Extraneal

[Ricksters]

Anyone here using Extraneal?  I start using it tomorrow....I am hoping it stops the weight gain I am having on PD so that I can get on the transplant lis here in Georgia!

[MaryD]

I've been using extraneal for 6 months or so now.  I have never had weight problems though.  I do like it though because with the extraneal as a long dwell, I only need to do two other exchanges through the day.  I hope it works well for you.

[justme15]

What is extraneal?

[MaryD]

The regular PD exchange solutions have a glucose base.  Extraneal has a dextrose base.  I believe the dextrose molecules are larger that glucose molecules and so the sugary part of the solution is less likely to be re-absorbed.  Extraneal dwells can be longer. 

I wouldn't stake more than an eyelash or two on that explanation!

[billybags]

MaryD, I think you explained that really good.
My husband is on an over night cycler and his last fill is an extraneal this takes him through the day till about 6pm. Apparently it does not absorb into the system, unlike yellows and greens. So you are doing PD, what bags are you using through out the day? When my husband was doing PD 4 exchanges a day, he used yellow and greens. Extraneal was a bag he only used if he was going to be out all day or if he was going on a long journey. We were not allowed to use it a lot. Being on the cycler is different. Finishes at 5-30am and goes all day till 6pm when he manually does a green.  If you are putting weight on you have to juggle colors. More greens to take weight of, yellows when your weight is stable. Hope this helps.

[Ricksters]

Great explanation, MAryD!  I'll be using the extranemal as my long dwell during the day..This should be interesting, as my body usually soaks up a humungous amount of pd fluid during the day....I am looking forward to not adding any unwanted calories!  So now I will have three bags to hook up to my cycler..a new chapter in my life with dialysis  saga...need to see if I can work this into my book somehow!

Ricki

[amanda100wilson]

the Extraneal worked for me for a while.  as the characteristics of your peritoneum change, the transfer of solutes and fluid reach equilibrium sooner in a dwell and the net result is that you absorb sugar and reabsorb water.  you should find that the Extraneal will overcome the problem.

whereabouts in Georgia ate you?  I live in Suwanee, just north of Atlanta.

[justme15]

we are neighbors.  i live approx 10 min from Suwanee town center in Duluth!  off sugarloaf!

[Ricksters]

I live in Peachtree City, which is south of the airport!  Originally from Florida...I still consider that "home".