PD and Periodic HD

[Dizzy]

My husband began Hemo Dialysis in July 08 due to HUS and remained on it until the Middle of December when he began PD, first manual and then automated. 

Last week his blood toxins became so out of wack he had to go back on Hemo.  His doctor says he may still be able to go back on PD.  We have since learned that many people who are on PD also do an occasional Hemo treatment.  The nursing staff at his dialysis centers concur.

In reading these forums I have not come across much discussion about the need to do occasional Hemo while on PD.  What are the experiences of IHD members?

[Red from Canada]

I am going through this very same thing right now.  I love doing PD and it has been working well for me, but I developed fluid around the heart and the best cure is intensive Hemodaily and PD as well.  They let me out of hospital doing 3X weekly Hemo for two weeks as well as nightly PD on cycler and will reevaluate after 2 weeks.  Apparently PD was taking off fluid but not enough toxins..

[Dizzy]

Learned yesterday.....he is done with PD.  Back on in-center hemo for good.   

I don't think I can handle the needles, etc. with doing home hemo. 

I seen patients with their entire arms black and blue, and those with huge knots at their festula sites from receiving in-center treatment by "professionals".  Don't think I can deal with doing that as a non-professional.  Who is going to come and pick me up off the floor after I pass out.  I could not even give my husband his epo shots.

[monrein]

I found that by doing my own needles I was able to avoid the big lumpy aneurysms in my fistula as I was very consistent the first time with my laddering technique, always needling just up from the last spot until I ran out of room where the vein went deep.  Then I'd start again at the bottom.  The nurses often tend to want to needle the "easier" spots and that can cause real problems in the long run.  The second time I did buttonholes and although my fistula is fat, about a half inch in diameter there are no lumps or bumpy bits.  I used blunts very successfully.

I have had zero experience with PD as I didn't want a catheter in my stomach.