Dialysis experience

[aldeberen]

I need to make a decision about the type of dialysis treatment I should get for my chronic kidney disease. I would appreciate learning the experiences of patients who are having in-center hemodialysis and those having at-home nocturnal peritoneal dialysis. What are the advantages and what are the problems experienced? Any recommendations?

[Hidden]

Howdy…Disclaimer, I was not on PD long enough to really dislike it. In the five weeks I was on PD it wasn’t that bad. Within two weeks my BUN was fairly normal and I felt much better.

When I had my catheter placed, we were still unsure if I was going to have the living donor transplant. Nonetheless, my BUN was crazy high and I felt like crap. So we needed to do something. I really didn’t want the temporary cath placed in chest due to risk of infection. So I went with PD.

Some things to consider:

1. A rather permanent abdominal catheter. Of course, you need to be very clean when using it to “hook up.” but, there is a risk of infection in hemo and PD

2. Machine has a rather loud alarm when it needs attention (e.g. crimped line). In my case, it was 1x a night.

3. Does interfere with a good night sleep. Good news, when you disconnect in morning you can sleep, generally, without any problems.

4. Setup isn’t much of a problem — maybe 25 minutes on both ends. Also, you can setup hours earlier — so it’s ready for bedtime.

I know dialysis isn’t ideal. As my wife says, it is life saving technology. I am just over 1 year post transplant, and sometimes forget I even had a kidney transplant — that’s how good I feel.

Best wishes,

Christopher

[Kalyn]

I was on PD for about a year and a half. I thought it was a lot easier than the in-center hemodialysis. The set up is quick and easy. You don’t feel much discomfort when hooked up. The only annoying thing is the fact that the machine does alarm you when something is wrong.It didn’t happen often for me. If you have the choice, I would definitely recommend going the PD route. Good luck with everything!

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

I highly recommend a book called Help, I Need Dialysis! Available at MEI Institute and Amazon under $10 Also check out mydialysischoice.org/

[RhenDutchess123]

I have been on PD for 8 months...and I am responding very well to it.....I do the automated cycler at night while I sleep, and I love it. You have to use extra caution in keeping your catheter site clean and use good hygiene when setting up your cycler and disconnecting when finished. The Clinic will spend a few weeks (or until you understand the process) teaching you the proper techniques for safe treatments. Every once in awhile I get an alert that wakes me up and its usually a need to change your position as your pt line sometimes gets kinked, but other than that I sleep great.

One drawback is that the Dialysis Solution and supplies take a good bit of space, so you will need a designated space..I have a small dining room that we rarely used, so my Husband built cabinetry to hold all the "stuff", and it pretty much stays out of sight.

I knew I did not want to go to Center for Dialysis, so this System works great for me. I felt better right away and the small amount of time it takes to set up and manage my own dialysis is rewarded ten fold. Once I un- hook in the morning , the rest of the day belongs to me, I forget many times that I am even on dialysis.

We go on 2 to 3 day travel by car every now and then, and taking along my cycler and supplies has been very easy.

Keep us posted on which Dialysis Treatment you and your Nephologist decide is best for you...

Cycler Nightime Peritoneal Dialysis has a thumbs up from me