What Makes You Discard a PD Bag?

[drgirlfriend]

After several phone calls, arguments with customer service and loss of sleep, we have our answer. The drops of brownish liquid are caramelized dextrose. According to Fresenius, caramelized dextrose is fairly common and harmless. After filling the bags, sometimes dialysate spills onto the outside. When the overwrap is put on and the whole thing is sterilized, the dextrose gets hot enough for the sugar to cook. Cooking it turns it brown. Our PD nurse said he suspected that was the issue but had not seen it in so many bags one right after another. He also says that the caramelized dextrose is safe.

Fresenius also said that people complain or ask about things concerning their supplies, but often do not provide samples so they can be checked out. That's a shame because this is about everyone's health. The boyfriend and I felt like jerks and pests, but he wanted to be sure he wasn't hurting himself. I think that's the smart thing to do.

[Joe]

It's good to get an answer, especially one that tells you the problem is benign.

[Simon Dog]

Ok, now I understand. I didn't realize it was a flat fee per day. In that case, you are accomplishing what I was getting at anyway, you are asking for replacement fluid for the defective bags and that is costing them $$$. That alone should get their attention and, hopefully, some action from their end.

Good luck!

My private insurance carrier send me a copy of the first month's PD billing from the Big F.    Asking price was over $1300/day (I call this the "Visiting Arab" price); the "insurance company paid in full" price was about $135/day.