QUESTION!

[geoffcamp]

I am wondering. Can you do home hemodialysis with a perm cath??  I have had a perm cath for about 4 years now. I do not have any viable options left in my arms for another graft or fistula. All my accesses other than the perm cath have clotted. Unless or until we figure out why I am clotting I will be using the cath for hemodialysis. So can I be a candidate for home dialysis??  The hook up is a lot easier i would think with no needles. Anyone have any experience with this or information?  I think I would do very well getting more dialysis in at home and on my schedule. Look forward to hearing if anyone has tried this. THX G.

[noahvale]

*

[geoffcamp]

So if I am hearing you correct pushing heparin would be an issue. I do get a high dose of heparin at treatment and the nurses are the one who have to come over and administer the heparin. It kind of defeats the whole purpose if I would have to go to the hospital or treatment center after every treatment to get heparin so I'll ask and see. So those who do home hemodialysis cannot administer their own heparin either?  Even with needles?

[noahvale]

*

[Tío Riñon]

While at the Kidney Disease Convention this past summer, I did ask the NxStage rep if a patient could use their device with a permacath (I have a relative who has one) and was told that it is possible.  I don't know what your options are regarding your clotting issues, but I think you should pursue the matter with your clinic if you're interested.

Let us know how things work out.

[Henry P Snicklesnorter]

.

[geoffcamp]

COOL THX for the info guys. I'm not currently getting and clotting meds as you suggested. Just cumidine (sp?) to thin my blood a little. I asked at my dialysis center but the major roadblock I see is I live alone. So there is no owner here to be trained and they seem to frown on that. My parents live aboutb10 miles away so I guess I could get my mom to train. Do they actually come and check on you to see if someone else is there every time you dialyze??  Truthfully I would just have her trained but do it on my own. There is access to emergency personal and my parents live very close so I could have someone at my place in a matter of 10 minutes max if something went wrong. Any thoughts on that???  I really would like the convience of doing it at home and getting some extra time on the machine. These long weekends from Friday to Monday night have really caught up to me so if I could get an extra 3-4 hours a week on the machine I think I would feel a ton better!!!  Please keep the suggestions coming and tell me about your experiences!!  THX again Geoff

[CebuShan]

If you can get someone else to train with you, it is a good idea.
 I do my treatment myself. I can usually tell if something is wrong by how I feel but I also have LifeAlert installed in case of an emergency. A good idea to have someone with you (even if they don't really do anything.) I'm training a couple of friends tonight to help in case I need it.
Is there a neighbor that could come and visit while your are doing a treatment?

[cdwbrooklyn]

Geoff, I doubt if someone will come and visit you when you get home. Maybe for the first day or two to connect your machine and see how you are doing.  After that no one will come to your home unless you ask him or her.   So go for it.  My mom came to several training sessions to learn the machine just in case of an emergency.  However, I doubt if she remembers because I’ve been doing it without her for three years.  Anyhoo, when you get home you can let some family and friends know your home and to call you once in a while to see if you are okay.   Don’t let the center know you are doing it alone if that’s a problem.  Tell them your mother will be your care taker.   You will get the hang of it and realize you really don’t need anyone; but it feels good to know you can rely on someone should you need him or her.

[geoffcamp]

Great exactly the info I was looking for!!  I'm inquiring at friday dialysis. Anyone know if NxStage is only available at certain centers because of the company that owns the center for instance alike a clinic owned by Baxter or fresenius. I know sometime the equipment you can get depends on what company owns your dialysis clinic. THX all!!  G.

[geoffcamp]

I just sent an email to NxStage to see how I can get this going!!!  Can't wait!!

[chook]

Best of luck with it all, Geoff!

[jeannea]

I don't know about getting nx stage at Fresenius vs. DaVita centers. I do know not every center offers home hemo. My center barely had the resources to support HD and PD. they looked into adding home hemo but they would have needed more staff and more space and it wasn't feasible. Another clinic about 30 miles away offered it and they referred people there. It costs time and money to add treatment modalities.

[Whamo]

Home dialysis using PD makes my kidney center money, while the hemo center drains it.  Maybe it's a California Medicare issue.  Who knows?   

[geoffcamp]

I got an email and info is on the way!!!  I'm excited. I know 2-4 extra hours will do amazing things for me!!!  You guys are great. Thank you for your information and support!!  G.