At a Dialysis Crossroads

[MP11]

I have to decide whether to get a fistula in my arm and go with hemodialysis, or go with peritoneal dialysis.

I spent a couple of hours in a center talking to a couple of nurses about peritoneal dialysis and it sounds like a bad choice given its near constant presence in your life. With hemodialysis I currently go three times a week for 3.5 hours each and I am done with it. Sure with peritoneal dialysis I would be doing it at home, but it sounds like much more of a marriage as it is many more hours each day.

I would love to hear from anyone about their experiences.

[RhenDutchess123]

I do Peritoneal Dialysis at home...and I am so happy with my choice...I use a Cycler and do my Dialysis at night while I sleep..I do an 8 hour treatment every night ...it is very gentle and it keeps my blood twice as clean as needed.. feel so much better and I only see my Clinic once a month to take my Labs and see my Nephrologist...It does take alot of boxes and supplies but it Fits nicely into my life

[MP11 in reply to RhenDutchess123]

Thanks for the reply Rhen. When you say it keeps it twice as clean as needed, is that different than the results from other dialysis? Haven't heard of that.

[RhenDutchess123 in reply to MP11]

I have only done PD...so not sure how they record the data on other treatments...but doing dislysis every day is so much better for your body than just 3 times a week for4 hours..My fluids and toxins are removed every day..

The catheter is just a small tube going into your belly...so no needles or vein damage

[Kbristow]

One of the reasons I chose PD was because it was done everyday - much more like how fully healthy kidneys would function. Because it's done more often, the excess fluids and toxins aren't building up as much in between treatments. It's a gentler, more constant therapy. I often would hear about in center dialysis patients feeling completely wiped out after a treatment. I never had that experience. I also liked having my days freed up to do rather than have to go to a center three times a week. I also didn't like needles. And I liked having more control of my treatment and being more engaged in my own health. But I understand why other patients want to see and be connected to other patients and staff at a clinic, or want a professional to take care of all the treatment.

Here's a really good talk recently discussion home dialysis and why one might consider it. youtu.be/dVsTTubSTFs(Not working as expected?)

[OperationKidney]

I did peritoneal dialysis and it was great. It's much easier on the body because you're getting more regular dialysis and you can do it while you sleep so it actually allows you more time during the day.

[Hidden]

Hello MP. When I was in your shoes, I discovered a website called My Dialysis Choice and found it to be very helpful. Ultimately, I chose peritoneal dialysis and am using a cycler machine, as someone else here has also mentioned. I love not having to go out for treatment. Home treatment does require a lot of supplies, and therefore a large closet or a corner of a spare room, but the benefits of not being tied to someone else's schedule far outweigh any inconvenience from my standpoint. Best of luck with your research!☺️

[LeesKees_NJ]

Hi MP11, I am doing solo home hemodialysis. I am learning to do my hemodialysis alone, when it fits into my schedule, in the convenience of my own home. I still work so this is the best choice for me. I have polycystic kidney so PD was not an option, I have no room for the fluid needed to work. If you want to know more or have questions let me know.

[Yojimboken]

I have been doing hemodialysis at home for about six months now. I have decided to switch to PD as soon as possible. I do HD at home four days a week, and if it were only the treatment time it would be tolerable, but there's also the maintenance time, the time spent doing inventory and tracking supply delivery (which almost never goes right) and a dozen other time sucks. I should also mention that I don't have an option for in-center treatment as there are no available beds within reasonable driving distance.

I can do PD at night, with little Intrusion through the day (I know not every patient can just do it at night), and with a lot less stress - though it does have to be every day. Anyway, I have not experienced PD yet, but I can say from experience HD has more downsides than are obvious from the outside.