NxStage v. PD? Especially for travel...

[misslynette]

Hi people ~

Here I am with yet another question about home dialysis. A couple of weeks ago, Mike had decided to do PD at home. Went to see the surgeon, but in the meantime, started thinking maybe home hemo with NxStage might be a better option.

Worry #1: Catheter v. Fistula. Our goal is to be able to travel as much as possible, especially to our house in Mexico. A fistula seems like it might be a little better in terms of infection risk?

Worry #2: Supplies... I'm sure we can get a lot of what we need in Merida, as it's got good quality medical care. Most people in Mexico do PD, so I don't know if the fluids for NxStage would be available there.

Worry #3: How portable is that NxStage thing? Someone told me 70 pounds, also said it had to have a dedicated water supply, which would probably be very difficult in our little beach house.

Worry #4: I don't know, just generalized anxiety about the whole thing. The PA who talked to Mike in clinic a few days ago was so negative, on everything, really. It was quite discouraging. He was against transplants, against PD, against home hemo. Ugh.

Okay. Any thoughts appreciated. I know everyone's got a favorite system, so open to experiences with travel, portability, outcomes re overall health with either method.

Gracias ~ lynette*

*who wants to at least VISIT her little house in Mexico for a couple of weeks a year 

[Kong]

I've been doing PD for a few months now and only traveled once. It was only a few days and we traveled by car so I brought everything with me. The Baxter cycler is small enough to fit in a medium sized suitcase and all the supplies fit into a duffel bag for the trip.
 I have yet to have any problems with infection. If you keep the exit site clean and change the dressing everyday there shouldn't be any problems with that. Remembering to hook everything up aseptic will help reduce any chance of infection internally. If he decides to go the PD route he will learn all of that in training.
My numbers have been great except for blood sugars doing PD but that is being worked on right now.
I hope this helps a little and good luck with whatever way you choose to do.

[MooseMom]

You may want to check out the NxStage Users forum:

http://www.nxstageusers.com/forum/forum.php

[Atooraya]

I can tell you about the baxter pd. I've been on it for a year and travel with it throughout the us. Easy. I watch aseptic practices and cleanliness. Play racquetball twice a week. Pd has been good to me.

[PatDowns]

Worry #4: I don't know, just generalized anxiety about the whole thing. The PA who talked to Mike in clinic a few days ago was so negative, on everything, really. It was quite discouraging. He was against transplants, against PD, against home hemo. Ugh.

What were the reasons your husband's PA gave against transplantation, PD and home hemo?  Conversely, does he extoll incenter dialysis?  Does your husband's nephrologist share his views?

[Jie]

Worry #1: Catheter v. Fistula. Our goal is to be able to travel as much as possible, especially to our house in Mexico. A fistula seems like it might be a little better in terms of infection risk?

For PD, infection risk should not be a big problem. If one follows the procedure, the infection risk is very low for PD, especially for the cycler.