Purple Bags

[Whamo]

My nurse and doctor discussed purple bags as possible option for me next month.  Does anyone have any experience using them for PD?

[Simon Dog]

I think purple is Icodextrin, which can be used for very long dwell times.

[Indajen]

Simon Dog is correct. The purple bag is Extraneal. It contains Icodextrin as its osmotic agent and is used for long dwells, typically up to ~16 hours.

I used 2L of Extraneal overnight when I was on CAPD, but now that I am on APD, I use 1.5L for my 'last fill' and carry it throughout the day.

[Mr Ken]

I concur purple is extraneal..... My advice do not let them talk you into putting a large amount in.... ie 2500 ML... Keeping that crap in is uncomfortable. I use it and I told them no more than 2000ML. 2500ML is 5.51 POUNDS OF WEIGHT you are carrying in your front....... You do feel it.... 2000ml is 4.41 pounds..

Ken

[Whamo]

Good advice, Ken.  I don't think they're in a hurry because it costs more.  We'll see.

[Simon Dog]

I keep thinking of "Purple Rain" with the lyrics changed to "Purple Bags".

[pinkyD]

After 10 days, I started to exhibit a severe exfoliative rash all over my body and had to quit. It is not very common, but one should be aware of the possibility.

[dialysisrn49]

Icodextran is typically used for patients who aren't meeting their adequacy needs. In other words your body may not be getting as clean as it needs to be. It's useful to "last fill" with because it takes away the need to do a mid day drain or exchange.

[Tío Riñon]

I have been using purple bags (extraneal) for about 5 years.  It was prescribed by my nephrologist because if I left my regular solution (yellow or green) in during the day, it would be absorbed.  Mid-afternoon exchanges were tried, but it was a challenge to set aside time to during my daily schedule to get a manual in.

My run on the cycler is 10.5 - 11 hours/day, ending with a last fill of Extraneal, 2500 mL.  It is usually in me for about 12 hours.  I haven't had a problem with it and appreciate avoiding daytime fills.  Adequacy and UF are fine.

Give it a try and see if it works for you!

[kickingandscreaming]

It is hard enough without having to be "full" all day long.  I can't imagine surviving that.  I can barely move when I do a manual exchange and feel like I just overate thanksgiving dinner.  But that, at least, is only for an hour and some minutes (high average transporter).