about this yet?

[rsudock]

Calypso
The first use syndrome refers to the allergic reaction people have to the artificial kidney. I guess back in the day everyone would get these allergic reactions to the artificial kidneys, but now people who have been dialyzing for awhile, who have not had any problems, can all of a sudden get these allergic reactions....it is very weird. everything I have read so far has been alot of medical jargon so I am a little confused...i will keep researching...

Yes I have been on hemo since July and never had this reaction until now...

yes you're right, I am going to talk to my doc. He called me this morning so I will return his call on D tonight.

I do trust the tech though because she did recognize I was going into anaphlactic shock and saved me, while the nurse just ran around asking other people what she should do....