Do you get used to the bloated, "full" feeling? (please say yes)

[Adam_W]

OK, I've only been on PD for a few days, and the first couple were good. But now, as my peritoneum is starting to filter more excess fluid, I'm feeling more bloated and full. it's getting to the point where it's simply uncomfortable in any position, and especially when I move. I've even been getting short of breath sometimes. To make things worse, my doctor just told me to start doing a long dwell overnight. Now I have to deal with this when I'm trying to sleep. If I can't deal with it, then I'm going to be miserable on the cycler. Please tell me I will get used to it!

Adam

[kimcanada]

You will get used to it... when I first sstarted I was in pain , almost like a gas pain from being so full... I don't even notice it now.  I know that its hard to believe at the moment, but just have trust

[KICKSTART]

Yes you will get used to it , i (was) very slim ..still would be if it wasnt for the fluid  and when i first started pd i couldnt stand up straight , it felt like a sack of potatoes in my stomach. I also found it difficult to eat much , a few mouthfulls and i felt full. Now after 4 years apart from my beer barrel i dont notice it at all . Try eating little and often at first till you get more used to it , it helps a bit , also sorry to mention this but keep an eye out for constipation as this can have an effect on your drain out , but honestly you will get used to the feeling of fullness after a while!

[MiSSis]

Hi Adam,

I too think you'll find that you'll get used to that "full" feeling.  You didn't mention how much fluid you were putting in at one time but I'm assuming that you're using 2000L per fill.  What % dialysate are you using?  Could you possibly be pulling too much fluid off?  Hopefully you'll find things easier when you get your cycler.  Since you'll be doing more exchanges each night while you sleep, you might find that you can get by with using a lower % dialysate.  Not sure what the procedure is at your clinic but because my numbers remain good, I'm allowed to be empty during the day.  That means I only need big clothes at night.  I can still wear my normal stuff during the day and also I'm not hauling around that extra 5+ lbs of fluid.  Maybe this is something you can discuss with your doctor as an option.

[Adam_W]

I'm using 2000ml bags and 1.5% dextrose, five exchanges per day. I was expecting to have problems sleeping last night since it was my first "full" night, but once I got comfortable, the fluid kind of settled in around my guts and I didn't feel quite so bloated and had no trouble sleeping. I'll be glad when I get past all these annoying little issues, including discomfort from the fluid.

Adam

[rookiegirl]

Adam - give it time, you will get use to it.  Somedays, normally at the end of the day, I get really bloated.  That is because I either ate something salty and my body is pulling more fluid than norm.  I try to be good and watch my salt.  But, somedays I get the craving.

[peleroja]

I guess I've been lucky.  I never felt bloated or full until they tried to put me on 2500 ml when I was doing manual exchanges.  That was the only time.  Even now that I'm on the cycler and doing 2500 all the time, I still don't feel bloated.  My friend said it's because I've lost 25 pounds but that my peritoneum is still stretched out, so i don't feel bloated like I did before.   Hope you're feeling better now.

[MyRenalRomance]

The first time I filled up for Manual PD (1500 ml) I felt like I was 9 months pregnant, and I believe I even "waddled around" as I walked!  I'm 5' 3"  95 lbs.  However, after draining and re-filling, that feeling went away, and I felt pretty normal all the time.

Once I went on the nighttime cycler, I never felt bloated or full, ever.  Lying down evenly distributed the fluid in my peritoneal cavity.

Good luck to you!  Are you feeling better these days?

[MyRenalRomance]

Adam,
I did not see your more current threads.  I'm so sorry you're experiencing more problems. Again, I wish you much luck, and hope you get things sorted out! 
MRR