Home Hemo without a partner

[Maker]

Hi everyone,

I would love to hear from anyone who lives alone and is doing home hemo.  I just started in-center, but it is very disruptive to my life and work schedule    Everything I read seems to indicate it isn't safe to do home hemo (not PD) without a partner, but I live alone and no prospects of finding a quick husband   

Thanks so much and God bless you all!

[Zach]

IHD Bill Peckham does the NxStage at home alone.

Here's his blog:
http://www.billpeckham.com/from_the_sharp_end_of_the/

A few others here do it as well.
Search in the Home Dialysis, Home Dialysis - NxStage Users and Nocturnal threads here at IHD.

[Lillupie]

Maker, I am in the same boat that you are in. I am on PD at the moment and I wish i go switch over to home hemo especially since there is less dietary restrictions if are doing short daily home hemo. I too am single and they want a partner to train with you. I guess no hme hemo for me.

Lisa

[kimcanada]

In Nova Scotia Canada they just started to allow you to be trained for home hemo even if you are alone, fight for it... it can be done

[Floridasue]

I fought for home hemo and succeeded.  It will be 8 months now and I love it.  I feel so much better than when I was 3xs a week in center.  I live alone and of my 3 weeks training  I only had to have my son come two of the weeks.  They know I have an assortment of friends and family come in during my treatments and was finally okah with those arrangements.  Actually except for lab days I could manage by myself, I think.  Good luck with your getting to get it.

[Stoday]

According to the guidelines for England & Wales, you should be able to have home hemo dialysis without a partner. However, I haven't yet met anyone here who does so and my unit says I shall have to have a partner.

[Bill Peckham]

It's up to the provider. In Seattle the Northwest Kidney Centers will support people who live alone. I've been dialyzing alone at home since 2002.

[Maker]

Wow, thanks everyone!  I am so encouraged today to know some of you are doing home hemo alone and that I might be able to look forward to that in the future     My dialysis center does not offer home hemo at all, however, my neph is so accomodating and when I ask for things that are a little outside the box he tries to honor all my requests.  I think I am a "special patient" since I am the youngest one there    Anyway, he said he would try to make it happen if I want home hemo, but is concerned about my safety doing it alone.  I am going to talk to him about learning that others are doing it and try to convince him I will be safe.  Thanks again for the encouragement, and Bill I am going to check out your blog.

[Bill Peckham]

Wow, thanks everyone!  I am so encouraged today to know some of you are doing home hemo alone and that I might be able to look forward to that in the future     My dialysis center does not offer home hemo at all, however, my neph is so accomodating and when I ask for things that are a little outside the box he tries to honor all my requests.  I think I am a "special patient" since I am the youngest one there    Anyway, he said he would try to make it happen if I want home hemo, but is concerned about my safety doing it alone.  I am going to talk to him about learning that others are doing it and try to convince him I will be safe.  Thanks again for the encouragement, and Bill I am going to check out your blog.

Check out the posts Meinuk put up on DSEN http://www.billpeckham.com/from_the_sharp_end_of_the/writer_anna_bennett especially this one http://www.billpeckham.com/from_the_sharp_end_of_the/2008/08/the-right-to-op.html

The thing I say is that dialyzing more frequently is so much safer than dialyzing three days a week that it doesn't matter if you are alone or not. Check out Dori Schatell's testimony at Friday's CMS Town Hall meeting http://www.billpeckham.com/from_the_sharp_end_of_the/2009/10/schatells-comments-to-the-cms.html the concern your doctor should have is for how dangerous it is to have a two day weekend.

[Hanify]

Ok - I think this person needs to get gone!!!

[Bill Peckham]

Ok - I think this person needs to get gone!!!

??

[Hanify]

There was a thread there from a spammer called qweqwe - it's gone now.

[MattyBoy100]

Hi Maker,

I am in a similar situation to you in the UK.  I have been told by nursing staff that I cannot have it either but the guidelines state that if you are capable then you can.

I have to see my consultant and push the barriers and maybe get things going for those patients who want to treat themselves at home.  I am 37 and am working and hate going to in centre dialysis.

I am going to fight tooth and nail for home hemo as I am sure it can be done and I will prove it to my docs!

m