Just a quick update on daily dialysis. I am doing daily for this week only on the Peterborough unit to test blood results on a Fresenius 4008 prior to starting using the NxStage next month. I am doing 6 days at 3 hours on the Fresenius where I will be doing 6 days at 3 hours 40 on the NxStage. Despite doing the few extra minutes on the NxStage I am hoping to see at least the same benefits as I am getting this week. I don’t feel any different, but in fairness I have never really felt any ill effects on dialysis anyway. I need to be more careful now on site selection for needling. I do not use the buttonhole method – never have, so I need to ensure that after 20 years of having this fistula I do not weaken it by the increased usage daily dialysis will risk. I am fortunate that I can start to use new sites on my arm, and if necessary, at these, I could start to use the buttonhole technique. We’ll see how things progress but I check my fistula closely every time I use it, so I will see any side effects quickly.
When I start training on the NxStage I will blog daily on the experience, the training, the blood results and more. There is certainly a lot of interest in the machine as I have been contacted by many who would like to get one themselves – but this will be down to your local Renal group and their buying policies.
