New to PD

[Ricksters]

I've been on PD for a little over a year now, and have grown used to it. A little rocky for a while as I kept absorbing too much dialysis fluid during the day, but once we switched to extraneal that solved the problem.  I only hope that I can stay on PD until I am hopefully lucky enough to get a new kidney!

Ricki

[rosebudd85]

HI, I started with the manual and switched to the cycler as soon as I could, I didn't like the fullness I felt on the manual and it was hard for me to eat because I felt so full all the time.  The PD at night is great cause you do it while your sleeping and gives you more freedom during the day.  I also live life to the fullest we camp every weekend and I have a generator we take to our lake lot since we have no electricty there it all works fine.  like everyone else said you do have to have storage for 40 or more boxes and they can't be in an unheated garaage.  Another great thing is you don't have watch your fluids too much and I also don't have to watch the foods I eat too much besides low salt.  I hope you have a good experience with whatever you choose.  Good Luck!!

[M3Riddler]

Hello All,  I am getting ready to start PD and I have read through most of the posts on the subject.  I have a question about the different ways to do PD.  I keep reading about Manual and cycler and some do both.  What is your experience with all three mentioned? Is one way better than the other.  Can you choose to do manuals and not use cycle at all or you don't have that choice.  I understand a lot about PD from reading, but don't know if you have a choice of which method you choose.  Your input will be appreciated very much.  Also, which do you prefer if you have done the 3 methods.

When I was on PD, the cycler was only used at night. I chose to do the manual exchanges and did not use a cycler. I used good ol' gravity.  A cycler is not necessary for manual exchanges. This should be your choice if you want to use one or not as they are not required to use.  Its just a money maker in my opinon.  Why use something that just makes it more complicated than it needs to be. This is my opinion.

I prefered to do the manual exchanges. I absolutely hated the night cycler as i did this when I was a teen and had to be hooked up by 8pm to dialyze long enouph to be up and ready for school the next day. I felt restricted.  Therefore I did the 4 exhanges per day.   I was totally independant doing this as I graduated highschool, held 2 part time jobs while in college and graduated with a BS and then went on to full employment..   Dialysis only gets in your way if you let it...

[Grumpy-1]

Words of advice to all on PD.  KEEP IT CLEAN !!!  I developed an infection early in 2012,  It came back 4 times and now finally they had to remove the PD catheter as it was infected and the antibiotics would kill it.  So now I have to Hemo (tunnel catheter in the neck) for a few months while everything heals and hopefully back to PD. Grumpy

[MaryD]

I was fastidiously clean, and got peritonitis (3 times in a row).  Still doing PD and on my second catheter and now I'm no longer a low transporter.  KEEP IT CLEAN!!!  I'm still fastidious, but no longer believe it will protect me.

[drgirlfriend]

I did the cycler. I preferred not to have my day scheduled. The cycler I could do while I slept and I love to sleep. Whether you need a manual during the day in addition to the cycler depends on your body. I did not. Your nurse will give you a choice of cycler or manuals. Even with the cycler you will get some manuals in case the power goes out. To use the cycler, you need a space next to your bed to put the cycler, the second bag, and the drain bag. I bought a cart with 3 shelves. My nurse had a video I could watch showing the cycler. Ask about it. Good luck!

Depending on who your provider is (we have Fresenius), a table/cart is provided for the machine. Also, we run a drain line to the bathroom instead of using a drain bag. PD has been good for the boyfriend. He keeps super major fastidious clean and hasn't had an infection yet (about a year and a half). Knock on wood! He prefers the machine to manual because he is very private and does not want to do exchanges at work.

[Wat76]

Thanks for everyone input, PD is going great, still doing manuals, will start with cycled later.  Have plenty of privacy at work, so that helps.  I try to be very careful and continue to take one day at a time. Again, thanks.