Blood in PD Catheter

[BETTY55111]

I have had my PD catheter in 2 days now.  I woke up this morning and there was blood in my catheter. I can see it from the tube that is not covered by the bandage. I have not seen the site because I was told to not remove the bandage. There is no drainage on the dressing, just in the tube.
I also have a weird feeling that something is inside me. I know the catheter is in there. But it is starting to mess with my mind. There is something inside me!!!
Am I the only one that feels this? I am seeing the nurse at the clinic today to have the dressing changed.

[peleroja]

Since it's only been two days, there may be residual blood left over from the operation.  I'm thinking it's nothing to worry about, but I could be wrong.  I once had a bloody bag on a manual exchange (pale pink), and they never did figure out what was wrong.  They finally concluded that the end of the catheter had "scraped" my insides, producing a small amount of blood.  Be sure and come back and tell us what they say.

[BETTY55111]

I saw the nurse this AM and she said the same thing that you did Peleroja.  She did not change the dressing, she will do it in 1 week. I love this group!!

[Brightsky69]

   Hi Betty,

Iam glad that there was nothing wrong. I am sure you'll get use to the cathaher.

[peleroja]

BTW, Betty, my friend on PD always found blood in her bag around the time of menstruation, which is completely normal and not something to panic over.  I am so looking forward to going back on PD; I absolutely hate hemo.  Keep us posted on how you're doing.

[Klopez15]

So I have been doing PD for about a month now, but for the first time I saw blood in my catheter tube. There is no drainage at the site and I don't have a fever. Is this something to worry about it might be normal?

[Charlie B53]

It is not altogether too uncommon to see a small amount of blood in your cat.  Generally you would never see anything small white stringy pieces of fiberin, but there are occasions when if you are a bit too physical playing with the Grandson like I do, get bumped very hard in the abdomen, it can cause a very small amount of internal bleeding which will tint your exchange drain pink.

If this is more than slightly pink, or if it occurs for more than one or two exchanges, CALL YOUR DR.

Do not be surprised if in the next few days you see larger clots of fiberin in your exchanges.   Any slight damage internally to either the peritoneal membrane or the surface of the intestines and organs, fiberin will for as a protective layer during healing.  Once sufficiently healed that fiberin will slough off much like a scab on your skin.

At least that is my educated guess.  I still get pretty roudy with the Grandson, so I've done this a number of times.   I know better, but,    I am a 'Guy' and we tend not to listen too well.

But remember,  if you think that it is more than just a little, or it persists more than just a couple of exchanges,  Call your Dr or PD Nurse and get it checked out to be sure it is not something more serious.


Take Care,

Charlie B53