2 days in a row, on and off dialysis

[Voodookitty]

In May, my Mom was admitted to the hospital two times, due to CHF.
Both episodes occurred early Monday mornings.
I am assuming that this would have something to do with the 2 days off without her in center dialysis treatments and fluid control.
(she is on M-W-F schedule, 4 hours each day)

At our most recent Doctors appt., the Doctor asked my Mom to consider doing 4 days a week, 3 hours each treatment.
And, that was understandable to me.

Until the dialysis center came up with the revised schedule.
It would be M- W- TH- F.
SAT. or SUN., no dialysis?

Can someone shed light on this, for me?
I mean, wouldn't it make sense to have the 4th day be on Saturday?
Will 2 days in a row like that help us to prevent those future Monday morning episodes?

I don't get it 

[Voodookitty]

OOPS!
Did I say 2 days on and off?
OMG... I'm sleepy.

I meant 3 days on, all in a row and then... 2 days off, in a row!

zzzzzzzzzz ~ going to sleep, now

[Rerun]

It is worth a try.  An on her 2 days off she has to restrict her liquid.  No 24 ounce Ice Teas.  Sips of water with medication and half her usual amounts.  Half of a cup of coffee in the morning etc... 

Reason number 1 why dialysis sucks!

[boswife]

agree w/rerun IF it has to be 'those' days.  I dont understand though  why they dont do m,w,th, and then sat.  something like that.  I know it can be done, but will they..hum.  I'd work on that.  When bo was in center, they had 'request' lists, so if you wanted different hours, it went by who asked first.  It worked well.  Wonder if they have that and just havent offered that option to you..  best of luck.  It seems that it's a constant battle of ups and downs with this but make it as workable and health promoting as possible

[amanda100wilson]

The two days off in a row is a killer.   Cardiac deaths are more common after the two day off interval.  Just a thought, is home hemo an option for your mum?  No two day interval then.

[cdwbrooklyn]

Hello VoodooKitty,

Three days on and two days off consistently, I've never thought about that.   Everyone is different, you never know, it may work for her.  However, I would try it once to seen how her results come out.  If her results are good than go for it.  I've done three days on and one day off and my results were good.   Now I'm going to try two days on and one day off to see what will happen.  Anyhoo, everyone is different and their bodies handle dialysis differently.  I'm always trying new things so I can continue living a closet to normal life.   

Let me know what happens?

Thanks. 

[Voodookitty]

Thank you guys, for your input!

Although in home hemo was never offered as an option, I don't think it would be an option for my Mom. (for too many reasons)

Yesterday, we had a Doctors appt and the Doctor prescribed her a Diuretic (80 mg. Lasex) to take on her non-dialysis days.
I wonder though, if 80 mg. is too high?  She was on Lasex a long time ago, and I remember it was only 40 mg.... hmmmm

I guess we'll see if controlling fluids and the diuretic will help.

Hello VoodooKitty,

Let me know what happens?

Thanks. 

Hi cdwbrooklyn,   she declined to do a 4th day - for now, anyway.

[PatDowns]

I'm sorry to be so harsh with my comment, but your mother sounds like is a prime candidate for becoming a "Killer Weekend Syndrome" statistic.  Even more so because of her history with cardiovascular disease.  The x4 weekly dialysis sessions sounds completely reasonable for her.  However, the schedule the dialysis center came up with is defeating the purpose of the additional treatment.  What makes sense would be Mon-Wed-Thur-Sat or Mon-Tues-Thurs-Sat so she does not have a two day period w/o treatment. 

Let her nephrologist know you are knowledgeable about the "Killer Weekend Syndrome" and how your mother fits the profile.  Here's a link to the info:

http://www.hemodoc.com/2012/01/the-kjellstrand-lecture-the-deadly-delay-part-iii-the-killer-weekend.html

Dialysis pts are sometimes put on furosemide (Lasix) to treat pulmonary edema whether they still urinate or not. Furosemide is given to "shift" fluids out from the lungs, making it easier to dialyze out of the body.  Someone should keep an eye on her once starting this protocol since furosemide can have its own set of problems.

I hope your mom can get stabilized quickly and with no further complications.  -  Pat