Baxter Machine: "Slow Flow Patient"

[Whamo]

   Last night I kept getting this error message.  It costs me an extra two hours on my Baxter, and I already do 10 hours a night plus a drain/fill during the day.  Today during my drain/fill, with another cassette and bags, I got the message again.  Does anyone have
experience with this problem?  I wonder if it's the machine or my exit tube.  I'm calling Baxter, but the last time I did no one even answered the phone on the 24 hour service line.

[Charlie B53]

Did it show an error code # that you can look up in the Troubleshooting section of the big book that came with the machine?

I often get a three beep alarm and it shows low flow or something like that.  This happens mostly when I am laying flat on my back, I roll onto my side and all is well again.  I figure that body position allows the intestines to fall into the cath enough to restrict the holes and reduce flow.  Rolling over part-way allows things to 'shift' enough the holes in the cath are exposed and flow more easily.

This only happens during my drain cycles.  I've only been on the machine for about 9 months.  Almost a year and a half on manuals.

[PaulBC]

We get these and it usually means my daughter has rolled over on the line. In some cases, it could actually be slow flow, e.g. due to fibrin, but I don't think we've encountered that. Hit stop, adjust the tubes so everything looks good, and hit go. If that doesn't resolve it, then there might be a real problem. Do you have a PD nurse you can contact?

[Whamo]

    Thanks for your input.  Baxter warned me not to tape my exit site because that could pinch my line.  Sure enough, I loosened the gauze I put on it and no worries or alarms all night.

[Charlie B53]

Glad you found the problem, a pinched and restricted line.

I was taught to always keep my site covered and bandaged.  I had a lot of problems with inflammation where the hose would press against one side of the hole, and I wasn't aware of it as that area of my chest is numbed from berve damaged that occured during my by-pass surgery.  The PD Nurses were always cauterizing that spot at every monthly clinic visit until we figured out how to secure the hose (tape) in such a manner that it absolutely can not move and pull against the wound hole.  It's been almost a year now and all is well.  But I can fully understand how making that first turn coming out of the body to laying the hose against the body can cause the hose to flex/bend and restrict flow.  I never would have thought of that being your problem. 

[JLM]

Hmmm this could explain why sometimes my drains are extra long.  My ShihTzu lays on my drain line during the night.  I get him to move if I wake up at night. 

[PrimeTimer]

Hmmm this could explain why sometimes my drains are extra long.  My ShihTzu lays on my drain line during the night.  I get him to move if I wake up at night.

Dogs are smart people. Sounds like yours might know what he's doing.