Ladies - What to wear to dialysis with a perm-cath?

[Panda_9]

I used ample tegaderm to dress mine so showering was ok, as long as you didnt shove the permacath right in the water flow. After showering I changed my own dressings if needed just using a dressing pack (aseptic technique) and some chlorhex (may not be an option for others though). If the dressing didnt need changing I just swabbed chlorhex around the ends of the tubing that stuck out of the dressing, just to keep it clean.

When I first got the PD tube in you werent allowed to shower for 2 weeks. Well for me it turned into more like a month! My other half washed my hair for me, which I thought was quite sweet.

[angieskidney]

If you are told NOT TO SHOWER, then please do not shower! I have a special kind that I can shower with only after it has healed as there are 2 cuffs in mine inside my skin. I still have to be careful but because of the TYPE mine is, I can shower (after the first 6 weeks of not being able to shower) as long as I follow a special procedure where I use special soap and clean the catheter first before anything else and shower from the top down.

I freeze in tank tops or tube tops. You need sleeves and a shirt that buttons up the front so they can get to the dressing to change it.

Exactly right! That 2nd pic was taken in the warmer weather but you can still see draped across the back of the chair is a pullover shift VERY smart idea as I get very cold in dialysis! My mom was nice enough to buy me a blanket that is just like a duvet but thinner and smaller for chairs PERFECT! 

Now that it is colder I always wear a pullover sweater over top the tank top!

I DID do a search though .. a nurse enquired about showering with a catheter *here*

[Panda_9]

Angie, why do you wash the catheter first? We are taught to wash catheters and wounds last to prevent the excess bacteria getting in it when you wash your body.

[Rerun]

Angie is talking about a chest cath and Amber is talking about a PD abdomen cath.  Two way different issues. 

I have a chest cath and shower everyday.  I think the reason people get infections is probably from being dirty.  I put the GLAD Press'n Seal which is sticky on one side over the site which is covered with Tegaderm.  Then I use silk tape (available at your local dialysis clinic).  I tape the top and both sides but not the bottom.  Water runs down and so I don't trap it with tape.  Then I pat dry and take that press'n seal off. Then I use the blow dryer to get any excess moisture.  Not too hot.

[Panda_9]

Im talking about the chest cath, not a PD cath. We dont wash ours anyway.

[angieskidney]

Well all I can say is follow what your dialysis unit tells you as I am only going by what mine told me for the type I have.

Rerun's procedure sounds very doable

[Panda_9]

My first permacath got infected as the antibiotic cuff thing didnt activate. Typical!

[angieskidney]

My first permacath got infected as the antibiotic cuff thing didnt activate. Typical!

wow not good


Well I just got mine removed on Tuesday this week and they had the hardest time cutting through the cuff (I was awake for this) as I have had it in for 14 months.

[Fox_nc]

They took it out?  You ok?

[angieskidney]

They took it out?  You ok?

Ya my fistula is working and they are going to FINALLY start teaching me buttonhole

I hope my pics have helped anyway while I had it

Let me tell you, I have had it soooo long (14 months) that it is weird to get used to NOT having it

[angieskidney]

Here is a flash vid on this page about the Tegaderm I used to be able to shower without getting it wet!

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Nexcare/Home/Products/FirstAidSupplies/Dressings_WoundClosures/TegadermTransparent/