How do you entertain yourself at dialysis?

[MooseMom]

I KNOW this question has been asked before, so my apologies. 

How do y'all occupy your time at dialysis? 

[okarol]

You might like to see this thread Bringing back Things to do While on Dialysis Thread http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=1320.0
 

[nycrtst85]

Think,Draw,paint.read,Pray

[MooseMom]

Okarol, thank you for that link, and while it was certainly entertaining, it didn't give me any realistic information.  I'm sorry that I'm a novice at this, but I'm just trying to think positively about the time I will have to spend being hooked up to a machine.  This is my darkest nightmare coming true, and I am trying really hard to get some ideas from those of you who have already been there, done that.

I know that all clinics are different; I am not sure to which one I will be going.  I wanted to go to the one I assume I will be going to, but they will not answer my questions until my insurance company has given them the OK.  So, I thought IHD might be helpful.

Do most clinics allow you to bring your laptop or portable DVD player and plug them in?  How easy is it to read a hardback book with only one useful arm?  Is it worth getting something like a Kindle?  Do any of you use those special earphones that block out noise...you know, the ones they advertise in Hemmlesermeisetlsr Schelemmmelehrsjrer catalogues?

Those of you who dialyze in clinic (that's probably how I will have to start)...do you pretty much keep yourself to yourself, or do you make it a point to engage with the techs and other patients?

[okarol]

My daughter's center did not have any wi-fi, but that may have changed over the last 3 years. There was no electrical outlets available besides what the dialysis machine was plugged into, so if she didn't charge up her dvd player fully she couldn't get through a whole movie. She usually slept with a pillow over her head. On occasion she would fold handfuls of origami cranes. They had individuals tv's with headphones.

[Rerun]

Every center has its rules.  Some say no cell phone because it might blowup the machine.  I don't know why they can't just say the truth.... they don't want you yapping on the phone.  Other centers say cell phones are just fine.

Some centers say "no food or drink" but people may choke by sneaking it. 

I watch my DVD movie and sleep.  I've looked into the new ebooks but I'll wait and see on that.  I still think it would be hard to hold with one hand.

Best of luck.

[galvo]

I read books one-handed without any problems.

[RichardMEL]

Like ReRun says - every place is different so you won't really know till you're allowed to go and see(or ask) - stupid insurance! (I said that in a Homer Simpson voice!).

In my unit I can plug my laptop in (there's usually lots of power outlets, but that's because my unit is in a former ICU area) and they are cool with phone use etc. I use normal headphones with my laptop (I don't see the need for noise cancelling, but others may vary on that). We get a snack and a cup of tea/coffee (but no wi-fi).

In terms of interacting with the nurses - yep, I am like that.. i bug them!!! No well we just chat when there's time or they're nearby and have a bit of a laugh when it's appropriate.

I don't read books because I tend to like those big thick fantasy books which are somewhat difficult to hold and read one handed.. I just use my laptop and watch recorded stuff.

I take a little jar of mints with me and nurses often come to snack so we chat then  (bribery always works !!!  )

Sessions are still really boring and I'd much rather be elsewhere!

[Lillupie]

if you have the money or your  cell phone carrier has a good deal, get a PDA like a blackberry and watch TV on it, I am on PD now, but when i was on hemo, i read, brought my lap top in , you can do crossword/word search puzzles in the chair....Too bad I am n ot on hemo now that i have a blackberry with Sprint TV and internet radio, with that said I am NOT  going to hemo

Make sure where you are going allows you to be relazed and eat and do things what you want. you are the one sitting in the chair!

Lisa

[Stacy Without An E]

I've found that the staff is pretty overprotective when it comes to plugging in devices.  Usually they don't like other devices plugged into the wall because they would usually share the outlet for the Dialysis machine.

I recommend spending a little more and purchasing a DVD player with a battery that will last five or six hours.  My sister bought me a 10" Phillips with a battery that juts out the back.  But its good, because its large enough to last two Dialysis treatments.

The best thing is to find an activity that helps you zone out and forget you're at treatment.  You will be surrounded by numerous patients that will be rude, selfish, disgusting, creepy, and just plain loud and obnoxious. 

Dialysis is stressful and agonizing enough without these Emmy award winners making it worse.

[MooseMom]

My laptop plays DVDs and can work on a battery, so I guess I can use that.  I looked at the dialysis center's website, and it says it has "internet access", but I'm not sure what that means specifically.

I am a real film buff and have a full Netflix queue, plus I always have loved reading, so I don't think I will necessarily lack for entertainment.  I'm just not sure how realistic it is to expect to be able to watch videos and read while on dialysis what with the noise and bouts of nausea, etc.  Do people generally feel well enough while being dialyzed to read, etc?  I guess I just keep picturing myself utterly enfeebled while hooked up...

[paul.karen]

Headphones?  Im sure it will all fall together once you get into a routine.

[MooseMom]

Yep, thought about headphones to block out all the beeps and gurgles, but is that safe?  Do I have to be alerted to alarms?  Or can I just zone out and let the staff handle the alarming stuff...?

[JennyGiggle]

I find it helpful to kinda make a cycle of activities to do so that its not the same things every treatment. I have a full day before a later treatment on mondays generally so im usually knackered and just sleep mondays. There is no interenet here but iv just subscribed to mobile internet - so i usually take my laptop and read ebooks or do some uni course work. I had to get all my electronic stuff checked by the hospital electritians before i could use anything. I get into tv series and watch episode after episode some days - my latest is 24and House MD lol. Some days I just cant be bothered concentrating on stuff so ill chat to those around me or il use my phone and text my friends (we are allowed phones but we aren't allowed long phone calls out of respect for other patients) and some days when I just can't be bothered doing anything (even taking) I listen to music.

Jenny

[cdwbrooklyn]

When I first got on dialysis, it was hard for me to sit still for four hours without wanting to get up.  Although the unit had TVs and played DVDs, I still found it hard to sit there.  I would get very restless and want to come off.

After six months, I started to adjust to sitting in the chair for 4 hours.  I would try to keep myself relax while watching TV.  Three years later when I was able to afford a laptop/portal dvd player and my time was reduce to three and half hours, I begin to accept sitting in the chair for three and half hours.

Nonetheless, I would bring about 4-5 dvds and watch dvds while I was on the machine.  Sometimes, I would fall to sleep.   I would usually watch two movies and then it’s time for me to come off.  Time went fast and before I knew it, I was called for a kidney after seven years (didn’t get it, another story).   

Anyhoo, time really went fast after watching dvds especially movies I enjoyed.  However, I’m still on dialysis and still continue to watch my dvds if nothing I want to watch is on TV. 

Also, you really don’t feel anything when you’re sitting on the machine.  Occasionally you may feel a little nausea and/or itching but not to the point you can’t enjoy your movie or book. 

Hope this helps!!! 

[MooseMom]

Oh yes, all of this really helps!  Thank you all so very much.  I'm always whingeing that I don't have time to read or watch my obscure foreign films from Netflix, so now I guess I don't have any excuse to complain.  I'll get 4 hours every other day...

[RightSide]

if you have the money or your  cell phone carrier has a good deal, get a PDA like a blackberry and watch TV on it, I am on PD now, but when i was on hemo, i read, brought my lap top in

At my center, using a laptop wouldn't be easy.  There's no table to rest it on; instead, I'll have the heavy warm thing sitting in my lap for three hours.

And since my left arm has the fistula and must remain still, I would have to type with my right hand only.

That's probably why no one seems to bring one with them to my dialysis center.  One-handed typing with a laptop sitting in your lap for three or four hours isn't that cool.

The new Apple iPad may be a better bet.
The battery life is more than adequate for a dialysis session.

[RichardMEL]

We have the tables on wheels - the sort that hospitals tend to have - and we have them to the side of our chairs so we can have a snack or whatever on them. I put my laptop there. I don't type though - that would be insane one handed(as I am used to touch typing with both hands). I just watch movies and the like on it. Keeps me entertained mostly.

[JennyGiggle]

We have the tables on wheels - the sort that hospitals tend to have - and we have them to the side of our chairs so we can have a snack or whatever on them. I put my laptop there. I don't type though - that would be insane one handed

I have re-trained myself to type with just the one hand (although i never could touch type so the re-training was easier) Its slow but i still get things done. There was an amputee at my school who used a tablet with handwriting recognition software - but thats probably expensive but another option for some maybe.

Using laptops isn't impossible and if writing is a hobby or if studies and work must be fitted in with dialysis this is not an impossibility. To keep up with my course there are many sessions (especially near deadlines) where i find myself typing with one hand - as I said slow but possible.

At my center, using a laptop wouldn't be easy.  There's no table to rest it on; instead, I'll have the heavy warm thing sitting in my lap for three hours.

maybe try investing in a laptop rest and/or a fold away table that you could bring with you. We have tables at my clinic but here is a good link for a lap top rest (you need to scroll down) http://www.gearlog.com/2006/09/12/index.php . And im sure if it got too heavy or warm the tech wouldn't mind lifting it off and storing it away for you.
I find my laptop (even when i didn't have internet) a godsend during appointments - i wouldn't want anyone who feels as attached to the cyber world as i do to miss their companion due to impracticalities.

Jenny

[RightSide]

A few years ago, my dialysis center experimented with a device that's a combination dialysis chai and exercise bike.  You could dialyze while pedaling away on the exercise machine at the same time.

http://bigdandme.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/img_0023.jpg

It didn't prove very popular.

[P8tience]

Ok I went and looked at that thing! lol  Tooooo funny got to make a copy and print it fer my hubby lol

[MooseMom]

See, now I would LOVE to be able to exercise while dialyzing.  Why wasn't it popular?  Did no one choose to ever use it?  I've heard that if you can exercise a bit while dialyzing, it increases your blood flow and actually results in better dialysis.  But I guess that makes too much sense...

[pdpatty]

Watch tv or sleep. Today is Monday,Law and Order reruns on USANetwork

[monrein]

We had a cycling contraption that pushed up against the chair but it was at a weird angle in relation to the chair.  I tried it once but found it better to go to the gym.

I used to do crossword puzzles, read, watch TV, movies, talk on the phone, play scrabble with friends who'd come in to do that, and when I was on home D, many years ago, we used to have a couple of people in for dinner occasionally while I was doing my 5 hours.  I tried to think of it as "time for myself" which wasn't always easy but the chance to do some uninterrupted reading was a treat.

I also ate my lunch very very slowly on the machine, usually the exact same food and amount, but I didn't have dropping BP so that's something to be careful about.  The unit served tea or coffee and sometimes a treat.

[Bub]

A few years ago, my dialysis center experimented with a device that's a combination dialysis chai and exercise bike.  You could dialyze while pedaling away on the exercise machine at the same time.

http://bigdandme.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/img_0023.jpg

It didn't prove very popular.

I am glad you posted that.  I told that story to staff at my center and they as much called me a liar.  At least I am vindicated in my own mind at least.