Severe abdominal pain

[prospector]

I got my abdominal PD catheter put in about 4 wks ago along with a hernia repair surgery at the same time. I have weathered everything pretty well until today. I had my cath flushed (2000ml total each time-500 ml each exchange) twice last week as some fibrin was found the first flush but none the second time. Today we did two 500ml flushes then the last flush we put 1000 ml in and was going to do a short dwell. After about 20 min. the abdominal pain was so severe that it was drained and the pain subsided. I am to start my training Mon. for a month of CAPD and then CCPD. After what I experienced today, for the first time now I am questioning my decisions. I know I can't stand that type of pain each exchange for even 1 hour dwells.They say they will plan to start with 500 ml dwells then work up. Has anyone experienced this when they started? I expected pain but not unbearable pain.

[peleroja]

Sorry to hear about your pain.  I've never experienced any abdominal pain during fill or dwell.  I only experience mild "discomfort" when I am at the end of my drain and pretty much dry.  Was the dialysate heated?  Did they prime the line to get out the air bubbles?  Either of those might cause pain.  Hope it gets better for you, and be sure and keep us posted.

[ReneeP]

In response to peleroja about the air in the line, that wouldn't have subsided when Prospector drained though.  I was preoccupied one night and didn't prime my cycler's line before I bypassed the initial drain, (had done a manuel drain during the day) and the air in the line caused severe pain throughout, up to my shoulder's for approximately 3 days. 

If the fluid is not heated to at least body temp. does that cause you pain?  I get severe chills when that happens but not really "pain".

I know everyone is different... just asking.

I would try not to worry too much yet about this.  It can be uncomfortable at first while your body adjusts to the solution being in your cavity.  I wonder if the hernia repair surgery has anything to do with this.  What are the doc's saying?  Have you asked them about any complications surrounding this?

Renee

[peleroja]

Renee, I found our 4 years ago during a blackout that my body has no problem tolerating unheated dialysate, so I haven't heated it since, except for the cycler now, which heats it automtaically.

[prospector]

The air had been purged and the solution was heated prior to use. I had already used 2 flushes of 500 ml each when dwelled the last 1000 ml. The Dr. suggested we'll start with smaller fills and then work up to the 2000 ml. That was basically what the dialysis nurse/trainer suggested. Guess we'll find out.

[Joe Paul]

As the others said, I had discomfort, but no real pain. I hope it gets better for you, good luck.

[prospector]

Well I've finished 2 days of training at the center and so far the abdominal pain has not shown up. Some discomfort but no real pain. They seem to think the pain may have been originating from the hernia surgery I had at the same time of my catheter surgery. Also, they are gradually increasing the solution dose daily to see if I can get over the hump. We've still got a few days here before they turn us loose on our own as we are 3 hrs. from home. They want to get it right--me too.

[monrein]

And us too.  They have to get it right.   

[libran925]

I was on CCPD for four years. I didnt have abdominal pain but I did occasionally have shoulder pain that is caused by pain radiating from the abdomen. Very painful but not very frequent. While I was on CCPD, I was satisfied with it. It left my days free to do as I wanted. But then early this year, my nephrologist added two manual exchanges during the day, and it all became overwhelming! So, I switched back to hemodialysis and am happy to let the techs do the work of hooking me up, etc. I sleep better now since I don't have to worry about the tubing getting crimped and the machine's alarm going of in the dead of night. Removal of my PD catheter resulted in a hernia which resulted in a bowel obstruction which resulted in abdominal surgery and a three-week stay at the hospital. Am just getting back to some kind of normal. Have been feeling isolated and depressed about low energy level. Recovery seems so slow that I have to think back to a month ago and then say, "Oh yeah, I couldn't do xyz then." It's hard living with a chronic disease -- that's my conclusion!