can you swim when on dialysis?

[Imaanforever]

After my catheter insertion, I was told I can’t swim in a pool due to risk of infection. I haven’t been in a pool for over a year and I really miss it. I’m going on holiday with my family this summer where there’s going to be a lovely pool and I was thinking of different ways I can swim safely, if possible. I thought putting a clearpore dressing in my exit site and the wrapping my tummy with cling film, it’s just something I’m imagining and don’t think I have the guts to do it.

Has anyone swam in the pool since their surgery?

if yes, how did you do it safely?

if not then 😭 I really miss swimming

I’m not a strong enough swimmer to swim in the sea so I can only do pools and hot tubs.

Anyone has any info will be helpful. If it turns out that I can’t swim, I guess I’ll just have to live with it.

[Bassetmommer]

One of the considerations I took in deciding which form of dialysis I wanted was swimming. So I did a lot of research on both. You can swim with PD but it is limited to pools. And you have to cover it. I have attached a link. I choose for a couple of reasons home hemodialysis because where I swim is in a current channel and there is a very strong current we work out against. This would not have worked with PD.

"Swimming is recommended in either sea water or private swimming pools. The PD catheter and exit site should be covered with either a clear waterproof dressing or colostomy bag. Routine exit-site care should be performed after swimming. Infections were rarely reported in those who swim."

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/315....

[Imaanforever in reply to Bassetmommer]

Bassetmommer thanks for this. I will have a read and put it in consideration.

Have you ever swam in a public pool since you started PD?

[Bassetmommer in reply to Imaanforever]

please read what I wrote, I am not on any dialysis but will be doing home hemodialysis.

[Beachgirl32]

yes I miss going to pool and water park and such . I was told if it a public pool stay away . If it a friend pool and you know it clean really good make sure you cover your pd catheter and when you get out you need to change to put in clean bandage right away . And I as told yes to the beach no to lakes . I’m really Leary to get in a pool maybe I can just dangle my feet in it this summer. They say no to hot tub too but my brother had his on hot tub got in it every day when he was on pd dialysis he was told he had to cleanest exit site. But he clean his hot tub every day . Be careful cause you don’t want to get an infection.

[bumblebee_tuna]

I think the best option for PD is the beach or salt water pools.

[Frankie24]

Check with your pd nurse. I was allowed to swim in pools and the ocean just no fresh water

[Hidden]

I was told I could swim in the sea and in a chlorinated pool, but no rivers, lakes, or bubble baths in the tub!🏊‍♀️💦