Effects of three day a week dialysis

[dialysisadvocate]

I just finished reading a post from the kidney doctor's website (I recall MooseMom also read and commented) -- The commentary is focused on three day a week dialysis and consequences related to cardiac events -- I remember many patients and still communicate with many, who after their two day weekend off from dialysis, return to dialysis with increased problems during and post dialysis -- A while back, Bill Peckham, a dialysis patient and advocate, started an every other day petition for dialysis versus three days a week -- I am just wondering how people feel about this --

Here is the site for the commentary  http://www.thekidneydoctor.org/2012/05/dialysis-unplugged-conventional.html
And, MooseMom, I agree fully with your comment -- YES - when is someone going to effect change?

Roberta Mikles BA RN www.qualitysafepatientcare.com  Dialysis Patient Safety Advocate

[Rerun]

It probably boils down to $$$ .  And I think if people (including myself) would stick to their diets and fluid restrictions we wouldn't have the problem over the weekend.  But, we have to enjoy life. 

So the ones paying the bills makes the rules.

[Whamo]

Rerun is right.  It's about the money.  Face it, dialysis patients cost a lot of money to health insurance companies and the government.  I would like to get daily dialysis myself, but realize it's not financially feasible. 

[noahvale]

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[MooseMom]

Rerun is right.  It's about the money.  Face it, dialysis patients cost a lot of money to health insurance companies and the government.  I would like to get daily dialysis myself, but realize it's not financially feasible.

But the other side of the equation is how much extra money is spent in sending people to the ER and then having to admit them because of the adverse effects of dialysis administered so aggressively in the 3x week model?  There is an enormous amount of evidence out there about "cardiac stunning" and the CV consequences of this sort of dialysis, and it is a HUGE expense to treat these patients for maladies caused by the very treatments that are supposed to keep them alive.

This is the sort of information that needs to be shared with patients so that they can make up their own minds about how much dialysis they want.

There are people who do inclinic nocturnal, like noahvale, and this is a modality that should be encouraged.  This is where the enormous profits made by the Davitas and the Fresenii of the world should be directed.  I personally would rather see more clinics offering nocturnal HD than Mr. Thiry make even more money off sick people.

[dialysisadvocate]

Not that many units offer nocturnal .. I remember, here in San Diego, there was ONLY one facility that offered nocturnal in our area, or close by.. Yes, Mr. KT will make more money and to think he is going to run for congress, if I read correctly...? we are in for a real ride if that happens.. Even Obama picked a person from Davita, Nancy DeParle for one of his top healthcare positions (can't recall which one it is now)...the entire political arena is so incestuous it is ridiculous --

AND, MooseMom -- you are absolutely correct -- if they counted the millions of dollars spent on sending patients to the ER perhaps they would take another view on this entire situation -- but then again --maybe not...Medicare, I am sure, has data on how much has been spent on hospitalizations.....

Bill, if you read this -- what ever happened to the EOD petition --? we need to start this again --

opinions of Roberta Mikles BA RN
Dialysis Patient Safety Advocate www.qualitysafepatientcare.com

[Whamo]

Nxtstage is not an option for me because my wife wont' go along with it.  And my other health problems make it unfeasible. 

[mogee]

My sister's brother in law died on a Monday of sudden cardiac arrest.  Two days without D contributed to the stress on his heart (along with obesity, diabetes and poor lifestyle).  Every other day dialysis is a must since most everyone on conventional 3x weekly dialysis is underdialysed.  Going from 3x per week to 3.5x per week will save lives.