Living with PD

[mike22]

HI, all it has been a while since I been on site. I just completed my degree in may of 2011 while doing dialysis all at Vanderbilt.I came home, even though I really didnt want to, and switced to PD. I took time off 5 months to get situated with PD and starting Tues i should be on the cycler. I cant wait because the 4 exchanges a day are starting to really wear me out emotionally and somewhat physically. So this month I'm JUST now beginning my post college life. I want to stay in my home town for about 6 months to a year.  Probably more like six months because I ready to move on with my life and I need to get back to a metro area, Dallas, Nashville , and DC are my top choices. 

MY biggest fear in living in any of those places is who will get me to the hospital when transplant calls and having someone there while I heal. Fortunately, I know people in both Dallas and Nashville but I dont want solely rely on them for everything. I guess I would like to know are there any resources for dialysis patients need assistance with medical care.

Lastly,how did you guys make the transition to PD knowing that there is more flexibility and freedom with your days to do more.

[tbarrett2533]

Hi Mike

I was on in-center Hemo for 8 months and I hated it!!!Dialysis consumed my entire life!!!
then I switched to PD I do CAPD (4 exchanges) on MY TIME!!!!!!!!!

I look at PD as it is part of who I am....just like I get up in the morning and I have to put my shoes on before I go outside...... well now I have to do my PD and it does help that my entire exchange takes from start to finish less than 20 minutes!!!

Now I went from horrid Hemo to lovely PD so what a HUGE change that was for and a positive one at that....
I actually love PD and am hoping that I can continue to do it until transplant!!

please if you get a minute hop on over to the home dialysis section and read all you wish on PD over there..... also (I am a HUGE fan of learning from other people) so if the mood strikes you, take a minute to read my post over there entitled "a step by step PD experience."

also somewhere in that post you will find my list of pros and cons for APD and CAPD............. 
Good luck in your journey and know that we here at IHD are all here for you!!! 
 

[Henry P Snicklesnorter]

.

[mcclane]

when i was on pd, manual exchanges eventually wore me down mentally.  I was constantly looking at the time to see if it is at the 6-7 hour mark for an exchange.

I eventually asked for the cycler, got trained on it, and it did allow me more flexibility than manual exchanges.  I didn't have to use my lunch hour at work to do exchanges anymore, nor did i require the use of the health centre at work. 

[tbarrett2533]

when i was on pd, manual exchanges eventually wore me down mentally.  I was constantly looking at the time to see if it is at the 6-7 hour mark for an exchange.

I eventually asked for the cycler, got trained on it, and it did allow me more flexibility than manual exchanges.  I didn't have to use my lunch hour at work to do exchanges anymore, nor did i require the use of the health centre at work.

I dont really watch the clock.... I do what I want , when I want..... just like any other thing..... everyone is different and I say try one and all until you find what works best for you!!!   
I was  doing in-center Hemo and HATED I mean HATED it, now some people love it...... Don't ask me how or why they could love something so horrid, but they do and I am happy that they found something that works for them!!!! 

[mike22]

@mcclane  I  AGREE with the mental tiredness.  For me its a combo of mental tiredness and emotional stress. I cant wait for the  cycler.  I so tired and I dont know why. I dont do much of anything but I'm tired. I think once i get the cycler I begin to feel better about things and myself.

[tbarrett2533]

@mcclane  I  AGREE with the mental tiredness.  For me its a combo of mental tiredness and emotional stress. I cant wait for the  cycler.  I so tired and I dont know why. I dont do much of anything but I'm tired. I think once i get the cycler I begin to feel better about things and myself.

good luck!!!
 

[HILINE]

IN my opinion PD sucks. all you think about is dialysis, it was not for me

[tbarrett2533]

IN my opinion PD sucks. all you think about is dialysis, it was not for me

well in my opinion Dialysis sucks. PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!! its not for me, but I don't have a choice b/c I like to live......just saying!! 

[Joe]

well in my opinion Dialysis sucks. PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!! its not for me, but I don't have a choice b/c I like to live......just saying!! 

What she said  And I've found a total change since transitioning over to the cycler. Not saying it's better than manual exchanges, I just think it was part of my transitioning into dialysis overall. I did manuals for a month, then on to CCPD. Since then, I've felt better, my BP has come into line and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for my labs. Find out about those tomorrow (where's the crossed fingers smiley???) All in all, if I have to survive this way, it's a doable thing. At least for me.