Hello and hope it will be a happy new year for all! I'm 75 years old, been diagnosed with CKD almost 20 years ago and currently in renal failure with GFR at 11 recently. I've been told by my doctors that dialysis is in my near future. Getting a transplant or going on dialysis is really scary and I feel like I'll only be around a few more years. In addition, I have Parkinson's disease and some other chronic illnesses. For those on PD, can you please share your experiences, the good, the bad and the ugly? My nephrologist says it helps you have more energy during the day. I have zero energy now, but if PD causes problems or pain, I'll be really upset. All these health issues are very hard to manage. I do have good support, a loving and helpful partner, and good family and friends so I'm grateful. Your help and wisdom on this is appreciated ahead of time!
New to this group, ISO info about PD - Kidney Disease
New to this group, ISO info about PD
Welcome to the community! So sorry to hear that you're facing dialysis - we are here to offer support and encouragement for the journey ahead. When my husband was facing that situation, we thought our life was over just like you. But the opposite was true - dialysis was a lifesaver. He felt better over all - his digestive system settled down, he slept better, his color returned, and more. My husband was placed on emergency hemodialysis (HD) to bring down his blood pressure. Then, a few weeks later, he switched to peritoneal dialysis (PD). He later received a transplant a year later at age 71. The decision to go with PD was made on the advice of his nephrologist and his transplant center. Since PD doesn't access blood vessels, it lowers the chance for arteriolosclerosis, a problem for diabetics, which improves the opportunity to get a transplant. My husband (who is sitting here with me) appreciated PD. It requires a catheter which is usually placed and concealed in the lower abdomen. No needles involved at all - which is a huge benefit. One can do PD manually during the day or use a cycler overnight - my husband was trained to do both at his center. (He preferred using a cycler to do dialysis while he slept.) His PD nurse scheduled a home visit to deliver the cycler and go through the steps there. PD involves having a lot of supplies on the premises, we stored most everything in our garage. Some store supplies in a spare room, closets, under beds, etc. Over time, the amount of supplies needed dwindled as his "prescriptions" were fine tuned. My husband was extremely careful to practice great hygiene - keeping his catheter area clean and protected and keeping his work area sanitized. He did well with all of that - not contracting any infections. Since my husband used a cycler, he occasionally got alarms which required "fixing" - the newer PD cyclers are good at letting you know what to do but there is also a nurse line and and a call center you can contact. I quickly discovered my husband was a fast learner - so I stepped aside and he did everything himself. In your case, you mention you have Parkinson's. My husband feels that, if your tremors are slight, that you can do everything yourself. If not, someone can do that for you too. Hopefully, your nephrologist has "privileges" at a dialysis center that offers PD, not all dialysis centers offer all forms of dialysis. If his center does offer PD, ask to visit that clinic and meet the staff. (Maybe even ask the PD nurse there for her recommendation for the "best" surgeon to place your cath. Some are better at that than others. She has dealt with the outcomes.) In the meantime, there are a lot of online sites that explain how PD works - I enjoyed watching "real" people on YouTube demonstrating how they worked with it - "The Peritoneal Dialysis Process at Home with Willie" is one that I enjoyed. I hope this clarifies a few things for you. If not, just let us know. We'll happily give you our thoughts and experiences!
Thank you Darlenia! That's a great description and very positive also. I guess I just don't like the idea of a tube sticking out of my belly, and having to store all those supplies, creating more plastic waste for our planet....ugh....plus the threat of infection. But it's good to know that it's an option to keep on living
I'm so sorry that another thing is getting added to your list of health concerns. I had a FANTASTIC experience on PD. I did it 4 times a day. Took about a half hour each time. I was on PD when I was a camp counselor for troubled kids for 2 weeks in Saugatuck, MI; I went on at least 3 vacations while on PD. I picked up and jumped in my mom and dad's van with them and drove around on a moment's notice... I switched over from hemodialysis which my 17+ year-old body did NOT handle well. I slept and went to dialysis. I couldn't stand for more than 30 seconds at a time. A PD nurse noticed all the problems I was having and she introduced me to what PD really was. It was really night and day. A transplant is best, but if you're a candidate for and need dialysis, I couldn't recommend PD MORE. Good luck to you!
Thank you for sharing such a positive outcome! When you say you traveled with it, was that with a portable bag?
Yes, I would hang a bag of the peritoneal fluid from an IV pole that I was given, but I also hung it from a clothing hook in a car, from a hanger hanging over a railing... If I wasn't traveling for long, I could take all the supplies with me. I live in the Chicago area and went to visit my sister in California and Baxter sent all my bags of fluid and supplies right to her office. Really easy for us to have had done.
To be clear, there is also tubing that attaches to an empty bag to drain the peritoneal fluid out every time. So you always have some fluid in your peritoneal cavity, collecting toxins. Then you drain it out and refill each session.
Hi Kidney Patients!
New to the community!
Dialysis 
Beginning Peritoneal Dialysis
The time has come....
