Home Hemo Dialysis Alone

[noahvale]

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[Sugarlump]

No just the way I had phrased it I guess we always use fresh needles!

[Simon Dog]

No just the way I had phrased it I guess we always use fresh needles!

It's important to have a clinic that does not skimp on supplies so there is no temptation to use shortcuts.   I've heard of some clinics repackaging the needles to they only send out a minimum amount each month.   I've been fortunate - the clinic I use is very generous with supplies and I get my needles in the factory box.     

[obsidianom]

Another option in that situation is leave the original needle in, clamp it off, and start a new needle quickly ad then switch. We have done that. You just have 3 needles in place. The advantage there is you don't have to wait and the heparin will be gone by the time you pull out the needles later.

[Zero]

I've been doing solo treatments since I started in October. I have my daughter and son to help if I need something but being 8 and 7 there help is limited. If I wasn't able to do it alone that would totally make this a burden and I don't know if I would be able to work full-time and have a life.

[Sugarlump]

Don't think the three needle option would work for us as we have buttonholes or should I say did ...
Monday we couldn't  get v needle to work and ended up having to stop as line clotted.
I am back in Addenbrookes hospital with a temporary groin line whilst they see if they can clear it. Currently a maybe. Feeling very very depressed as knowing I am looking at no home dialysis for months otherwise...
Sometimes I wonder why me. Why the bloody hell does it go so wrong for me.
I feel shattered emotionally trying to stay positive I have the best surgeon possible here but
**##**!!!**## aaaarrrghhhh!

[Simon Dog]

Don't think the three needle option would work for us as we have buttonholes or should I say did ...

If you have trouble with a buttonhole, you can always do a sharp in an unused location and try the buttonhole again the next day.  Even if you are a buttonholer, you should be equipped and trained to do sharps/ladder as well a you may need that skill.    The more you know how to do, the better equipped you are to deal with various happenings.

[noahvale]

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[cattlekid]

I agree with noahvale.  I started NxStage training with a catheter while I waited for my fistula to mature.  Once my fistula was matured, I went back to the clinic for a few treatments to have the nurse establish the buttonholes.

[obsidianom]

I agree with noahvale.  I started NxStage training with a catheter while I waited for my fistula to mature.  Once my fistula was matured, I went back to the clinic for a few treatments to have the nurse establish the buttonholes.

ditto here. We started with catheter. Now we use sharps as buttonholes didn't work well for us.

[Sugarlump]

I am having op tomorrow to insert Teflon graft into my fistula bypassing narrowed stretch.
If it is successful we can use straight away but my other half will need some sharps practise.
Otherwise they will have to create new fistula probably in right arm which will take 2-3 months to mature.
I only have a temporary groin line in and our centre does not like home haemo patients with femoral lines
Keep fingers crossed the graft works.

[cassandra]

Fingers crossed here!!

Lots of good luck, love, and strength, Cas

[noahvale]

^

[Sugarlump]

I have to rest it a week in hospital and let the graft recover before they try using it here and pray my temporary groin line keeps working.
i am starting to run out of options because I have had 4 previous dialysis catheters (2 necklines 2 groin lines) and it took 5 attempts to get a fistula in my tiny veins.
i am really hoping the graft works for us.
The biggest problem will be that grafts are rare in East Anglia and therefore nurse specialists with graft needling experience thin on the ground especially to train my other half
to use it. That also means no local back up if we have problems but I shall fight hard to get home again. We had just got into the swing of home dialysis and were loving the freedom and my results
were good. So disappointing.
Trying to stay positive. Emotionally I struggle with all the decision making.
Who knows what is the best thing to do in the end you just have to trust (a little bit blindly) your doc and your gut.

[Bill Peckham]

Bill Peckham has dialyzed at home alone for years. At first he listed his dog as his care partner. Now he doesn't even bother with that ruse.

What? I think this is missing /s


Northwest Kidney Centers has supported lone dialysis since September 2002 when I switched from, the B Braun at home (dialyzing with a helper), to lone dialysis with the Aksys PHD.