Peritoneal Dialysis Advice, please!

[JDR59]

Hi, writing for my father (59) who is worried about starting dyalisis vs. waiting for a kidney transplant. He is holding out for as long as he can before starting dialysis, in hopes that a kidney will come along. He is extremely tired and can barely stay awake most days. He takes a medication called epoetin which helps raise your red blood cell count and gives him a little more energy (a temporary fix at best). He is worried that he'll start dialysis (he would go with peritoneal dialysis) and he'll still be tired and it will all be in vain. He lives alone (in a different state then I) so he would have to learn the process on his own. Can someone who's been on peritoneal dialysis give me some feedback? Did you feel better? Were you still tired? Anything helps. Thank you!

[JDR59]

I should add that he is Stage 4 CKD

[Cat59]

I am 57 and on PD for 8 months and I feel great it took me awhile to heal after surgery, but that because I am a small frame person, I can do almost anything. You just have to remember not to over do it for the first couple of months. I went back to work as a special ed para at school full time,no problem. Before I started PD I could barely work 4 hours a day. Now I work 8- 3 and still have energy to keep going until 9:00 at night. PD is very easy to use once you get into a routine. I don't even feel like there is something in my body until it's time to connect at night for theropy. I am glad I started when my GFR was 10 because I can go during the day "dry" no solution in me only at night. Your dad should do this, it's worth it. Good luck. Happy Pd patient,Cindy

[TamekaS NKF Peer Mentor NKF Ambassador]

Yes keep the area u will be doing treatment in extremely clean. Keep hands clean when connecting and disconnecting. Keep hands clean when clean ur site. If u drop a connecting piece that hits the floor before connecting to become or yourself, throw it away and start over. Make sure u have enough room for supplies. And make sure no pets in the area u are doing treatment in. It does make u feel better cause he gets longer treatments and better dialysis. Just be very careful. Follow things in order not to get an infection. All will be well.

[gmasheryl]

I've been on Peritoneal dialysis (PD) for a year. I'm 69 and am feeling SO much better since I started PD. Rarely take a nap and don't sleep 12 to 14 hrs a day anymore! I have my life back; not back to where I was before ESRD, but much better than a year ago. I would encourage him to try it. He will have to learn the process with his machine, but after a while it becomes routine. I hope he has a good dialysis nurse & team - it makes ALL the difference in the world. Wish him well.

[mhawk123]

I was afraid to start PD at night but I started back in Jan. It is a lot of information and the treatment may make you tired at first but ultimately you will get used to everything. The fatigue is different for everyone. You will get the Procrit or aranasep every two weeks till your hemocrit and hemoglobulin is better. Once you start, you will be doing four exchanges three days a week then it will be one exchange at night three nights a week. Everything is a process. If his GFR is low ( mines was 14), you really should consider the dialysis as your kidney is in last stage. I pray all will work out for him. He needs support from family and friends as you will have tube in stomache which is very unattractive. Get the belt to hide the tube....

[TheOther_MrsRobinson]

your dad should DEFINITELY start PD now !!! My husband was on PD when he first started dialysis. If your dad lives alone, then PD would be better than home hemo. Even though its 7days a week 365, he can do it while he sleeps. The area where he does his treatment should be kept as sterile as a doctors office, meaning constantly keeping the area clean, no mildew, NO PETS IN TREATMENT AREA especially. My husband was living in a mold infested basement with a cat and dog running around. And the basement kept flooding. So he got Peritonitis VERY severely, and was forced to start hemo in center. each form of dialysis has its perks and inconveniences. With PD, the perk I that you can do it on your own, dialyze more often so you feel MUCH better physically, and you can do things during the day. The downside is that its everyday. So, the good significantly outweighs the bad. Please tell your dad that dialysis DOESNT mean that he cant still wait for that transplant. He could get better while he's waiting !!!!