PET test

[justme15]

So I found out today I am a 'low average' transporter.  My doc said that that makes me just barely qualified to use the cycler.  So PD friends, what kind of transporter are you? anymore 'low averagers' out there?  any low average transporters successfully on the cycler?

[JLM]

I am a 'low average' also.  I am on the cycler also.  I fill with 2500 ml for 5x, with a 70 minute dwell time.  My time on the cycler is just over 8 hours.  My last PET was 3.  My neph read the results and he looked surprised when he asked the nurse, "Is this right?".  She assured him it was......  Go figger, eh?

[justme15]

so what does low average mean?

[amanda100wilson]

I was low average when I started.  my understanding is that this is a good thing, because over a  prolonged period of time it speeds up.  I believe that this is the reason that I could do it for ad long as I did.  if you are a high average tranorter, fluid and solutes  can cross the membrane very quickly and reach equilibrium very soon.  this means that the person who is high average has to do exchangrs more frequently.

[MaryD]

I was low average until I got peritonitis.  Now I'm high average and they're muttering about me having to go on a machine.  STAY VERY CLEAN!!!  Low average is the better place to be as over time you will probably become high average, due to your peritoneum wearing out over time.

[chook]

Question from me: I had 10 months on PD, all went well and no dramas apart from a hernia.
What does "PET" stand for and how is the test done? I didn't have one done while I was on PD - at least I don't think so.

[justme15]

I think it stands for peritoneal equilibration test.  For me, they had me fill the night before and don't drain until the next day.  They then took samples of my dialysate, refilled my abdomen and had me wait 2 hrs.  Then they took more samples of dialysate and blood. The whole thing took 4-5 hrs.
I didn't do this test either my first go round on PD 11 years ago.  However I see its relevance now.

[chook]

Thanks for the explanation, JM15. Definitely didn't have one done in my time on PD. At least now I know what they involve.

[Joe]

I had my PET done when I first started PD. It let's the PD team know how long they can let you dwell to get the toxins out of your system. So far, I'm a medium transporter so I dwell for 3 hours with a manual fill and 2 hours when I'm on the cycler. It's worked for me for the past year and a half, I'm doing an adequacy test this weekend, so I'll see if I'm holding.