Scheduled to start nxstage training on Nov. 16th

[del]

Well, its been well over a year trying to get training started for nxstage.  Hubby will be the first in this province trained totally by the training nurse.  When we first started talking about this with the dialysis training unit the training was supposed to have been done at the unit over a 6 hour drive from us but that has all changed and we will be trained at the unit about an hour's drive from us so we wil be able to be home every night.  We have been doing nocturnal home hemo on a fresenius  machine for 9 years and am really looking forward to having an easier and faster setup.

[Simon Dog]

I've done both BabyK and Nxstage.  What surprised me is that NxStage did not take any more time - what I spent on additional treatments was made up in reduced setup/teardown time.    Plus, now that NxStage is FDA approved for nocturnal in the US, it's easier to get a doc to support nocturnal with that machine.

[willowtreewren]

Yea!!!! Finally!

 

You will be a pro in no time. I'm so happy that this is happening for you!

 

Aleta

[Hootie]

We have been pleased with NxStage machine and their tech support is outstanding. 

[Vt Big Rig]

We have been Next Stage users since April. I agree that tech support is great. Customer service is sometimes weird but I have nothing but good things to say about tech support. Day and Night.

I think you will be pleased.

[PrimeTimer]

Since you've already been doing home-hemo, you've won half the battle right there! Tape the phone number to NxStage Tech Support on the front of your cycler. Here in the US they are available to us 24/7. They will walk you through any situation that may arise, even during treatment (that's why they are so awesome) and answer questions in such a way that you will be able to understand. Your nurse may be well-trained on NxStage but their tech support is truly outstanding and in my opinion, the first ones you want to call.

[Simon Dog]

NxStage tech support usually answers within a minute.  There are occasions, however, when it takes 10 minutes or more go get one of their people on the line which can be a problem if your blood isn't moving.  And, the number is easy to remember - 1 866 NXSTAGE.

NxStage is doubly awesome if you can get your clinic to issue you a Nx2Me configured Ipad.

[Vt Big Rig]

NxStage tech support usually answers within a minute.  There are occasions, however, when it takes 10 minutes or more go get one of their people on the line which can be a problem if your blood isn't moving.  And, the number is easy to remember - 1 866 NXSTAGE.

Gosh, I have never waited long if I was on the machine. If I pushed the button for not in treatment, sometimes a wait. But never 10 minutes.

[Simon Dog]

Gosh, I have never waited long if I was on the machine. If I pushed the button for not in treatment, sometimes a wait. But never 10 minutes.

It's a very rare occurrence, but it can and does happen.

The "press if in treatment" puts you in a priority queue, but does not interrupt any calls, even non-urgent ones, in progress.

Once, the system transferred me to an answering service and they had someone call back about 10 minutes later.

[del]

Got the first day of training done!!  It went really well!!

[del]

The first week of training is done!!!  The nurse aimed for a kt/v of 2.4 and Walt's was 2.32 so that was really good!!  We will be able to do nocturnal but we have a couple weeks of training left and we have to have the nxstage home for about a month before we can do nocturnal.  Just to make sure we are very comfortable with the machine. 

[willowtreewren]

Yea!!!!!!

 

[Simon Dog]

I've been told the FMC standard is 6 months non-nocturnal before nocturnal.   I'd consider a month rather short for getting the experience/comfort necessary to do nocturnal with confidence.

[del]

We have been doiung nocturnal with the fresenius machine for 9 years.

[Simon Dog]

We have been doiung nocturnal with the fresenius machine for 9 years.

It's a matter of getting used to all the nuances of the machine and the Pure Flow.    One month may indeed to it for you.

I wish you the best of luck.    If you find that the night alarms are not loud enough for you, I can email you the schematic and parts list for the auxillary alarm I had custom built.    The designs cost me a case of .223 ammo, but you can have them for free   

[del]

Thanks!!!  I will get back to you on the alarms!!

[del]

After 2 weeks of training for nxstage , hubby decided he does not like the machine and is gone back to our fresenius at home machine.

[PrimeTimer]

One has to go with what they are most comfortable and confident with, whether it's the ease of setup and use or getting good lab results. It was about the 2-week mark into training with my husband that I just about quit -thought it was too overwhelming and that I couldn't do it. Of course back then I had just lost my mother two weeks prior and only the month before were we told that my husband needed dialysis. About two weeks into training, I broke down. And I remember it was while we were being trained to use/hang the bags. I gave it a couple days and resumed and now I am glad I did. And I learned to use the Pureflow, Whew! What a relief THAT was! I'm sure if I had to learn to use the big Fresenius machine I'd freak. Best wishes to you both. Perhaps if he wants he can try the NxStage again later or...maybe not. Either way, he needs to feel good about his decision and hope you do, too. Darn this stress!

[Simon Dog]

I agree that tech support is great.

Sometimes the tech support person you reach is working from home.

[Simon Dog]

I'm sure if I had to learn to use the big Fresenius machine I'd freak.

The big machine is not really more complicated - just different things to learn.

But, you would be spending a lot more time prior to, and after, treatment dealing with the machine.  And, if you call Fresenius for help you will be told "I don't know how to do treatments, I just fix the machines" (been there, done that).

[Vt Big Rig]

Del,

As a NxStage user I am just curious what is it about NxStage your husband did not like. Everyone has to be happy with their choice and I certainly am not trying to change his mind but I am curious if you do not mind sharing.