which provider

[bill44]

I introduced myself a few days ago and received a lot of warm welcomes. Today I had my shoulder shunt put in and Wednesday I will have my last kidney removed. Therefore I have to make a decision of which center to go to after I am released from hospital. Luckily I live in Dallas and there are about 8 within 20 miles of me. Ultimately I would like to do my treatments at home.
OK - the tricky question: what are pros and cons of NxStage versus Fresenius home equipment and support. I hope this is not going to open a can of worms.
Thanks

[willowtreewren]

I'm not familiar with Fresenius, but I CAN tell you about NxStage. The machine is relatively small and portable. We were able to pack it up and travel whenever we wanted. We even took it camping with us for a week in Florida. And went to Massachusetts to visit our daughter 4 times a year. NxStage would send the supplies ahead with no problems.

Many people fly with NxStage and that CAN be more difficult, but some prior planning and communication with the airlines goes a long way.

Tech support for NxStage was always very helpful. They patiently walked us through several doozies of problems (mostly user errors). When we DID need to have a machine switched out, the new machine arrived the very next day.

I hope some others weigh in. 

Aleta

[MooseMom]

NxStage is marketed as being "portable" which is a big plus if you want to travel.  I don't know much about the other machine, but I am assuming that if you are using it for home hemo and want to travel, you will have to dialyze in a clinic while on the road.