Protein Loss on Frequency of Dialysis

[cris]

Hi! Please we need your inputs.
Nanay is having a hard time after her graft operation due to clotting. She cannot stand the 4 hrs. now. She is becoming fidgety at the last hour. I suggested to the Neph if Nanay can do 4x at 3hrs. instead of the 3x at 4 hrs. The neph refused, she said if we increased the frequency, Nanay will be losing much protein, and she is so frail already. I kind of doubted this as we are really not increasing the dialysis we are just taking away hrs. and putting it up on another day. Are they just afraid of losing profits? As I requested them that payments should not changed based on the 3x/4hrs. weekly.
I know some of you are on hemo like Nanay and are on less hours but more frequent times. What did your Neph say about the protein pull out.
Any thoughts please.
Plus Nanay's graft has torn skins along the sides, since her skin became so thin that a light rub will scrape her skin off. We are only applying bactroban along the sides and emla to numb the sting.
Thank you for your inputs.
love,
cris

[paddbear0000]

I don't have much advise for you since I'm not on dialysis yet. I can offer hugs only!  My only idea would be to meet with the neph and a dietitian together. Maybe if the dietitian can increase her protein, that would convince the neph to change her hours?

[BigSky]

Medicare typically only pays for 3 sessions per week.

Protein is lost during dialysis. 

Considering how filters on most things work it could be that more protein is lost in the first hours of dialysis and as the filter is used and fibers clot and pores clog that less protein is removed towards the end.  If that was the case an extra session would remove more protein than the extra hour of the 3x sessions.

[jessup]

I have no wisdom nor advice
However I am sending lots of love and wishes for Nanay
 

[Rerun]

Maybe they could give her something to relax her during the last hour.

I always get fidgety when I get close to my dry weight.  When I get fidgety I have them take my BP and sure enough it is starting to fall and they turn off my UF. 

Hope she feels better.

[cris]

Thank you so much, you are all wonderful! Just hearing from you eases up my burden.

love,
cris

[Dan.Larrabee]

I have a graft and had so many issues with my skin. While I was in the center and now that I am on home hemo, I use Coban or CoFlex. I would not allow them in the center to use tape. It caused most of my problems. It would cause my skin to dry up and it would tear when they took the tape off. I know that most centers will not supply Coban, but I found it cheep on the internet (about $1 a roll depending on the size)
Good luck to you!