How to Use the NxStage System One 

Hi have you made the transition yet to home hemodialysis?

Join the home dialysis central FB page...saran wrap some Lidocaine cream on your fistula for two hours before cannulation and you'll hardly feel it ❤

Yeah, they left out a lot of steps. My wife's fistula is in her right arm. I can't imagine her sticking herself with her left hand, especially with her cataracts. I guess that guy sitting there did the sticking. It's not fun for either of us. I stick my wife and sometimes it's messy and difficult. The hardest psrt for us is picking off the tiny scabs before sticking. You have to avoid pushing scaps into the established access holes (called button holes). Scabs are difficult and painful to remove. This video makes it look a lot easier than it is. It's not impossible, but if you're in your 70s, like we are, I would recommend a strong, dedicated partner to help every day. Solo for old people seems too difficult, in my opinion. I know my wife can't do it. She can't even remember when to take her blood pressure. 😮 Someone needs to post a COMPLETE video, start to finish, including all the tiny steps. I'm not trying to scare anyone off, but just inform yourself before you commit. My wife signed us up, basically without considering me, but I'll keep doing it, because that's the way I am.

@@mikewhite8301 My home team prefers to teach the rope ladder technique as opposed to button hole. I use sharp needles, and have no scabs to pick off. By now, you’re probably a pro at this.

I have a AV graft, and I use the nx Stage cycler. Some people with catheters use it.

This is not as hard as people think. I encourage all dialysis patients to consider doing home dialysis, it helped me reclaim my independence.

My husband and I just finished our training and its wonderful!

@Jim Spencer thank you! We are doing well and it's easier now than a month ago. I actually work at a Davita Dialysis clinic, which is how I met my husband. So I work 3 days a week dialyzing patients at the clinic and dialyze my husband 3 days a week at home. Lol But it's a labor of love and not at all like work.

@Jim Spencer great! Im glad to hear that! My husband gad improved so much in center since we got married in April that they reduced his in center time. So at home we do 2.5 hrs a day 3 days a week. He makes tons of urine so I think that helps.

@Jim Spencer and to you sir! i was married 25 years to a horrible man, raised my kids and left. That was 10 years ago. Finally have the love of my life! Doubt we will live 40 more years but it doesnt matter. We are happy!