I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Introduction => Introduce Yourself => Topic started by: Ken Shelmerdine on October 30, 2006, 09:06:01 AM

Title: Just Started PD
Post by: Ken Shelmerdine on October 30, 2006, 09:06:01 AM
Hi
I started PD about 5 weeks ago. Diagnosed with PKD 18  years ago (then aged 40) when I went for a routine medical examination for an insurance policy. Protein showed up in my pee and subsequent clinical investigations lead to the diagnosis. This last summer my blood results finally hit the dialysis point and within 4 weeks I had the pd catheter fitted. Even though I knew that one day it would happen, I couldn't understand why, with only 8% kidney function I could feel so well with or without dialysis. I have had none of the expected symptoms, my blood pressure is only mildly elevated without bp medication and hasn't changed for the last 18 years, and I still have normal urine output. The only evidence is blood lab results which I guess cannot lie. Nevertheless it's quite difficult not to be in denial about it all. If I hadn't had that medical examination all those years ago I wouldn't know that there was anything wrong with me even now. Also there are no family members with the disease although I know it can arise as a new mutation. But I suppose I should be grateful that I feel so well.

I've got into a good routine with the Baxter homechoice cycler and with and 8 hour cycle with 3  2Ltr fills I can  continue working full time with out having to go to bed at a ridiculously early hour. I go for an adequacy test in 4 weeks and I'm hoping there's enough dialysis going on so that I don't have to increase the time on the cycler for the time being.
Wish me luck.
Title: Re: Just Started PD
Post by: Zach on October 30, 2006, 09:54:16 AM
Welcome to the site.  Looking forward to your posts!
 :beer1;
Title: Re: Just Started PD
Post by: Sluff on October 30, 2006, 12:36:34 PM
 :welcomesign;
Title: Re: Just Started PD
Post by: mallory on October 30, 2006, 01:40:23 PM
Welcome, Ken!  I'll be starting PD in a couple of weeks, I'm getting the PD catheter placed next week.  I know what you mean about feeling good, my kidney function is at 8% but I feel quite good.  The Nephrologist told me I won't continue to feel this good, but it makes it harder to face the reality of dialysis when you don't feel sick.

You'll find lots of good information here, glad to have you here!  :welcomesign;
Title: Re: Just Started PD
Post by: vandie on October 30, 2006, 04:38:32 PM
 :welcomesign;
You have come to the right place.  This is a fantastic group of people with lots of answers.

Title: Re: Just Started PD
Post by: Ohio Buckeye on October 30, 2006, 06:51:07 PM
Welcome to the site.
Glad you are feeling well.
I started PD back in April and am now on the Baxter cycler.
Best wishes to you.  Hope you find lots of helpful input here.
Title: Re: Just Started PD
Post by: Rerun on October 30, 2006, 06:55:41 PM
Ken, believe me you don't want to get so sick that you can't hold anything down and have no strength to even puke.   :thumbdown;

Glad you are feeling well.  Hope it continues.  Glad you found us.
Title: Re: Just Started PD
Post by: Bajanne on October 30, 2006, 07:02:08 PM
Welcome to our community!  And welcome to someone born before 1950 (the last of the good people, as a friend of mine believes).  This is a great place to be, as you are with people who understand exactly what you are going through.  Read the posts - there are loads of them, with lots of vital information. Somewhere down the line, you may need to vent, and this is just the place!  Looking forward to hearing some more from you.
Title: Re: Just Started PD
Post by: Sara on October 30, 2006, 07:25:56 PM
Welcome to the board.  I hope your PD goes smoothly for you for as long as you need it.   :)
Title: Re: Just Started PD
Post by: Joe Paul on October 31, 2006, 12:28:34 AM
Welcome Ken, good to have you aboard.
Title: Re: Just Started PD
Post by: angieskidney on October 31, 2006, 12:34:17 AM
it would be great if you took pics of a lot of the steps to show others ;)

Only reason I say that is I thought I would still be on PD and not have to switch to HD. I thought I had lots of time. I never did get to take the pics I wanted to take. :(

But I loved PD best ;) :2thumbsup;

I was on Baxter back in 1990 but this time I am doing it in my home town which went with Fresenius. I loved doing PD at night and being free all day!  :2thumbsup;

Good luck!
Title: Re: Just Started PD
Post by: Ken Shelmerdine on October 31, 2006, 08:04:53 AM
Thank you everyone for the nice warm welcome. Didn't anticipate such a quick response and from so many people. Its good to know there's people out there in the the same boat as me whom I can communicate with. As I dialysis 'novice' I've got loads of topics and questions I'd like to discuss but also I hope to contribute in any way I can despite my limited dialysis experience to any questions that I am able to answer. I've also got a few rants that I'd like to vent my spleen with but maybe not yet.
Once again thank you, it's good to be part of the group.
Title: Re: Just Started PD
Post by: Ken Shelmerdine on November 02, 2006, 06:17:16 AM
it would be great if you took pics of a lot of the steps to show others ;)

Only reason I say that is I thought I would still be on PD and not have to switch to HD. I thought I had lots of time. I never did get to take the pics I wanted to take. :(

But I loved PD best ;) :2thumbsup;

I was on Baxter back in 1990 but this time I am doing it in my home town which went with Fresenius. I loved doing PD at night and being free all day!  :2thumbsup;

Good luck!

Angie when you say steps do you mean a kind of demonstration of each stage of the set-up process? Do you just use the insert image button to place a picture?




EDITED:  Fixed quote tag - Goofynina/Moderator

Title: Re: Just Started PD
Post by: angieskidney on November 02, 2006, 06:00:51 PM
it would be great if you took pics of a lot of the steps to show others ;)

Only reason I say that is I thought I would still be on PD and not have to switch to HD. I thought I had lots of time. I never did get to take the pics I wanted to take. :(

But I loved PD best ;) :2thumbsup;

I was on Baxter back in 1990 but this time I am doing it in my home town which went with Fresenius. I loved doing PD at night and being free all day!  :2thumbsup;

Good luck!

Angie when you say steps do you mean a kind of demonstration of each stage of the set-up process? Do you just use the insert image button to place a picture?




EDITED:  Fixed quote tag - Goofynina/Moderator


Yes  :2thumbsup;
Title: Re: Just Started PD
Post by: Ken Shelmerdine on November 03, 2006, 03:19:20 AM
it would be great if you took pics of a lot of the steps to show others ;)

Only reason I say that is I thought I would still be on PD and not have to switch to HD. I thought I had lots of time. I never did get to take the pics I wanted to take. :(

But I loved PD best ;) :2thumbsup;

I was on Baxter back in 1990 but this time I am doing it in my home town which went with Fresenius. I loved doing PD at night and being free all day!  :2thumbsup;

Good luck!

Angie when you say steps do you mean a kind of demonstration of each stage of the set-up process? Do you just use the insert image button to place a picture?




EDITED:  Fixed quote tag - Goofynina/Moderator


Yes  :2thumbsup;
I'll get to it this weekend if poss
Title: Re: Just Started PD
Post by: jbeany on November 03, 2006, 02:36:11 PM
 :welcomesign;

and good luck with the tests!
Title: Re: Just Started PD
Post by: anja on November 04, 2006, 09:34:52 PM
      :welcomesign;   Welcome, Ken, glad you are feeling so well and hope your adequacy test 'measures up' !  :2thumbsup;  I started PD 17 months ago and am also on Baxter :thumbup;  but 9 hours a night-4 exchanges and day-time dwell.  Best of luck,  Anja
Title: Re: Just Started PD
Post by: gizmar on December 06, 2006, 09:40:49 PM
Keep feeling good and welcome
Title: Re: Just Started PD
Post by: jedimaster on December 08, 2006, 06:37:48 PM
 :welcomesign;
Title: Re: Just Started PD
Post by: sandman on December 08, 2006, 10:18:41 PM
 :welcomesign;
Title: Re: Just Started PD
Post by: angieskidney on December 09, 2006, 03:49:15 AM
it would be great if you took pics of a lot of the steps to show others ;)

Only reason I say that is I thought I would still be on PD and not have to switch to HD. I thought I had lots of time. I never did get to take the pics I wanted to take. :(

But I loved PD best ;) :2thumbsup;

I was on Baxter back in 1990 but this time I am doing it in my home town which went with Fresenius. I loved doing PD at night and being free all day!  :2thumbsup;

Good luck!

Angie when you say steps do you mean a kind of demonstration of each stage of the set-up process? Do you just use the insert image button to place a picture?




EDITED:  Fixed quote tag - Goofynina/Moderator


Yes  :2thumbsup;
I'll get to it this weekend if poss
Was it posted in another link and I missed it? I know that is possible so I was wondering :P
Title: Re: Just Started PD
Post by: Ken Shelmerdine on December 12, 2006, 05:51:02 AM
Sorry Angie I never got round to doing it, but I will when I get the time to do all the photographs that I'll need to do showing all the various steps.