Going to five days per week.

[monrein]

I'm sure you're right silverhead and it does make the most sense to do it that way.  I want to just try it this way first because of my cottage which I've missed due to feeling so lousy pre-dialysis.  If its too much I'll listen to my body for sure and we've already talked about it at the center, my nurse and I.  So we'll see how it goes and I'll keep you updated.

[flip]

Monrein....you might want to try my setup if you are getting headaches. I hook straight up and start the saline as soon as the blood starts flowing. I also do a thorough rinse at the end. You need to adjust to an extra 0.5-1.0 kg. of fluid removal because of the extra saline. It works well for me and I feel great when I leave the center.

[monrein]

Thanks Flip, I'll try that.  I've also just upped my dry weight by half a kilo and last time was good.  I had lost quite a bit of weight pre-dialysis so I think the dry weight was too low and I also may not have been drinking enough.  Good tip about the saline.

[keith]

good luck

[Stacy Without An E]

I've been doing six days a week, two hours each shift since January.  I have to say I feel more balanced than before, but some weeks my arm never stops hurting and I'm in constant pain.  In our center, Medicare pays for four days and the center eats the other two.  I'm fortunate to be in a non-profit center so all money earned goes back into the center.  I doubt a chain like Davita or Fresenius would allow this as they seem to nickel and dime everything (including using non-sterile gauze pads because they're cheaper, thus endangering patient health)

Since it's the summertime, on average I've been going five days a week and skipping a day to simply enjoy a day away and clear my head.  What I call "Dialysis Fatigue" sets in sometimes and I have to get away or I'll go clinically insane.

[del]

Petey hubby is much like Marvin in getting used to the loose fluid restrictions. There are times when he goes to hook up that he is below his dry weight.  Summer time is really good because he can drink everything he wants plus more. he sweaTS OUT ALL THE EXTRA FLUID!!!  Hubby's dialysis nurse told us that a lot of people feel thirsty between treatments because they are uremic and being uremic makes you thirsty. Hubby used to alwways find that by Monday night (he did Tues, Thurs, Sat) he would be thirsty gues that was why!!  Don't get that feeling with daily dialysis because the blood is being cleaned better.

[monrein]

Hey Stacy, do you have buttonholes?

[del]

Hubby does 5 nights a week.  He has buttonholes and no pain at all in his arm.

[Ohio Buckeye]

I hope it all goes well for you.

[Stacy Without An E]

No, not presently.  I've actually been having issues with my graft swelling when a certain area is used too much.  Keep in mind that my graft is TWELVE YEARS OLD.  The transplant people teased me last fall with a request for more tests to check up on my health.  I haven't heard a word since.  I'm thinking of having another one put in, but the thought of another surgery makes me a little queasy.

I may have no choice though.

[pelagia]

I've been thinking of you all day today.  I hope it went well.

[monrein]

Thanks Linda.  Although I really don't like how every day takes my time I actually am feeling better when I come off so it's worth it.  Being able to go for a walk and even out for dinner after dialysis means I lose time but gain back better quality time when I'm free.
I also did a great workout today and feel like I'm getting more of my former energy back.
Hope all is terrific with Stephen.


Stacy, sorry to hear about the swelling and can certainly understand your reluctance about another surgery.  Hang in there (obviously you're already very good at that) and if it comes to it I know you'll handle it with the usual grace.

[del]

Monrein when we did our training for home hemo hubby did short daily runs for 5 weeks Mon. to Fri.  He had no problems whatsoever with the 2 days off.  He just watched his fluid and took his binders for phos. 

[Bajanne]

Trusting that everything goes well for you with this new schedule.  sounding good.  let us know how it goes.

[twirl]

dialysis fatique
thanks
now I know what to call the way I feel
take care of yourself
enjoy your posts
my daughter is Stacy with a Stasie

[del]

Monrein , how did the first week of 5 days a week go??  Do you fel better??  How did the 2 days off go?? 

[monrein]

Thanks for asking Del.  It went really well and no headaches except for a slight one the second day.  I felt good on the weekend and we went to the cottage for two nights.  I had to be pretty careful, the usual over the weekend but I have a bit more flexibility with every day and they're encouraging me to drink more.  I have to cut out more of my BP pills as I haven't had such good pressures since I was about 4 months old.

My venous needle infiltrated again last Thursday so we rested it and went back to the cath but today we used the fistula with two 16 g needles (we'd been using the 15g before).  The nurses think we should try to do the ladder technique until the fistula gets a bit stronger then go back and establish the buttonholes.  That's a little disappointing but it's a pretty minor blip, all things considered.

Love to you, hubby and of course the garden.

[del]

Monrein hubby felt almost as well doing the short daily as he does doing the long nocturnal treatments. Blood levels weren't much different than with nocturnal . The phosphorus level was his problem with short daily and he didn't want to go back to taking binders.  We are planning a trip to St. John's in August for 2 nights without an in center treatment.  I don't think he will have any probs. If he wants to have a beer he will just have to do something strenuos to sweat it out!! lol!!

Hope you get your transplant soon.

[monrein]

What binders did he take Del?  I just take calcium carbonate tablets, one with small meals and snacks and two with a larger meal. 

[del]

He took renagel. Usually 2 or 3 with a meal and one with snacks. He found them really hard on his belly though.