Starting Cycler and Scared about the Drain Step

[curiousmind2019]

I'm moving from manual to cycler next week. I'm using Baxter. At a glance, it looks like that initial drain would hurt! As now, on manual I can control the drain pinch. What happens when on machine? Does it hurt?

[3Kidneys]

Occasionally I get drain pain, but when that happens I close off my catheter and then stand, this allows all fluid to move to bottom, then I open my catheter again and let it finish. If by chance it’s still causing pain, I again close my catheter and stop the machine and skip it, cause I’m dry. ( I don’t carry fluid during the day as some do, so I’m totally dry when I come off). Please note you should really talk with your PD nurse about this, they can teach you. It’s not hard to learn. And it doesn’t happen a lot.

[Ladybug_05]

You can definitely have drain pain! With the initial drain, you can control it by closing off your catheter either some or completely. Making sure that you're sitting completely upright can help. When I used the machine, I would have to get up and wiggle side to side to shake fluid loose. The pain will lessen as you become used to the process. personally, I had initial drain pain and last drain pain as well. Breathing exercises and sitting as still as possible while sitting up got me through it. Good luck!

[curiousmind2019 in reply to Ladybug_05]

How do u sleep then? If u have to sit up for the drain.

[Ladybug_05 in reply to curiousmind2019]

If you have drain pain during any of the drains in between your cycles, your PD nurse can set it up to where only a certain percentage is drained and a small amount is left over to prevent drain pain. I had an 8 hour treatment so my last drain pain just prompted me to wake up in the morning and get ready to unhook. I also kept a small amount of PD fluid in my abdomen during the day to prevent cramping from the catheter.

You shouldn't have to sit up during every drain. If you need to do this, then your treatment needs to be tweaked. Ensuring that you are sitting up for the very first and last drain can help prevent drain pain.