I have tried PLEX several ways. 1 per week, 1 every other week, three at a time. The most effective for me is 5 days straight. The length I keep the cath depends on the frequency of treatments. Weekly or every other week means I keep the cath. 5 days straight means it is temporary.

5 days straight about every three months seems the most effective for me.
--Kerry

I have only had 17 rounds of PLEX but learned a lot. First, it was marvelously effective. Second, it does a number on your veins! When I'd have a series, say 3 rounds in two weeks, by the third round, they were really hunting for a usable vein, especially if they had previously blow a couple out during the first two. For this reason, I would always recommend finding some alternative that is semi-permanent. So hard was it one time that the nurse stuck me 10-12 times in one arm before hitting a vein. That is NO fun.

Curt

I have gotten PLEX on a regular basis for the last 7 years. I have an AV fistula. I started out with a cath untill the fistula was ready to use. My veins are small and hard to find. If you are going to have PLEX on a regular basis for a long period of time I don't think a cath will work. It is for temporary use. I couldn't get mine wet (shower, swimming ect.) also there is a greater risk for infection.
Hope this helped.
Gail

I just started PLEX , and the thought of being stuck in the arm with every time made me ill, and I am not scared of needles. I got dual ports put in Feb. bard perm port that is completly under the skin. so far so good... I started out 1st week 3 days, then 2 days the next 2 weeks then 1x last week and now every 2 weeks. the ports so far are great... and plex so far has been good for me.

Thank you guys for the info!! Yes - it seems my veins are becoming increasingly difficult to find. I think they are hiding on purpose :)
Gail - any problems like infection with the fistula? How long does it take to mature!!

I am very thankful for all the info and for all of you!!
Nicole

Nicole, No problems with the fistula getting infected. I don't remember for sure how long it took to mature, but I'm thinking 2-3 weeks. What happened was the first two fistulas the vascular surgeon created did not take. The third one finally worked, so I had the cath in way longer than normal. I had to wait the 2-3 weeks for each fistula before the cath was removed. You will have to be stuck with 2 needles each time you have a treatment, but depending on how experienced your aphersis nurse is, it should not be too much of a problem.

Good Luck,
Gail

I am one of the lucky ones as far as veins go. 13 months of exchanges every 7-9 days and now spacing further (if my symptoms don't become worse with the coming heat)
I now schedule with one particular nurse who knows my veins.

I also squeeze on a piece of foam at home or curl a really light weight as much as I can (I lay my arm on a table while doing so) to keep my veins on the surface and big and plump. My draw is in the bend of my arm and the return is in my forearm, about 2 or 3 inches above my wrist (so glad I have an arm that I can bend to scratch my nose!) I also drink a ton of water to hydrate really well before treatment.

For some reason here at UTSW apheresis clinic, they dont like the fistulas. I have no idea as to why.

Good luck,
Sherry