Questions about Homedialysis...

[kristina]

Thank you Bruno for your reply.

I have a couple of thoughts, and because they are not based on any facts
I wonder if they are relevant to the PD v. HD issue (that is, why some doctors prefer HD to PD).

Could there develop a permanent problem caused by long-term-PD?
An irreversible change which may leave the patient vulnerable
& open to other medical problems (unrelated to the kidneys) in the future?

HD might carry its own problems, but perhaps there isn’t such a risk
of permanent medical problems arising with long-term HD?
This is just a thought...

Could another reason be that PD might not be suitable for patients
with certain diseases which are chronic and which led to the kidneys failing in the first place
(kidney failure being secondary to a primary disease unrelated to the kidneys).

So, Bruno, it does come back to your thoughts
that doctors most likely approach each case individually.

Thanks again from Kristina.

[calypso]

PD doesn't work very well for very overweight people. It is a milder form of dialysis that will be inadequate if one is overweight. Also it's not a good choice for those that cannot tolerate 1.5 to 3 liters of fluid in their abdomen, such as those with hernias. PD is also not recommended for those that cannot do their own dialysis at home and don't have the manual dexterity and ability required to follow sterile procedure doing exchanges.

Other than that PD is much better than HD IMHO having been through both. Even considering I had peritonitis, if I had to do it all over again I would still choose PD first.

[kristina]

Thank you calypso.

Your opinion is obviously based on experience
and this is very valuable in any thoughts about PD v. HD.

I take all your points. It is very interesting, and important,
to talk about all these matters openly
because our thinking always modifies itself
as we go along the road of finding out the truth,
and hopefully, eventually, we become knowledgeable enough
to make the best informed decision.

So, thank you very much calypso, for being frank about this.

Because of the particular character of my underlying disease, MCTD/Lupus/SLE,
I must find out as much as I can about Dialysis.
 
With my MCTD/SLE I have a compromised immune-system
and uncommon allergic reactions to all manner of things (including tablets and treatments).

Therefore I need to know precisely what I am going to come into contact with,
be it material or vegetable, or chemical.

This is why I may sometimes appear very enquirous.

I have to prepare myself for the future in order to survive
when the time comes for Dialysis.

For the same reasons I try very hard to keep what little kidney function I have left
in order to stave-off the day when the inevitable will occur.

Thanks again, Kristina.