Home PD and Sleeping Position

[curiousmind2019]

I finally finished PD training and started doing home PD this week, a day dwell and an overnight dwell.

How do you sleep with the solution in your tummy? Last night I was sleeping on my side (the side with the exit site), and all of sudden in middle of night there was a short but sharp pulsating pain around exit site. Then I switched to my back and it went away. But problem is, I can't sleep well on my back and if I sleep on side without my exit site, I get catheter pain.

Anyone with similar experience? Does this go away after sometime or I have to be careful with how I sleep?

[arcefam]

Hi curiousmind2019

I have been on PD for the last 2 months. The first night i slept with my head elevated face up. But after that first night i had to figure out how to sleep on my side since i am a side sleeper. So tried sleeping on my side the second night and yes i felt a little discomfort, since it is something new inserted in my abdomen. But one week in i would be flipping side ti side. i noticed that it helps not to have a heavy dinner or eat to late, like right before bed. So if start dialysis at 9 pm i stop eating or drinking around 6 pm. That alone helped me a lot.

[curiousmind2019 in reply to arcefam]

Hi arcefam,

Thanks for the advice. I do find that the night fill is more difficult than the day fill, as I do that after dinner. I will try to remember to eat early, dinner at 6pm and fill at 9pm sounds like a good idea.

[Jayhawker in reply to arcefam]

I’m still not on dialysis—I’ve been in renal failure since January 2017 but haven’t yet been put on dialysis. I know; kind of crazy.

You mention that you move around quite a lot at night. Have you experienced cycler alarms during the night with all this movement?

Jayhawker

[curiousmind2019 in reply to Jayhawker]

Hi Jayhawker,

I'm still on manual, no cycler yet. Trying to get used to do home PD. I guess with all the turning and moving around at night, I'm glad I'm not on cycler yet. Hopefully though, will get to that point when I'm more comfortable sleeping and can start training to be on cycler.

[arcefam in reply to Jayhawker]

Some nights the alarm does sound but I move and it stops. Very friendly machine. There’s time I hook up and go to sleep and I wake up and look and I’m in my last Dwell.

[Hidden in reply to arcefam]

What machine are you using? My cycler is quite unfriendly.

[arcefam]

Are you on Manuals or the machine?

[curiousmind2019 in reply to arcefam]

i'm still on manual at the moment. Dialysis clinic wants me to start with manual and get familiar with it before considering cycler.

[arcefam in reply to curiousmind2019]

ok, i started the same. Its great because now that gives you more options and freedom. Once you get the hang of it, you will be doing manuals when you have the time. And not necessarily at the same time everyday. Do what works for you, as long as you do it.

[PracBob]

I, too, have positional problems so you're not the only one. I sleep on my right side and fortunately have no problems with the exit site. But, I don't drain well and get awakened by the alarm at each drain cycle. Then, I have to sit up for the draining. At the end of the drain cycle, I sometimes feel a bit of pain at the bottom of my abdomen. However, out I get the least bit constipated, I drain very slowly or not at all and I get a lot of severe abdominal pain. So, I find it necessary to take stool softners daily and use a more powerful laxative if a problem occurs.

It's inconvenient, but I still like this better than hemodialysis. And with PD I feel much better and have fewer dietary restrictions.

Wishing you the best.

[Unityismine in reply to PracBob]

Thank you. I was learning PD, and just before they let me go home with it, I cancelled. I have had constipation problems for years, and also I like to sleep on my back. I didnt think I could be comfortable in bed with the system. Also I have anxiety and was feeling a LOT of stress over this new procedure. they didnt tell me I could do manual for awhile, then use the machine while in bed! Thank you for telling me what it is like to be constipated while on PD.

[PracBob in reply to Unityismine]

I can take care of the constipation most of the time by taking 3 stool softeners reach morning and occasionally using lactaloose laxative. I'm also finding ways to get more fiber mostly from fruit since the grain fiber ad too much phospherous.

[htpi1543 in reply to PracBob]

Hey PracBob, about a year ago or so you hired a dietician (JH). Did it work for you? Your reply will be highly appreciated . Thanks

[Ladybug_05]

Hello! I did home PD for roughly a year. Finding a decent sleeping position can be challenging at first, since your body is getting used to having this object inside of your body. It gets easier though! I slept on my right side, which is where my catheter's exit site was. What helped me, was keeping a pillow under my side to act as a cushion. It gave my side support and acted as a buffer for my exit site if I were to move in the night. I had catheter pain as well, and mine was from eating and drinking too much before bed/becoming bloated. I fixed it by not eating 2-3 hours before hooking up at night and making sure that if I drank water, it was only enough to help me take my medication at night. Having an empty bladder helped too! Your body will adjust over time, and depending on your treatment, your manuals can be done throughout the day and you sit empty at night. Also, if you don't already have one, getting a few PD belts can help keep your transfer set in place so you only need anchor tape at the exit site itself. Good luck!

[Runquik123]

Hello, I've just been reading all the comments about sleeping patterns with PD. I am not on dialysis yet and hope I can get a transplant before that happens (My son is in the process of being tested as a live doner). My eGFR is between 12 and 13. If I do start dialysis I would prefer PD and your comments have helped a great deal.