Not So Good News

[peleroja]

My brand new PD catheter isn't working.  Well, to be more precise, it works as follows:  In order to fill I have to stand up and raise my hands above my head (as in, ok, lady, hands up and where are the diamonds?)  In order to drain, I have to stand up, raise my hands above my head and cough.  I don't know about you folks, but that's not exactly how I envisioned doing this (after having done it for 5 years the "right" way.)  So, thinking it might be some kind of constipation issue (can you still be constipated if you "go" every day?), they have me drinking sorbitol every two hours over the weekend.  Good thing I didn't have any plans for this weekend! 

Life, if it doesn't kill you, it just makes your butt very sore!!!!!

[okarol]

Well at least you still have your sense of humor...
(as in, ok, lady, hands up and where are the diamonds?) 
Sorry you are having a tough time - I hope things get worked out in the end.

[David13]

I hope the sorbitol "does the trick" for you.   

[G-Ma]

 

[kitkatz]

I hope you can "Stand" all of this mess.

[KICKSTART]

Sounds like for some reason you need to stretch to get it to work ! Might not solve your problem but have you tried lying down , might be a bit more comfy for you ?

[CCStan]

What a bummer !!!  Let us know (when you find out) What the heck?  Hope this gets solved really quick !

[peleroja]

Well at least you still have your sense of humor...

I think with a chronic illness you absolutely have to keep a sense of humor.  The picture of me, standing up, arms in the air, with half of my torso exposed, trying to cough (turn your head and cough) is etched in my mind.  At some point you just have to think to yourself this is way too funny!  I honestly believe that those of us with a sense of humor probably live longer with our chronic illnesses (or maybe it just seems that way).    as I type this!

[Wattle]

Did someone say diamonds??   

I thought of another advantage to doing your/mine exchanges that way..... My post breastfeeding boobs would be in the correct postion... so I wouldn't need that boob lift after all!!   

I hope they get it sorted out quickly. 

[rookiegirl]

Did they do an abdominal x-ray to see how the catheter is position?  When I was on PD, I had a situation where I couldn't drain or fill and my Neph did an x-ray.  Due to constipation my cath was position higher than norm.  They did give me Sorbitol which worked.

As for the question - regardless if you have a BM everyday, you can still be constipated.  The question is even if you have a BM each day, are you putting out enough was always the question from my PD nurse.

Constipation was my biggest problem when I was on PD.  It was also the cause of my first Peritonitis that kept me in the hospital for 5 days.  Afterwards I was taking Colace twice a day and if needed, I took Dulcolax (laxative).

[Red from Canada]

Oh Peleroja, I feel so badly for you.  Having just been through the same thing, I was just fortunate that mine worked right away.  Don't give up though.  It might just be out of position or need some tissue removed.  After hemo I am so happy to be back on PD.  I hope they get this worked out quickly for you. :javascript:void(0);

[Rerun]

If you have to sand on your head you may want to try hemodialysis.  It is not that bad.

Best of luck. 

[mcmkids]

I am so sorry to hear that the new catheter is causing you such heartache! I think that if you are on Sorbitol every two hours, you are probably all poo'd out!! It could be a catheter placement issue. Once we got my husband's revised and cleaned out his colon, the dumb thing works fine. Before that, it was stand and walk to drain at all. Not too convenient if you are doing this at night and trying to sleep! Hope everything works out and keep us posted    

[Red from Canada]

Peleroja, just a thought.....my Neph made me wait 30 days before he would let me use the catheter, because he said there could still be internal swelling from putting the tube in.  did you start back earlier?

[paul.karen]

Im sorry to read this.
I know you ahve been waiting to get back on PD.

Hopefully they will settle you out fast and get you back to the way you use to be.

[peleroja]

Peleroja, just a thought.....my Neph made me wait 30 days before he would let me use the catheter, because he said there could still be internal swelling from putting the tube in.  did you start back earlier?

Nope, haven't started back yet.  They can't even flush me.  Turns out it's a positional issue and I'm gonna get more surgery tomorrow (posted on a new post).  Everybody keep fingers and toes (maybe even eyes) crossed!

[paul.karen]

 

i HOPE this will fix it all for ya...