New to PD

[KT0930]

I use antibacterial soap in the shower on both the exit site and the catheter, then let them both air dry afterward. I don't cover them during the day, and haven't since about six weeks after getting my cath. I do tape the catheter into place to prevent tugging, though.

[MyssAnne]

IF you feel comfortable, I would go ahead with the shower. Since your changing the dressings anyway, why not? I've been taking showers since the 2nd day after my surgery, and just chaning dressings.
As long as you use antibactial soap AND pat it dry with its town towel or gauze, you should be fine.

But again, whatever YOU are comfortable with.

[rookiegirl]

IF you feel comfortable, I would go ahead with the shower. Since your changing the dressings anyway, why not? I've been taking showers since the 2nd day after my surgery, and just chaning dressings.
As long as you use antibactial soap AND pat it dry with its town towel or gauze, you should be fine.

But again, whatever YOU are comfortable with.

Wow, your Dialyisis Nurse said you can shower even only 2 days after the surgery?  WOW!  Clinics must have their own rules and regulations.  They told me I can't get it wet in the shower until after 6 wks.  They gave a bottle of the special soap to clean the exit site.  MMMMM.  I'm really curious to why they restrict me so much.

[Wattle]

I wish I could get my hands on a water proof gauze that is big enough to cover the entire site along with the catheter.

You can. For swimming I am supplied with a waterproof transparent dressing called Tegaderm. Its 10x12cms. I use one to cover the exit site only, then I curl the catheter up and place another one over the whole area. Its made in the USA by 3M Health care.

[rookiegirl]

I wish I could get my hands on a water proof gauze that is big enough to cover the entire site along with the catheter.

You can. For swimming I am supplied with a waterproof transparent dressing called Tegaderm. Its 10x12cms. I use one to cover the exit site only, then I curl the catheter up and place another one over the whole area. Its made in the USA by 3M Health care.

I did find Tegaderm in my local pharmancy.  It comes 4 in a box (4x4 inch).  I purchased 1 box even though it was causely ($15).  I haven't use it yet.

[goofynina]

I swam all summer and didnt cover my site once, BUT, i did swim in a privately owned pool and when i got out, i showered and cleaned the site with anti-bacterial soap (some of the time)

[KT0930]

The one time I swam this summer it was in a very good friend's pool, who I KNEW would keep it very clean, etc. I only stayed in a short time, and I covered everything with tegaderm, then changed back into my dry clothes very quickly after getting out. I'm sorry to say I did not think of showering when I got out. No problems from it, though.

[rookiegirl]

O.K.  I have to complain on two issues: 

1) I called my PD Nurse yesterday about when I can actually shower.  I didn't realize until now that my 6 weeks is up since they placed my cath.  So I asked them, "can I go ahead and shower".  I was told that I would need to come in and have my exit site examined before they can "approve" the shower.  So they asked, when is my next clinic visit.  I don't go until Dec. 4th.  Now I have to wait 2 more weeks.

So, being a hard-head  .  I wrapped my exit site using the Tegaderm and I showered for the 1st time in 6 weeks.  I was in the shower for at least 20-25 minutes.  It felt so good.  I'm so tired of cloth baths, its driving my skin crazy.

I can't keep wrapping the site everyday because Tegaderm is very very expensive (4 for $15).

2) I can't believe my PD Nurse did not tell me about Baxter's regulations about picking up un-used supplies.  I started of on the cycler doing 3 exchanges at night and the 4th one is the ICO.  So Baxter delivered 2 weeks worth of supplies + what the clinic gave me.  I was only on the cycler for 1 week because I couldn't tolerate the discomfort.  So I'm now doing manual with new supplies delivered.

I was told by Baxter that I have to make arrangement with them to have the un-used supplies picked up and there is a charge for it.  So now I'm stuck with 16 boxes of supplies that is occupying the little space I have for storage.

I called the PD Nurse and I was told to "cut it open and throw away".  Are you kidding me!   There are at least 6 bags in each box.  What a waist!!!

[rookiegirl]

I have a question

For the last two nights, I have some cramping on my lower hip.  I noticed if I lay on my right side, my left hip cramps and vise versa.  I'm thinking it's because all the fluid rush into one side and it's heavy that it pulls on the muscle on the opposite side.  I know it doesn't make sense.  The funny thing is I have been switching sides for the last 2 weeks and I have never cramped before.  So what I have to do is when I feel it, I turn to my back.  I'm hoping it will not happen tonight.

Has anyone experience this type of discomfort?

[highlite36]

O.K.  I have to complain on two issues: 

1) I called my PD Nurse yesterday about when I can actually shower.  I didn't realize until now that my 6 weeks is up since they placed my cath.  So I asked them, "can I go ahead and shower".  I was told that I would need to come in and have my exit site examined before they can "approve" the shower.  So they asked, when is my next clinic visit.  I don't go until Dec. 4th.  Now I have to wait 2 more weeks.

So, being a hard-head  .  I wrapped my exit site using the Tegaderm and I showered for the 1st time in 6 weeks.  I was in the shower for at least 20-25 minutes.  It felt so good.  I'm so tired of cloth baths, its driving my skin crazy.

I can't keep wrapping the site everyday because Tegaderm is very very expensive (4 for $15).

2) I can't believe my PD Nurse did not tell me about Baxter's regulations about picking up un-used supplies.  I started of on the cycler doing 3 exchanges at night and the 4th one is the ICO.  So Baxter delivered 2 weeks worth of supplies + what the clinic gave me.  I was only on the cycler for 1 week because I couldn't tolerate the discomfort.  So I'm now doing manual with new supplies delivered.

I was told by Baxter that I have to make arrangement with them to have the un-used supplies picked up and there is a charge for it.  So now I'm stuck with 16 boxes of supplies that is occupying the little space I have for storage.

I called the PD Nurse and I was told to "cut it open and throw away".  Are you kidding me!   There are at least 6 bags in each box.  What a waist!!!

It is a waste!  However, what I'm told is that NO ONE else can use those supplies once they are in your possesion and you've signed for them.  Even if they came to pick it up from you, they will TRASH it once it reaches the warehouse.  Maybe you can do what I have done.  I "donated" my unused but still good boxes of solution to my dialysis clinic for training.  They won't actually use these bags to put into people, but will use them as "expired" bags when they teach new students how to inject medicine into them and for teaching purposes when they show this to classes of people.  My nurses took at least five boxes from me.  This saves them money when they have to order more supplies. 

[rookiegirl]

O.K.  I have to complain on two issues: 

1) I called my PD Nurse yesterday about when I can actually shower.  I didn't realize until now that my 6 weeks is up since they placed my cath.  So I asked them, "can I go ahead and shower".  I was told that I would need to come in and have my exit site examined before they can "approve" the shower.  So they asked, when is my next clinic visit.  I don't go until Dec. 4th.  Now I have to wait 2 more weeks.

So, being a hard-head  .  I wrapped my exit site using the Tegaderm and I showered for the 1st time in 6 weeks.  I was in the shower for at least 20-25 minutes.  It felt so good.  I'm so tired of cloth baths, its driving my skin crazy.

I can't keep wrapping the site everyday because Tegaderm is very very expensive (4 for $15).

2) I can't believe my PD Nurse did not tell me about Baxter's regulations about picking up un-used supplies.  I started of on the cycler doing 3 exchanges at night and the 4th one is the ICO.  So Baxter delivered 2 weeks worth of supplies + what the clinic gave me.  I was only on the cycler for 1 week because I couldn't tolerate the discomfort.  So I'm now doing manual with new supplies delivered.

I was told by Baxter that I have to make arrangement with them to have the un-used supplies picked up and there is a charge for it.  So now I'm stuck with 16 boxes of supplies that is occupying the little space I have for storage.

I called the PD Nurse and I was told to "cut it open and throw away".  Are you kidding me!   There are at least 6 bags in each box.  What a waist!!!

It is a waste!  However, what I'm told is that NO ONE else can use those supplies once they are in your possesion and you've signed for them.  Even if they came to pick it up from you, they will TRASH it once it reaches the warehouse.  Maybe you can do what I have done.  I "donated" my unused but still good boxes of solution to my dialysis clinic for training.  They won't actually use these bags to put into people, but will use them as "expired" bags when they teach new students how to inject medicine into them and for teaching purposes when they show this to classes of people.  My nurses took at least five boxes from me.  This saves them money when they have to order more supplies. 

I tried to give it to the clinic for training purposes.  But, I was told they didn't need them, they had plenty and thanked me.  I don't get it.  Anyway, I will have to cut them and throw away.

[KT0930]

My nurse "offered" to take my manual bags from me after I started on the cycler, but I have/had two problems with this:

1) I or my insurance have paid to get these supplies from Fresenius, why is the only way I can get rid of them (other than throwing them in the garbage) to donate them back to Fresenius?

2) I had about 25 cases of bags (100 bags total) left of manuals, and I drive a Honda Accord, and I live 45 minutes from my clinic...do you know how many trips that would take to get all of them over there?

Quite a generous offer. 

[willieandwinnie]

I KNOW THIS IS AN OLD THREAD!  But I wanted to chime in to what KT said. Len also went through Fresenius doing home-hemo. When he got his transplant, the home nurse was in a big hurry to come pick up the machine and supplies. We had the old 2008H and an RO that was older then dirt. We (our insurance had already paid for the month of September) had just got a huge supply order 3 days before Len's transplant and it frosted my butt that the clinic was going to turn around and bill someone for it, when they got it for free. I still have 12 vitals of EPO in my refrigerator, I refuse to give it to them. I'll wait until it expires and throw it away. I know, that's terrible of me. 

[petey]

Marvin and I trained for home hemo last summer with another couple.  When the other man got a transplant just three months later  , the other couple called us (though we met for the first time at the training, we became close friends and kept in close contact).  DaVita came to his house and picked up his machine, centrifuge, and fax machine.  They said they couldn't take any other supplies (and this guy had just received two months of supplies -- gauze, tape, alcohol wipes, gloves, saline, dialysate, SAKs, purification PAKS,  etc., etc., etc. the day before he got "the call").  The supply companies -- Baxter and NxStage -- said they wouldn't take them back.  This guy said, "I haven't even opened the big boxes, much less the individual supplies."  Everybody said, "Nope!  The boxes came into your home, and we can't take them back.  Throw them away."

So, the other couple called Marvin and me and asked if we wanted to meet for lunch that week-end.  We met them, and they had their car FULL of extra supplies for Marvin.  We took every bit they had.  That gave us extra of everything, and we were so appreciative.

I'm guess I'm asking, "Is there a way to 'share' with another dialysis patient who could use 'extras' without going through the company or the clinic?"

[rookiegirl]

Marvin and I trained for home hemo last summer with another couple.  When the other man got a transplant just three months later  , the other couple called us (though we met for the first time at the training, we became close friends and kept in close contact).  DaVita came to his house and picked up his machine, centrifuge, and fax machine.  They said they couldn't take any other supplies (and this guy had just received two months of supplies -- gauze, tape, alcohol wipes, gloves, saline, dialysate, SAKs, purification PAKS,  etc., etc., etc. the day before he got "the call").  The supply companies -- Baxter and NxStage -- said they wouldn't take them back.  This guy said, "I haven't even opened the big boxes, much less the individual supplies."  Everybody said, "Nope!  The boxes came into your home, and we can't take them back.  Throw them away."

So, the other couple called Marvin and me and asked if we wanted to meet for lunch that week-end.  We met them, and they had their car FULL of extra supplies for Marvin.  We took every bit they had.  That gave us extra of everything, and we were so appreciative.

I'm guess I'm asking, "Is there a way to 'share' with another dialysis patient who could use 'extras' without going through the company or the clinic?"

I guess I could if anyone wants them.  The only supplies I have are the cycler solutions, cassettes, drain lines.

[KT0930]

W&W, several years ago, after my H&H stabilized after my second transplant, I had about 15 bottles of EPO left (someone at the mail order pharmacy had screwed up and sent me a year's worth instead of a month). ANYWAY! The doctor's office could not accept it for some reason, but my mom was volunteering at a free clinic, and she took it with her one day. They were SO grateful to have it! That stuff is liquid gold, and is used for chemo patients in addition to dialysis. You may see if there's a clinic like that in your area that could use it.

[rookiegirl]

Where did the time go??? I can't believe it's been 1 year since I started PD.  I read through this old thread of mine and noticed how much have learned, grown and accepted this method of treatment.  I owe so much to all of you for your kind words, support, encouragement and knowledge.  I'm so glad I joined this group because without you all, I don't know if I could have tolerate being on dialysis.  Just being here gave me the incite on what to ask my Neph and PD Nurse based on what others have experienced.  So I thank you!!!

 
Rookiegirl

[Ken Shelmerdine]

Rookiegirl posts like that highlight just how successful this forum is and how precious it is to us as dialysis patients.

 I am so thankful to our founder Epoman for the legacy of love and friendship from the seed he planted  in starting this forum. And also to our moderators who run the site and must spend a considerable amount of time and effort maintaining it.

It's also very satisfying to know that we have all helped each other from time to time whether it's giving comfort and support or information and even a large amount of humour.