Can I ever go swimming again??

[Summerhill123]

Hi- new to PD dialysis,...was told that I can no longer go swimming-

Have you discovered any way around that??

Must I invent a giant ziploc to keep my exit site dry??

Please share your insights! Thank you!!

[Hidden]

Hi,

I'm not currently on dialysis, however in planning for perhaps someday having to make that decision I've done a lot of research. I'm attaching a link to a great site called Home Dialysis Central. This particular newsletter is one that answers your question directly. I believe it's the last question before the conclusion. If you don't already subscribe to this, I'd recommend you sign up.

Best of Luck.

homedialysis.org/life-at-ho...

[Summerhill123 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Mr Kidney!

[Darlenia]

Hi! I'm a caregiver to my husband who, just like you, recently went on Peritoneal Dialysis. He was told, as the link states, that he can swim in salt water, but he can not go into lake water. The doctor added that this includes bathing in our home bathtub as both lakes and tubs of any sort can collect, harbor, and grow bacteria. Thankfully, my husband enjoys showers. I hope your transition to PD went smoothly! And that life is going well.

[Summerhill123 in reply to Darlenia]

thx for your kind words. best of luck to your husband as well~

[Melirm]

Hi, I was told by my PD nursing team that there are Dressings available that enable you to go swimming. They are not commonly prescribed, but are available. I’m not sure if your in the UK or USA, but I believe that here in the UK you can get them prescribed on the NHS. I would advise you speak with your PD team for further advice. They can give your more details. Good luck xx

[Darlenia in reply to Melirm]

That's very interesting! We're in the US. When we get around to swimming, we'll definitely check this out. I hope they're available here!

[Hidden in reply to Darlenia]

In answering your question they (HDC) included the name of the dressing, Tegaderm. There are even videos on how to apply them on YouTube. Even with that dressing, you should speak to the nursing staff at your center for the okay. You don't want to incur an infection.

[Darlenia in reply to Hidden]

Yes. Tegaderm is a well-known dressing which is available over-the-counter; we have it at our house. It's not great in keeping out moisture. So we would not use that at all for swimming purposes, it's iffy even when showering. Melim mentions a prescription product (in Europe)...which is very intriguing for us if it does a better job.

[Hidden in reply to Darlenia]

It was what was recommended by the folks at Home Dialysis Central in the question/answer part of the newsletter I sent to her with the attached link. The more important part of the answer was that she check with the nursing staff for final approval. If you have something that works for you and may work for her, please share it so that she has another option to bring to the staff to get their approval.

[Darlenia in reply to Hidden]

Yes, her nephrologist should be consulted. I will definitely let people if we find a true moisture-proof bandage. Europe may be ahead of the US in this regard.

[Summerhill123]

I would love to know the name of this waterproof bandage- Tegaderm is not so good at keeping out the water.?... bummer. Thanks everyone!

[horsie63]

I know this is late but I just started really researching stuff. This is my #1 question for my neph at my Sept 30 appt - if I'm very small *4'9" and 92 lbs) would a chest catheter be better than the stomach one? Can anyone tell me of their experiences with the chest one? Does it work with the cycler or must I do in center HD?

[Darlenia in reply to horsie63]

Chest caths (CV line) tap into a blood vessel leading directly to your heart. They're often used for emergency hemodialysis (HD) to quickly clean toxins via the blood. Chest caths are usually replaced by a fistulas or graft in an arm etc. since chest caths can lead to deadly infections close to, or involving, the heart. Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) cleans toxins using the peritoneum - not blood vessels. A cath for those is usually placed in the lower abdomen. So, there are two types of dialysis: HD which uses blood and often involves fistulas and grafts away from the heart and PD which uses the peritoneum and generally involves a cath in the lower abdomen. HD and PD also use different machines. HD can be done in-center and at home (HHD) whereas PD is designed to be done at home either as manuals or with a cycler. Different dialysis centers may offer only one form of dialysis or they may offer several so the choice of center matters. My hubby has experienced both HD as well as PD. You may want to ask your neurologist to tour the center he is affiliated with as well as to chat with the dietician there.

[Hidden]

I was on PD for 9 months. I have a pool at my house and my PD team told me not to go in public pools but that I could probably go in mine because they knew me and how OCD I am about things. What that means is that I keep my pool clean and chlorinated to the max so not much threat of any foreign germs. It might also depend if your exit spot is leaking. That could be an indication that the seal around the tube is not 100%.

[2sday]

I was on PD for years. I could not swim in a pool but could swim in salt water. I covered the catheter entry wit a Tagederm. After swimming, shower and change your dresssing immediately.