Question: When did you have your permacath removed after transplant?

[spacezombie]

My docs have told me that they will remove my PD cath but leave in the permacath for "a little while" after transplant. How long was it before you had your access removed after transplant? When I had my first transplant in 1997, I made them remove the PD cath right then.

[monrein]

My transplant and cath were a long time ago and I only had it for 3 months until my fistula matured so I can't be too helpful with this question. 
PS That photo of you is so cute.

[spacezombie]

Awww, hehe. Thank you! I think your photo is super cute! We seem to have similar positive attitudes. 

Oh well, I understand the need to keep an access in for a little bit, just in case. But I am really hoping to get all catheters removed before summer is over so I can hit the beach. I sometimes wish I had a fistula!

[KT0930]

They took my PD cath out when they did my transplant. This was my third transplant, and they put the kidney right in the center, so the PD cath would have been pretty much ruined anyway, according to the surgeon. Thankfully my new kidney started working right on the operating table, so it was a non-issue.

[okarol]

Jenna had a permacath the first 6 months while her fistula matured. She had that fistula for 2 1/2 years and we were hoping it would last a long time - but it quit on the DAY of her transplant. Luckily her new kidney worked well right away and she didn't need any dialysis afterward. Some people who have sleepy kidneys need dialysis for awhile and if that were the case with Jenna they would have had to insert a permacath. The transplant team will decide after they see how you're doing, I think.

[stauffenberg]

I kept my permcath for two months after the transplant -- but not for any medical reason, just because the staff at my follow-up clinic forgot I still had a permcath inserted.  When the nurse was advising me against swimming in pond water rather than chlorinated pool water, I point out that with a catheter I couldn't swim in any water. She was surprised the access was still in place, so it was removed then and there.