PD Dialysis.

[aowens]

Hi,

I just got my PD cath placed on this past Friday. I am bloated and uncomfortable. I haven’t started my PD training yet. I understand bloating is involved with PD, but is it going to be constant? I have had so many weight changes and I was JUST getting adjusted to my smaller weight. I plan on going to a couple of concerts/festivals this summer and I really don’t want to be waddling like I’m 5 months pregnant.

[Philipjm]

Hi, I started CAPD 3 years ago and wired well for me, felt much better within two weeks of starting.

It is a strange feeling having fluid permanently inside you!!!

For. Me it was 2litres with 4 exchanges each day, did one exchange at work.

Went on holiday without problems.

I did find that I went up 50mm around my waste, small price to pay for better health.

You will need to ensure you go to the loo regularly and I am sure be prescribed laxatives to ensure you are “ regular”

I had to stop pd as I damaged my catheter and contracted an infection (peritonitis) which kept on recurring, tried a second catheters but the infection came back.

It was my fault that I damaged my catheter so be careful.

I am now on nocturnal home HD which works even better but there are more restrictions as I do this every other evening.

Going anywhere away from home for more than 3 days has to be planned to arrange dialysis but in my case my machine is transportable so I am able to organise holidays without to much difficulty.

I am currently arranging our holiday to Australia in July this year.

Dialysis in any form is huge and apart from your renal team is not really understood by the outside community.

Persevere and you will become more relaxed and find that life with dialysis can be “normal “ whatever that is!!!

Dialysis is hard at first but this chronic disease can be managed and is so much better than the alternive!!!

Best wishes on yiur journey.

Philip

[aowens in reply to Philipjm]

Thank you! I’ll be doing it overnight so maybe it’ll be different for me without the exchanges. Enjoy your holiday!

[Unityismine in reply to Philipjm]

Thank you Philipjm. I am starting PD soon, after 4 months on Hemo. Really looking forward to it and you answered somethings I have been wondering about, like the first few weeks on PD and feeling so bloated and saying to self...why am I doing this?! I sounds to me that it is what I want, and learning all that I can about it stills my fears. Also I would like to travel, good to know they mean it when they say I can travel with PD.

[cgih]

Hi, are you doing PD overnight or daytime exchanges? I did overnight and was able to live a pretty much normal life with no bloating once things settled down. Good luck!

[aowens in reply to cgih]

I’m doing overnight. Thanks, that’s good to know

[Melirm]

Hi, when I first had my catheter placed my tummy was quite swollen and I felt bloated. But once the catheter settled it was fine. Don’t worry! When you start your PD again it might bloat a little I found it did, but once you get used to it, it all settles again. Try not to worry, it’s just your body adjusting, like learning any new skill it just takes some time. Enjoy your festivals!! x

[aowens in reply to Melirm]

Thank you!