Catheter pinching

[Atooraya]

Does anyone know if the Baxter cycler can be modified for less suction pressure?
I feel it's trying to suck my insides out.
I'd appreciate any feedback on this.

[jeannea]

Not that I know of. We all have problems with this feeling. For me it only happens sometimes. I just try to breathe through it (and maybe swear through it). Try moving around until it feels better and take some deep breaths. Also do a search for "drain pain" to see other ideas. Hang in there!

[paul.karen]

The drain pain for most goes away after a few weeks.

But yes you can stop the pain by setting your Baxter to Tidal.  I dont use tidal but the idea is that it will leave some fluid inside you so you dont get the pinch at the end of the drain.

Look in your manual for how to set it.  I would walk you through it but im not sure of the steps without the machine in front of me.  If you dont feel good trying to set it yourself ask your nurse if she can give you step by step directions.

Sometimes just lying in a different position helps.
before i unhook in the morning i usually do a manual drain to get any excess out.  I do this while standing and usually get a few hundred ml's extra out of me.

Good luck

[natnnnat]

Here are some old threads in which people discuss drain pain.

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=19137.msg325994#msg325994

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=17126.msg297047#msg297047

[ardyce]

Atooraya,

Setting Tidal is so simple I hope this helps you.

To set tidal.........
example

If you do 4 Cycles a night.

Last fill 1500

Your fill cycle each is 2000ml.  I have my tidal set at 95%.  If you still have drain pain you can set tidal at 90% or 85%.  Your choice.
If your nightly UF total is 1000ml divide that by your 4 cycles you do a night= 250 but reduce that a bit so you don't have drain pain
Drain should be approximately 1900ml plus 200ml which equals 2100.

If you still have drain pain reduce the 200ml by 50ml
or if you still feel you have extra fluid add 50ml to the 200ml

Second example:

Or if your total nightly UF is 2000ml divide by 4 cycles you do a night =500 but reduce that a bit to about 450
So Drain should be approximately 1900ml plus 450ml which equals 2350.  Reduce or increase as needed.

Good luck.

Hope this makes sense to you.  If you still have questions let me know and I will explain farther.  You can alway PM me.

[Atooraya]

Thanks for all the feedback.
Going through this experience is easier once you have someone to talk to that gets it.

[chook]

I have drain pain and now have fill pain too. I was told it would disappear - over six months later it still happens. Not always. But the up side is it doesn't last, I can bypass it if it is too bad and I will put up with it without too much complaint as the benefits I get from dialysis outweigh the pain. I move from side to side, stand  up, dance - anything that might relieve the pressure.
Wish I could offer a cure!

[ardyce]

Chook,

The infill pain is caused from the PD solution which has a low PH level (to much acid for the body).  In Australia they have the option of using balanced bags, in the U.S. they don't use the balanced bags.  The balanced bags have a higher PH level (less acid) I read about them on the net.  I believe Chook you are from Australia so you could ask about the balanced bags at your clinic.  One thing about the balanced badges I read that you do not have as good Ultra-filtration with the balanced bags.

For me since they don't used balanced bags in the U.S. when I get infill pain i stop the fill let my peritoneum get used to the solution and than restart the fill and fill the rest of the solution.  That seems to help with the infill pain.

[chook]

Thanks for the explanation and the tip. The fill pain is bearable as it only lasts 5-10 minutes and usually only the first fill. I will try the stop and start during fill and see if that helps. It's good to know why the discomfort occurs. I just assumed it was the catheter position.