WELCOME

Although you may dialyze at home you don't have to be isolated. NxStageUsers is a patient organization who supports and advocates for home dialysis. Although the main focus is currently for those on the NxStage home hemodialysis modalities, it is open to all patients, caregivers and those just interested about receiving more information about dialysis in general. NxStageUsers is more than a discussion group; it is proactive in its support and advocacy for the home dialysis patient community. The group is dedicated to being a true "family" where all people are treated equally and with the utmost respect and provides a comfortable setting for sharing our mutual interests as we travel the same road of home hemodialysis. Our members are both dialysis veterans and newcomers. Why not join a group where you have the freedom to say what you want and learn from others doing the same treatment. Why not share what you have learned so others can benefit? Together we can make each other's life more fulfilling. And you won't have to feel like you're all alone!

For those contemplating NxStage and home dialysis, we’re here to help.  We’re located in three locations —each serving a different purpose.

• Public Discussion Forum open to all to discuss different issues regarding dialysis organized in neat folders.
• Yahoo Groups Listserv where actual users and care partners get down and dirty about supporting each other.  Posts come fast and furious by email and almost instantaneously as people seek help from each other.
• Facebook Group where informational posts and events are usually located.

Wherever you go you’ll find a selfless and supportive group of individuals who are willing to answer questions for those considering the NxStage and other Home Hemodialysis (HHD) modalities.. 

Members Only ListServ on Yahoo Groups Public Discussion Forum Members Blog

Alternative Therapies - Options for Improving Dialysis Care

Improving quality and outcomes with alternative dialysis modalities S.Kaufman
What we learn from studies on more frequent dialysis B.Miller
Challenges and oportunities in modality options education A.Campbel l-B.Witten
What nephrologists should tell their patients about renal replacement options R.Lockridge
Why patient participation in modality choice is important B.Schiller
New Medicare payment rules encourage home dialysis, but how to get patients started M.Neumann

Home Dialyzors Show What's Possible
Nephrologiy News & Issue - Dec 2011
by Mark E Neuman

Dialysis? Yeah, we do that.
But those who take care of their kidney disease at home do so much more. Ask the NxStageUsers, a national support group that held their second annual meet up and conference in New Orleans in October
View Entire Article

75% of Patients Beginning In-center Hemodialysis are Unaware of Home Dialysis

(NEW YORK, NY)—November 28, 2011 — While 382,000 patients in the U.S. receive dialysis treatment for kidney failure, only 35,000 dialyze at home. A special report in the December issue of the American Journal of Kidney Diseases, the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation, suggests that as a result of systematic barriers, patients are not always receiving the option of home dialysis.
View Complete Article on NKF Website

---

From the 2011 ASN Kidney Week

Fresenius Medical Care introduces 2008K@home™ hemodialysis delivery system in North America
View Press Release

New FREEDOM Data Adds to Compelling Evidence in Support of More Frequent Home Hemodialysis with NxStage System One
View Freedom Data

YouTube video of 2008K Set Up
View Fresenius 2008K Cycler Set Up

---

Comments to CMS Regarding Health Exchange and the Qualified Health Plan
View Heath Exchange & Qualified Health Plan Comments

Comments Submitted to Joint Select Committee on
Deficit Reduction
View Comments to Join Select Committee

NxStageUsers Comments Submitted to CMS

NxStageUsers is a relatively young organization. Since its inception in 2007, we have become the largest dialyzor-based, home hemodialysis organization in the nation, supporting and advocating rehabilitative dialysis for all. We appreciate CMS’s willingness to listen to patients like us
View Comments to CMS

NxStageUsers Announces New Buddy System

NxStageUsers is happy to announce the startup of its new Buddy System.  As we know, the dialysis journey is challenging as we live longer with kidney failure.  Although doing home dialysis gives one a more optimal therapy and the possibilities for a more healthy and productive life, that doesn’t mean everything always goes smoothly.  Studies have shown it has had a great effect on lowering depression, that doesn’t mean bouts don’t rise on occasion.  Doing more frequent dialysis can also challenge people with episodes of burn out, both for the dialyzor and care partner.  Sometimes the best thing to have is a sympathetic ear to talk to, someone who lives and breathes the same issues is even better.   

With this in mind and our motto of Don’t Dialyze Alone, we are starting our Buddy System.  We will match you up with someone similar to you.  If you’re a dialyzor, you’ll get one or two others just like you.  The same goes if you’re a care partner.  Please fill out the form in the menu selection for Get a Buddy;  all questions must be answered.  You’ll  be contacted by our Buddy Coordinator who will put you in contact with others in your group.  Once per month you’ll be required to fill out an easy questionnaire in which we’ll collect data on an anonymous basis.  With this data we’ll analyze what issues crop up and how they are resolved.  Hopefully we’ll be able to help many more based on how people deal with these daily issues we probably all have from time to time.
Connect With a Buddy

Medicare Bundling Final Rules Released -
CMS-1418-F