By Bill Peckham
I noted in my PPS comment to CMS the level of distrust that I heard as I read them in mass. Reading them one after another, as they were posted started making me feel cynical. However, there is another narrative in those nearly 1,200 comments, another story. A story of hope.
Here are excerpts from 23 comments submitted by those using frequent home hemodialysis (these comments were mostly submitted through regulations.gov, which limited text box submissions to 2,000 characters (not even 15 twitter messages). The process also stripped away paragraph formatting. I, for the sake of readability, added paragraph breaks to the messages and let my spell check correct some obvious typos. You can read these and all comments in their posted form here or download a continuously updated Excel file). The stories excepted below offer a glimpse of a brighter dialysis future. A future that can be achieved today, without waiting for a scientific breakthrough or the FDA approval process.
Read these and hear what they are saying. Taken together these comments offer as strong an endorsement of more frequent dialysis as I've ever seen. Story, after story of being cured of the symptoms of too little dialysis. All of the symptoms that people mistakenly attribute to dialysis, are reported cured. And not one of these commentators talk of urea.
Read through these personal testimonies, and then look around a dialysis unit. Should those people, those individuals really be there? People with CKD5 don't have to feel that sick - there is an alternative to conventional incenter dialysis.
CA Dialyzor
Dear Sir/madam, I am a 42 year old home hemo patient of 5 years, I work 9 hours every day and exercise regularly.
I am also extremely grateful to be able to dialyse 6 times per week for 6 hours every night as a result I have no pressing need for a transplant, and climbed Mt Witney in August.
I used to have in center dialysis 3x per week and was not able to work a full day or keep myself fit. I feel that others may not be able to enjoy a productive life if sufficient encouragement to move patients home is not created by the new payment system. ...
GA Dialysis Mom
Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts on the Proposed ESRD Rule. While I am a healthcare professional, I never thought I would have an interest in dialysis- but that changed when my daughter developed kidney failure.
She was transplanted at age 11, but the new kidney did not last. After that, she tried peritoneal dialysis, but had many infections. Incenter dialysis was the only other option we were given, and it did keep her alive- but it put our whole family in survival mode. I had to quit working to take her to all her treatments and be here when she slept afterwards. We thought that was the only way. But, in 2007 I heard about home hemodialysis. This therapy has given us back our daughter and given our family back a life. ...
CA Care Partner
My husband returned to dialysis in 2006 when his kidney transplant failed. While dialysis was much improved since his experiences 1990-91, the most marked improvement was what we experienced when we began home hemodialysis in 2007.
His general health and quality of life increased enormously. It was more than worth the effort, even considering the fact that home hemo includes a lot of work for the patient and caregiver, particularly when compared to clinic hemodialysis. ...
CA Dialyzor
I am a kidney dialysis patient for almost 20 years & a home dialysis patient for the last 3 years. As a result of home dialysis I am off many of the medicines I had to take when going in center for treatment because doing dialysis at home is almost like having my kidneys function again. ...
MN Dialyzor
I am a 22 year old home dialysis patient, and "going home" when I do treatments has changed my life dramatically, in only the best ways. I want to first thank everyone for still supporting this treatment option, because it has been in integral piece to my continued health and life satisfaction. I was diagnosed when I was 7 with MPGN type two, and have been on some form of dialysis since 1997.
I remember the days when I had to go into a center to do dialysis, and having to do my treatments on their schedule and how it fit into their day, actually worked against my ultimate goal of living as "normal" a life as possible. When I learned that I would be starting to do it at home, both me and my family were very excited. We had some amazing nurses who trained us, and who were there for us in a one on one fashion to learn how to be independent, and because the training is one of the most important pieces to the puzzle, I think that making it "part of the package" would only be detrimental to the program. I want all of those people out there that are just as scared and nervous as I was when I began to have the same experience that I did with amazing trainers who will help them feel comfortable enough to take it home, and live an amazing fulfilled life just as I am!
UT Dialyzor
I have been on NxStage home hemodialysis for 3 1/2 years. My health has improved remarkably. I live 90 miles from a dialysis center and I made that trip 3 times a week for one year and the trip itself almost killed me. I did it or 4 years in Montana and had to drive nearly the same distance. Home Hemo gives us the patient freedom and better health.
My health is remarkable as if have been fighting ESRD for 22 years. Had I not been enabled to do NxStage home hemo I would have certainly met my demise by this juncture. In center is good but home hemo is so much better. The care one gets from their loved one as the service provider is unfounded anywhere. The peace and saftey from infection is also reflected in my health with home hemo. I just cannot say enough that Home Hemo has saved my life! If I had to go back to in center and drive 180 miles 3 times a week I would soon be dead in body and spirit.
Home hemo renews one's spirit and the ability to stay at home and not make that awful trip cannot be traded for anything. If you were to take a photo of me now and 4 years ago before I started NxStage home hemo you would not know it was the same person. My health has been renewed. ...
OH Dialyzor
i have been on dialysis since 2002. in 2006, i started going downhill. my wife drove me to dialysis and got a wheel chair to take me into dialysis. we found out about nextstage on the internet and looked into it. we began training in January of 2007. after just a week of the training i felt good enough to drive and my wife and i stopped for lunch for the first time in over 2 years. NxStage dialysis has given me and my wife a much fuller life.
UT Care Partner
To whom it may concern, My husband Brad has Alport's Syndrome which is ESRD, he was diagnosed when he was only 34. We have 4 children and have spent the last 9 years learning how to best deal with this disease. It was life altering as you can imagine.
First I would like to say without Medicare we would have less than we have now. It has enabled our family to continue moving forward. We heard of the changes that will be taking place and want to make sure our voices are heard. Brad has been a Home hemodialysis patient for the last 7 years, 2 which have been on the NX stage Nocturnal program, meaning he dialyzes at night for 8 hours.
This has enabled Brad to hold down a full time job, go off of his high blood pressure meds, and forgo Aranesp shots because his body is functioning on a more normal level. ...
KS Dialyzor
To Whom It May Concern' As a current home dialysis patient and a past in-center patient I want to thank you for the availability of home dialysis. The difference in how I feel on HD as opposed to in-center is remarkable.
My high blood pressure which was at the stroke levels previous to HD is now completely under control allowing me to take less medications. The frequency of dialysis has also helped me to feel better, sleep better and eat better resulting in an overall improvement of my health.
My lab values particularly phosphorus and potassium have lowered significantly. I can only assume this is due to the frequent dialysis treatments I receive which HD. My only concern is with the possible bundling of treatment which would eliminate training sessions for some units. I ask you to think carefully about the change in this rule as it may keep others from reaping the many healthful benefits from this type of dialysis.
NE Dialyzor
I have done all forms of dialysis: PD and hemo. Over 8 years of surviving this way at 42 years old. I struggled along for a very long time until it was suggested that I try home hemo and overcoming the fear of poking myself I tried.
I have since avoided being in the hospital every year around July for quiet some time. I feel better and can function at a higher degree due to my fluid being removed more often. I walk and ride my bike and love it. I don't just survive, but I live!!!! Trust me living and enjoying life is huge when you have kidney failure. The windows of how often you feel good is small and even smaller when you are required to go to in clinic dialysis.
There is great freedom given when you allow me to stay home and hook up and not go by the clinics clock, but mine. I get to attend meetings and family fatherings and church functions because I choose when I do dialysis. I love this freedom. Please do not take this from me. I can travel and visit friends and not have to worry about setting up chair times so far in advance. I am an active person and am so pleased to have better health and am able to participate with gatherings and groups where as before I was very limited. ...
CA Dialyzor
I am a home dialysis patient. Home dialysis has made my life bearable. The more frequent and gentle treatments have done wonders.
Before with dialysis in the Dialysis Center four times a week, I had a tremor that made it difficult to even use a computer and I had small seizures several times a minute. These symptoms of subtle uremic poisoning did not go away with regular in center dialysis but did with daily home dialysis. Please support daily home dialysis. ...
WI Care Partner
CMS, THANK YOU FOR PAST SUPPORT. BECAUSE OF HOME DIALYSIS I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TREAT MY HUSBAND AND STILL WORK MYSELF.OUR DR. ENCOURAGED US AND THE NURSES TRAINED ME( I'M NOT A NURSE) AND ARE AVAILABLE 24/7. HIS HEALTH HAS IMPROVED BECAUSE OF DIALYSIS 6 NIGHTS A WEEK. HIS CARDIOLOGIST SAYS HIS HEART IS EVEN STRONGER. SOME MEDICATION DOSES HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED OR LESSENED. THERE IS NO FEAR OF CATCHING FLU OR COLDS FROM OTHERS BECAUSE WE ARE HOME IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL HE IS 82 AND SAFE AT HOME. ...
CA Dialyzor
I live in a remote area near Willits and about 30 to 40 miles from a HD treatment center. With out HHD I would not be able to live where I do for many reasons.
When I was in a Treatment Center with treatment 3 times/week I never really felt good (It was like a light bulb being on but not giving off as much light as it was designed to). I got sick more often and not able to do anything else that day due to travel, treatment time, and fatigue.
I have been doing HHD 6 days/wk for the past 5 years. For the past year + I have been doing NOCTURNAL which frees up my days. I love it, I FEEL GREAT! My check ups and blood workups are always very good. So, thank you CMS for supporting HHD treatment. ...
AR Dialyzor
I would like to thank CMS for the continued support of home hemodialysis. I completed my training in June 2009 and have been utilizing HHD since that time.
I am 40 years old, married, and have two (2) young children. My wife went through the training with me and is my care giver. Being able to perform my dialysis on my schedule has allowed me much greater flexibility and time with my family. I utilized in-center hemodialysis for approximately six (6) months prior to HHD training and I feel much better on HHD.
HHD also allows me to travel - we have taken two (2) trips where I simply take my machine with me. This has been incredibly important for my job as a work 40+ hours/ week. ...
KS Dialyzor
Dear CMS, I am a home Hemo Dialysis patient. I am on the NxStage system. I have been on dialysis since 10/08 and started home dialysis in 6/09. I must say the initial training for this services was quite extensive, lasting over two weeks but it was very worthwhile and highly effective.
Being on home dialysis has allowed me to return to work full time, 8 hrs a day, 5 days a week. I also have been able to resume normal activities on my 22 acre farm. ...
MA Dialyzor
I have been a HHD paitent for the past 3 years and I feel that anyone who can do it at home should do it .
It gives you more freedom and helps keep your life as close to normal as possible. ...
FL Care Partner
A year ago my husband and I were barely familiar with Dialysis nor did we even consider the ramifications of kidney failure. The funding of the programs via Medicare and terms e.g. bundling, composite rates, etc. were furthest from our minds. However, fast forwarding to the present, we have learned in the last eight months that without dialysis my husband would cease to exist.
While our medical bills were piling up we were introduced to a home hemodialysis program that provides him with life saving dialysis at home with me as his caretaker. Do you have any idea how valuable it was to have an excellent training nurse instructing us for home hemodialysis? I am close to 70 yrs. old with no medical background and with our excellent training from a dedicated dialysis nurse we were able to start his dialysis in our home.
We have been able to keep my husband out of the hospital and gave him back the gift of living. The difference in his health is amazing, he has reduced his blood pressure meds and the daily home hemodialysis training is priceless. ...
NC Family/Care Partner
I am writing to share my concerns about your proposed changes to the way dialysis is covered and paid.
...
2. Home Hemodialysis training- thank you for being aware of home hemodialysis. It is the real thing and has totally changed our lives. Seriously, my brother was in a wheelchair and slept most of the time when he was treated in the unit. He was in the hospital regularly.
Since going home on hemodialysis, he has not been in the hospital a single time! He even volunteers at the hospital now!!! It has been life changing for our whole family. I have returned to teaching, after having stopped to care for my brother when he was in the unit. ...
TX Dialyzor
I am on hemodialysis in a home administered plan. Because of the individualized training my wife and I received we are able to successfully perform my dialysis in the comfort and privacy of my own home.
I went to the center for treatment for two months. During that time I was washed out every other day after in center dialysis. At home, I have dialysis 6 days a week and feel wonderful the minute I'm finished. I can travel any time and at almost a moment's notice. I've taken 3 to 4 week vacations across the country to visit family members that can no longer travel, and I went with my whole family on a cruise. I would not have been able to do that without the home hemodialysis.
Because we were well trained on an individual basis, we feel comfortable and capable of performing the treatment no matter where we are. Because we can set our own schedule, we are able to participate in community, church, and family events. We do not feel like we are missing out on life.
I had my yearly evaluation last week and it was wonderful. My health is good and I'm living my life to the fullest. I pick up my grandson every day after school and recently got a new granddaughter. As quickly as children grow I could not have had this time to spend with my children, grandchildren and siblings.
Spouse of above Dialyzor
My husband is on home hemodialysis. I am not a medical professional and when I first heard about home hemodialysis I thought it would be impossible for us to do that. I received individual training and because of that I was able to learn what I needed to be comfortable enough to perform hemodialysis in my home.
My husband went to in center dialysis for a couple of months. During that time he was terribly depressed. He would drive himself to the center but was unable to drive home (It was a 40 minute drive and we were at the center approximately 5 to 6 hours). I was unable to work during that time because I had to drive him home from the clinic. When he finished his treatment he was barely able to walk to the car.
He had no appetite and was losing weight. His blood counts were going down because of his lack of appetite. Now when he finishes his treatment (6 days a week instead of 3) he has plenty of energy. He can get dressed and be ready for anything. We vacation, spend time with family and friends, and participate in church activities.
My husband also belongs to the local Exchange Club and the Lions Club. He was not able to do that when he went to the in center dialysis unit. Please don't change anything. This has allowed my husband to live a fuller life and to feel so much better than he did in center.
MA Dialyzor
Response for Proposed Medicare Bundling Rule Thank you CMS for making all options available I agree per treatment payment is best way to support frequent hemodialysis.
Since being on frequent home hemodialysis I have noticed a tremendous change in how I feel physically and emotionally. Physically I have more energy, my diet is more liberal and I have more time to enjoy life. My life has changed significantly since starting on frequent home hemodialysis, instead of dialysis being my whole life it know is a part of my life.
I ask that you not punish clinics that offer more frequent hemodialysis but make it more available and financially acceptable. Since being on frequent home hemodialysis I have noticed decreased illness which brings down any potential hospital stays that I might have had. Since being on frequent home hemodialysis I have decreased my B/P meds significantly. ...
AK Dialyzor
To whom it may concern, Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to comment. My name is Stan and I have been on dialysis since May 2009.
I was initially on in-center for the first 3 months and have been on home hemo since. I lead a very active lifestyle with my children. I also continue to work full time. I really appreciate the rules allowing for home hemodialysis and short daily treatments.
...
I hope it will be possible to make modifications to ensure that every dialysis patients is able to receive the optimum treatment, and not just the minimum required to keep them alive. It is important to many of us to remain healthy enough to continue to be a contributing member of society
VA Dialyzor
Making all dialysis options available in the bundle rule certainly makes sense. I am very appreciative of the many different types of dialysis that is offered in this setting.
Seven years ago, my kidneys began to fail & my doctor advised dialysis. One of the options was home dialysis. Choosing this, I signed up for the class. However, before I could start the training, I suffered a heart attack & congestive heart failure. My dialysis then became an urgent necessity & I began dialysis in the hospital setting.
After my release from the hospital, I continued my dialysis treatments at the center, 3 days/week, and 4 hours/day. I did not feel very well after treatments; I itched, was cold, had cramping all the time & felt very weak. I have an IJ catheter. In the center they would run 500 speed to get a good clearance, but my machine's alarm would constantly go off. The motor speed was reduced, resulting in the poisons not taken off, as they should be.
I was 81 when I started dialysis & my wife (helper) was 74. Although skeptical of home training, we completed the training & all went well. I have been on home dialysis for 7 years and feel great. I am able to cut 4 acres of grass, visit with family, tend a garden, can vegetables and keep up with and order supplies. I eat what I want & my lab results are normally great.
I dialyze 5 nights/week, 8 hrs/night. Because each person is different, I believe CMS's per treatment plan options are best suited for everyone. Dialyzing this slow, long way is much better for my catheter & my well being.
I am now retired, but I know w/ home dialysis, my quality of life is much improved. This is reflected in my activities, my diet & my lack of hospitalizations.
I feel better all around & have been taken off blood pressure medication. I have only been hospitalized once in 7 yrs. for anything other than catheter problems.
These selected comments are in addition to the long home dialyzor submissions via Word or PDF document.
There are over 90 times as many people on conventional incenter dialysis as are on frequent home hemo, yet I can think of very few who, by any stretch, wrote to endorse their care. Only those at home, dialyzing more frequently, were moved to do so. They know the truth, their stories tell of a better way.
Bill thanks for the detailed account. What has been most discouraging for me is that there were so many patients and/or family members who knew nothing of the PPS. Many providers did not educate patients as to the changes that would potentially affect them, or even refer them to the internet information (CMS, Federal Register, etc). This, for me, is sad. I spoke with many who had no idea this was happening. In fact, I even offered to go around to other units in our county (our provider)and give patients information. My request was apparently directed to corporate ---with no response.............
Posted by: roberta mikles | January 15, 2010 at 07:58 PM