Travelling to the US from India - need dialysis tips!

[kamalshah20]

Hi all,

I am currently on daily nocturnal home hemodialysis. I leave in 4 days for a holiday to the US and Canada. I will be dialysing in-center mostly day time four hour slots but a few nocturnal slots thrown in.

Any tips for being better prepared for dialysis sessions in-center? Will they let me do my own cannulation? Will they have buttonhole needles? Can we dictate the treatment parameters like blood pump speed, UF volume etc.? Or do we pretty much have to go with center policies?

Any other things I should be careful about?

Thanks!

Kamal

[Bill Peckham]

When I've traveled and gone incenter, I've found that by putting in my own needles I am allowed to have a lot of input on my treatment parameters. Hopefully this will be your experience too. Looking forward to seeing you Kamal.

[Traveller1947]

Hi, Kamal!  You've done so much careful preparation for your trip.  The only thing left to do is relax and enjoy it.  All the best to you, as always.

[kamalshah20]

Thanks Bill and Traveller1947!

Any tips on managing diet while eating out? Specifically, on Potassium? I am vegetarian so Phosphorus is not a problem. But Potassium is one thing I am a little worried about. When you're at home, it is easy - leach the vegetables etc. But you obviously can't get restaurants to leach vegetables!

Thanks!