I've been going to the Dialysis center for almost 2 years now and since day one my Doc. has been trying to push me into doing it at home instead of at the clinic. I keep telling him no, I'd rather goto the clinic 3 times a week than be hooked up 5 days a week for more total hours. I'm getting good numbers & I'm on the transplant list and believe if thinks are working why change it. No one is going to push me into doing something I do not feel is in my best interest & with my 9 year old girl I like keeping the dialysis & home as separate as I can. I keep feeling their must be a benefit for him to keep pushing it, any ideas.
I’ve did Dialysis for 11 years in-center and there were days I hated being there. My doctor was telling me about home PD for 11 years but I didn’t want some tube sticking out my stomach. Anyhoo, I ran into this website and was amazed with the Nxstage system. At first I thought, I was not going to do Dialysis for 5 – 6 days out of the week especially when I hated doing it for 3 days out of the week. However, after 11 years in-center I was done, I was ready to give up on it but I didn’t want to leave my family behind. So, I decided to give Nxstage a try. At first, I didn’t think I will make it. I was not use to doing it 6 days in one week. I called my nurse and she told me to at least give it six months and I did. After six months, I fell in love with Nxstage. I was taking off a lot of medications (all four of my blood pressure meds), my skin enhanced, my sex drive came back , my energy level pick up, my self-esteem improved (I never wanted to be around people and talk, now I love being around people and do I talk, talk, and talk), I’m a whole lot happier, I feel good most of the times but I do have my days once and a while, and most of all, I have my FREEDOM. I’m not bound to in-center and their schedule. I can change my schedule at any given moment. Although, I’m in-center free, I do miss the 4 days I had off but the added days are worth the benefits.
I can't begin to tell you how much I hated in center. They were never one time, someone always called in leaving them short handed, having to have a nurse present before they would let you in the treatment area, waiting for someone to help you when you cramp, setting off alarms and taking forever to come fix it. I felt weak and sick after most treatments.Home hemo has given me back much more of a normal life, I almost always feel good, no restless leg syndrome, almost perfect labs, very little on fluid and diet restrictions. I couldn't look at a potato without my potassium going up.Yes, I do 5 days a week, but my days are free and I hook up around 6:30 at night, watch a little tv then come off around 9:15 and go to bed.I did PD for 8 years when my kids where little, they adjusted well to it, but I understand about having all the medical supplies in home around them. Every child handles those things different. You can give home hemo a try for 5 days, if you don't like it, you can always go back in center as they should have to hold your time spot for a little while.
Your neph is actually informing you what he fills the best option for you is. Many docs dont even mention home dialysis to their patients. In center dialysis is the worst of all types health wise. You are only dialyzing up to 12 hours per week. Kidneys work 24/7 therefore in-center cannot even come close to cleaning the proper amount of toxins from your system and there is a net buildup over time.Home dialysis removed more toxins and no ups and downs how you feel. Better for long term survivial as well.Also, a transplant is just as effective as nocturnal dialysis. Transplantations is not a cure, but rather another treatment option.I do believe it should be up to the patient in chosing what type of dialysis to choose, but I also believe all options including as much information as possible regarding each one should be presented to the patient, including pros and cons of each...///M3R
I Hate Dialysis Message Board
I Hate Dialysis Message Board
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