Peritoneal Dialysis or Haemo?

[Viviola]

Currently being "worked up" for living donor transplant from my brother but need to make a decision on dialysis as a back up. Am thinking of PD rather than Haemo. Can anyone tell me whether there is any discomfort when "carrying" the fluid in your peritoneum. Not sure how much fluid goes in but do you feel fat and bloated?

[weesprout]

you start with a small amount and buld up, i didnt notice any discomfort but you do have a bloated belly, things have changed a lot since i was on it, i think there is a p.d now thats done through the night, leaving u free through the day, the pd i was on was were u did 4 bag changes through the day

[tfc5]

Hi

I have not done dialysis for over 4 years but I did CAPD and APD. I chose PD as I wanted to remain in work and not have such a restricted diet. You have the PD catheter fitted and once healed and you have had the training it is fairly easy to do , you can do it just about anywhere with an electric socket , a clean surface and somewhere to hang the bag up. Plus it only takes about 30 mins so can be done before work/ in a lunch hour etc.

Yes initially you do feel bloated as you are not used to carrying the fluid around and the regime may need tweaking but you do get used to it and it becomes second nature. I went onto APD after a set period of time. Much better still for me as I had all day everyday free and only had to dialyse at night whilst I was sleeping. yes it means I had to be in bed by a set time each day in order to get in the full amount of hours overnight but it worked for me. Took a bit of getting used to sleeping without laying on the tubes and with the machine humming in the background though . good luck with your choice

[ladybird194]

Hi,

I am on CAPD and have been for 3 years. The reason I chose this method is that it is sooo flexible. The times you dialyse are not regimented like there are on Haemo, if you are an hour late in doing a bag exchange, fine, or you can do an exchange early if you need to be somewhere. (as long as the fluid is in your tummy for a minimum of 3 hours).

At home, the bags of fluid are heated on a bag heater (all supplied by your local unit), these cost pennies to run. If I need to go out, I warm a bag on the heater and then when warm, wrap it in a towel with a hot water bottle, this keeps the bag warm for a few hours.

All your bags and everything else you need is delivered direct to your house and stored where you want it (the driver does this), but be warned, it takes a lot of space, luckily my garage is attached to my house and its all in there.

The amount of fluid you carry in your tummy is a personal thing, I started on 1500 mls and worked up to 1750 mls, I find carrying the full 2000ml very uncomfortable, but you may be ok.

My local dialysis unit is very supportive, I hope yours is too

Best of Luck!!

[Viviola in reply to ladybird194]

Thanks to Ladybird, GaynorPatt00, tfc5 and weesprout for your advise and info. Hoping that the need for dialysis doesn't arise but at least I have more info to take on board if I need to make the decision.

[GaynorPatt00]

Hi

I also did CAPD and APD as I was in my mid 20s and wanted to have less restrictions, I found sometimes I did feel bloated but I think more oftern or not this was due to Diabetes complications. It only used to take to 30 mins to dialyse I worked full time and I travelled the world - as I work in travel I dialyses on Muscle Beack in Los Angeles and on Paradise Beach in the Bahamas it didnt restrict me at all . Their is the risk of infection where the canula comes out of your stomach but as long as you keep it clean you will be fine.

I think alot depends on your weekly schedule I have a friend you has been on Haemo for 30 years and he is a post man so can fit his 3 weekly slots in round his shifts. He suffers with aches and pains related to Haemo.

I think that both have the pros and cons its which best suits your needs ie work, lifestyle (social life) and emotions.

Hope dialysis works well for you.

[VGCarer]

PD - Haemo leaves you looking like a butchers block on your arms - PD is simpler and easier and you are able to control when where and how....

[Hidden]

You might want to try this Davita 'Treatment Evaluator' davita.com/treatmentevaluator/

PD has a higher risk of infection, but is in theory a far more flexible treatment.

PD never worked for me, and I'm doing far better on home heamodialysis.

And my arm does not look like a butchers block

[justagirl]

I know a lot of people will say PD and I've never actually tried it but I find haemo is actually more flexible than you expect, it is comforting knowing there are people there to look after you, the nurses are incredibly friendly and I like that I only have to think about it when I'm at the hospital. Also, my arm doesn't look like a butchers block either! I'm sure there is a reason PD is so popular but personally I like haemo I hope you make the right decision for you! x