when dialisate is finished, do I still dialyse?

[cassandra]

Hi all, the last few times on Nxstage ( 5 x 2,5 hrs 30 liters) I noticed that 15 mins before the end, that the dialysate (sp?) was on 0. Is there any point finishing the 15 minutes, or would I just be sitting there for the hell of it?

I didn't notice it before, been doing it for 7,5 wks now or something, very happy about it, but 15 mins without dialysate sounds weird to me.

thanks already, Cas

[boswife]

yea, thats not the way it's suppose to go.. that and the uf should end about the same time for max ease on your heart (at the center, they would speed up the uf so as to get us off the machine faster and then just clean for the last hour or so... was told that you want that fluid taken off nice and slow (as your doing) so as to not cramp etc.. BUT.. in your case, it needs to comme off a bit faster so as you get it all off before the other runs out) ... From what i read!  So, what happens is you have to adjust your numbers in the beginning.  I did the same occasionally and so called nxStage and they helped,  and and got best info from the good people at 'home dialysors united' .  They know EVERYTHING!  But, just to let ya know, even if your out of dialysate, your still taking off fluid that last time on the machine so thats what needs to be upped so it goes off slightly before the dialysate.   ewe... hope someone comes on and explaines better.. 

[cassandra]

Thanx Boswife, but my UF is on 0 as well    So I'll call Nxstage on Monday.

Thanks again, love Cas

[boswife]

wow... thats a new one on me    I'll be interested to see what up..  Im sure its just in the #'s but cant figure what it could be.  You can call them 24 hrs a day though so mabie ya want to call sooner so we can find out too   

[Bill Peckham]

Thanx Boswife, but my UF is on 0 as well    So I'll call Nxstage on Monday.

Thanks again, love Cas

You've removed your target fluid (UF) and gone through the set amount of dialysate (30 liters) and you still have 15 minutes left?

[cassandra]

Yes, UF finished too, 1 time was 0.1 UF to go. Thank you for tipping me on the Helpline being open every day, I forgot that. I just rang, and spoke to them, and was told that you don't dialyse anymore!! If it says UF still to come off I should finish the time, but as the machine takes more off, usually, than wanted, you can stop!!!

       Fantastic!! This machine keeps giving, and giving.

Thanks for your help, and reactions.

love Cas

[M3Riddler]

Hi all, the last few times on Nxstage ( 5 x 2,5 hrs 30 liters) I noticed that 15 mins before the end, that the dialysate (sp?) was on 0. Is there any point finishing the 15 minutes, or would I just be sitting there for the hell of it?

I didn't notice it before, been doing it for 7,5 wks now or something, very happy about it, but 15 mins without dialysate sounds weird to me.

thanks already, Cas

It sounds like one of the system settings may not be set correctly or not set at all.  You may want to get a master list from your clinic and run through them to make sure correct. There are 73 settings but only appprox 15-20 ever need changed.

[cassandra]

Good tip, I'll start asking my HH nurse. I might get an answer next year Christmas 

[lmunchkin]

Cass, Im very surprised that it did not alarm.  I was told to never keep Dialysising if there is No Dialysate.  Maybe you need to up the amount of UF per hour, so as to get it off before dialysate runs out.  I have a chart that I refer to, to help me with it if Im in doubt. I don't refer to it much anymore cause I can pretty much do it in my head.  But if you will PM me, I can have it sent to you.

Id say no to continuing to dialysize with out dialysate.  Your blood is just runing through the machine and not doing anything.

God Bless,
lmunchkin

[cassandra]

Don't worry Imunchkin, my UF is always finished (I have that chart, but thanx anyway), and I'm checking every day now if my dialysate is finished, so I can get off. On the helpline they did say, it could sometimes happen that the dialysate runs out....

love Cas

[*kana*]

I know this is a very old post but I thought I would leave info for those having the same issues.  I am training and ALWAYS end 15min early because my dialystate ends and I have only a .1 UF left.  I dont pee at all but have a very difficult time drinking enough so normally only take 1/2 kg off.  When your set your UF low this will happen. 

[iKAZ3D]

When I go my allotted time (4 hours) they stop the UF at 3:45 and it goes through refill. Basically checking to see how much fluid is leftover.