A bunch of questions about PD

[jadey]

Hey everyone

I started PD (night cycler) last month and so far things are going well. I have a few questions though:

1. does anyone know where I can get some fancy belts to protect my catheter?
2. for those who do the night cycler, do you have a last fill? My nurse told me that some people just go empty for the day. What are some pros and cons of doing that?

thanks!

[jadey]

OH and 3. do all PD patients need to take stool softeners? I take 2 colace pills a day.. but I'm wondering if I change my diet a little I can take less pills..

[Joe]

Hi there Jadey, and welcome to PD!
To answer your questions:
I got my PD belts from Stickman. Got 2 whites, a black and a mesh for the shower. I find that feeding the cath through it when I'm on the cycler keeps me from tugging the line.
I do not have a last fill at the end of my cycle. I'm empty all day. My pro is that I absorb like crazy, so being empty keeps me from doing that.
And finally, any hint of constipation is a problem with PD. My Nurse calls it the bit 'C'!  I take colace, actually a generic, and MiraLax, also a generic, every day to keep the regularity going. And yes, and dietary change might help. Talk with your dietitian.
Hope this helps and good luck!

[rileysmom]

hi there,  i havent started pd yet, will in a few weeks, getting my cath in friday but i would like to know the belt you mentioned where is this place that you got it?  also i have the same questions about going dry during the day. is there any cons to doing this? it sounds like something i would want to do as well.

[Joe]

You can find the website here: http://www.kidneystuff.com/index2.html

I do really like his belts. They let me fold my cath over to tuck it out of the way during the day and as I mentioned, feed it through completely when I'm doing my manual or on the cycler. Keeps from tugging, and that is a real plus.

[rileysmom]

thanks for the site. i will definitely visit it.

[drgirlfriend]

Welcome to the cycler! My boyfriend just started a week ago.

He is a Fresenius patient, so he gets his belts from them through the supply order. I don't know how many you can get that way, or if there's a limit. They are pretty basic and he wears his all day and to bed. It does not cover his site, so he keeps that covered with a 2x2. The belt keeps the line from pulling while he's sleeping. I've heard good things about the kidneystuff belts and may buy him one to see what he prefers.

He does not do a final fill. The nurses said that he shouldn't need to carry during the day since he's a good transporter. However, we won't know for sure until the 90 day tests.

My bf has always had problems with constipation, so it was a major concern for us going into pd. He not only takes stool softeners daily, he has Miralax every other day and takes Benefiber tablets daily. He is getting better at eating vegetables, though!

[bleija]

no idea about  he belts, i hate having anything extra on me so i am happy enough with taping, the last fill, my last fill 1000, and i usually get back 600- 1100 baack at night. personally i cannt stand to be dry, it feels like really bad pms cramps constantly, i hate it, and i beg for fluid to be on. as faar as stool softeners, i dnt take any, i keep a bottle, and one of exlax just in case. but i go every mornign, the only time i take them is if i m taking a pain killer, and if i havnt gone in 2 mornings, i take and exlax with a cup of hot cocoa....but on an everyday basis no i do not take stool softeners

[jadey]

thanks everyone for the replies and suggestions