I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: Home Dialysis => Topic started by: MsMia on January 30, 2013, 10:53:49 AM

Title: Drain bag? or jug?
Post by: MsMia on January 30, 2013, 10:53:49 AM
My PD unit gave me a drain jug for my machine, but it seems everyone else has drain bags? Has anyone used both and know the pros and cons? The jug is a pain sometimes. How do you empty the bags? The same as the manual ones? Last time I was on PD I used a drain line that emptied right into my shower. Just wondering whats best.  :thx;
Title: Re: Drain bag? or jug?
Post by: jeannea on January 30, 2013, 11:14:27 AM
I don't know about the jug. I always had the drain bags. They were heavy but I could drag them. Then I would put them in the tub and slit them open. If the jug doesn't have a lid I would just spill it.
Title: Re: Drain bag? or jug?
Post by: amanda100wilson on January 30, 2013, 12:34:48 PM
I always drained straight into toilet.  amy reason why she wants you to use this?  you could just ask for a drain ine extension to drain i to tub or toilet.  personally, I hated the bags.
Title: Re: Drain bag? or jug?
Post by: Willis on January 30, 2013, 12:36:06 PM
Except when having to collect the fluid for adequacy tests I've always drained into a jug. (Actually it's a 15L red gas can I got at the auto supply store.) Just the way my bedroom is laid out I'd have to use a drain extension to reach the bathroom and then worry about my wife tripping over the line in the dark. So I just went with the jug. It does get heavy though, so that may not be an option for everyone. Also, don't ever get in a hurry and forget to drain it first thing. I learned the hard way--twice--that 20+ liters of fluid won't fit in a 15L jug. What a mess! :P

 
Title: Re: Drain bag? or jug?
Post by: drgirlfriend on January 30, 2013, 01:24:08 PM
Never had a jug and only use a bag for testing, like Willis said. We run an extension line to the bathroom. Sometimes I do catch my foot on it, but there haven't been any falls. So far. If we had to use a jug or bag, I'd getone of those plant stands with wheels to put it on. I wouldn't want to lug that thing around.
Title: Re: Drain bag? or jug?
Post by: Joe on January 30, 2013, 02:59:26 PM
I use the drain bag. I just drag it into the bathroom and put it in the tub, open the sample tube and let it drain out.
Title: Re: Drain bag? or jug?
Post by: amanda100wilson on January 30, 2013, 03:09:06 PM
if you don't empty it straightaway, it stinks pretty quickly.
Title: Re: Drain bag? or jug?
Post by: justme15 on January 30, 2013, 03:49:09 PM
when I first did  PD 11 years ago I had a drain bag.  This time around I have a jug, but I use an extension to my toilet.  I tried the jug, but it's so much easier to just drain it to the  toilet.  that jug gets heavy and like what Amanda was saying, you have to clean the jug out regularly too, because it begins to smell.  so, I vote for extension to the toilet.  Wake up in the morning and flush, and that's it!
Title: Re: Drain bag? or jug?
Post by: MsMia on January 30, 2013, 04:44:54 PM
When my nurse came out to my house she said my bed was too far from my toilet or shower to use a drain line (or even an extension) because I have a closet and dressing room in between them. The jug is SO heavy in the morning (good thing I have 3 tall teenagers) and yes the smell is horrible to me  :embarrassed:  so I clean it with a tiny amount of bleach every day (i have a septic system and bleach is bad for it) My husband always says "Well if I kept a bucket of pee next to my bed all night it wouldn't smell good by morning either" lol The jug doesn't bother me too bad, but I was wondering how long the extension lines are that everyone uses. I will measure my distance tonight and see if it might be worth a try.
Title: Re: Drain bag? or jug?
Post by: drgirlfriend on January 30, 2013, 05:06:13 PM
The boyfriend uses two 20' extensions to get to the master bathroom. You can attach as many as you want together. Who is your provider? We have Fresenius. You'll find that different companies have different items. You will also find that some nurses are more knowledgeable than others!  :urcrazy;
Title: Re: Drain bag? or jug?
Post by: MsMia on January 30, 2013, 05:29:08 PM
I have Baxter. Anyone know what is common for them? My shipment came yesterday abut maybe I can try to order the lines next time?
Title: Re: Drain bag? or jug?
Post by: justme15 on January 30, 2013, 05:48:08 PM
I have Baxter too, and my extension lines are 12 ft. I use two to get to my toilet.
Title: Re: Drain bag? or jug?
Post by: JLM on January 31, 2013, 08:17:07 AM
My bathroom is within the 20 foot drain, no extensions needed. I have a 20 foot patient line also.  My machine is in my living room, with that I can go into the bathroom, my computer room, bedroom and kitchen.  I drain into the toilet,; I was draining into the bath tub, but after 6 - 8 weeks it seemed the tub drain was running slower.  I filled the tub with HOT water and it corrected the slow drain.   I now drain into the toilet.  I put the clamp on the bowl  behind the back spacer button of the seat and position the drain line to point down and then put the line over the tissue holder.  That seems to keep the line from turning.  With the clamp where it is, it does not squish the line when I am sitting.  I work the drain line a tad to make sure the line moved freely.
Title: Re: Drain bag? or jug?
Post by: tito on January 31, 2013, 08:31:33 AM
I use 15 liter drain bags supplied by Baxter. I recently went on a new prescription, with approximately 17 liters of drainage per night. They gave me what are called manifolds to attach two drain bags. The manifold did not work, and all the drainage ended up going into one bag. It was then that I discovered that a 15 liter bag will actually hold much more.

I just drain it into the sink in the morning using the valve. They offered me the alternative of a drain line to the bathroom, but I was afraid the dogs would get it! This is safer and easier, albeit very heavy to move. I just throw the bag away when it is empty. No fuss, no smell, no cleaning. My PD clinic also had suggested a gas can, but there is really no need.

Also, the yellow color is somehow reassuring. I know it is taking out toxins. And I can see if there is any fibrin, necessitating heparin in the bags.
Title: Re: Drain bag? or jug?
Post by: drgirlfriend on January 31, 2013, 08:34:15 AM
My bathroom is within the 20 foot drain, no extensions needed. I have a 20 foot patient line also.  My machine is in my living room, with that I can go into the bathroom, my computer room, bedroom and kitchen.  I drain into the toilet,; I was draining into the bath tub, but after 6 - 8 weeks it seemed the tub drain was running slower.  I filled the tub with HOT water and it corrected the slow drain.   I now drain into the toilet.  I put the clamp on the bowl  behind the back spacer button of the seat and position the drain line to point down and then put the line over the tissue holder.  That seems to keep the line from turning.  With the clamp where it is, it does not squish the line when I am sitting.  I work the drain line a tad to make sure the line moved freely.

We were told to pour some bleach water down the drain of wherever we put the drain line each morning. I thought it was for potential bacteria growth but maybe that would have kept the drain clear?
Title: Re: Drain bag? or jug?
Post by: blondie1746 on January 31, 2013, 08:46:07 AM
I use Baster machine and have approx. 18-20 foot patient line and drain line.  I did have to rearrange my bedroom when I first started on the machine so that the drain line (and me) could reach the toilet.  I use a great little product called the Genia clip that clips the line to the rim of the toilet.  It is great for cyclers or for manual drains into the toilet.  Having both lines so long has allowed me to drain easily whenever I travel, too.  If I have to, I can set the machine further away from me (and closer to the toilet) as long as I can sleep comfortably.  Never had a problem.  I always travel with a drain bag, just in case I can't make it work.  But I've never used them for anything other than when I have to for testing.
Title: Re: Drain bag? or jug?
Post by: Whamo on January 31, 2013, 11:20:41 AM
I use a drain bag.  My nurse says it's important to use a drain bag because you can see if your fluid is cloudy.  Drain bags can cause a mess, though if the clamp becomes loose or you forget to clamp it or connect it to the cassette. 
Title: Re: Drain bag? or jug?
Post by: Joe on January 31, 2013, 03:06:16 PM
I use a drain bag.  My nurse says it's important to use a drain bag because you can see if your fluid is cloudy.  Drain bags can cause a mess, though if the clamp becomes loose or you forget to clamp it or connect it to the cassette.

I put my drain bag into one of the big blue storage tubs that sits on the floor underneath my cycler. That way on the rare occasion I forget to close the clamp, it's all contained in the tub.
Title: Re: Drain bag? or jug?
Post by: jeannea on February 01, 2013, 07:55:46 PM
I just bought a large plastic tray at a kitchen supply store. If my bag failed it held liquid.