I have a date for a PD catheter to be put in.

[Adam_W]

I saw my doctor today, and we talked about me switching to PD for various reasons (access problems, and a future move where I'll be living alone). At first when I explained about the move, she wanted me to switch back to in-centre dialysis, and I (fairly politely) said NO! She doesn't think PD is a good choice. But I went into some more details about why I want to try PD, and she finally said I could do it. So, I go in June 4th to have the catheter placed. I do not want to give up daily hemo with NxStage, but I've reached the point where I have no choice. If my peritoneum is able to handle it, I will be starting out with CAPD, and once I have the PET test, they'll train me with the cycler. I'm hoping I may someday be able to get a better, more reliable hemo access, and convince someone to let me do hemo by myself (which I'm perfectly comfortable doing), so I can do my preferred therapy, nocturnal hemo. The same nurses that I have right now will train me on PD, and they've given me a lot of support and think I'll do really well on PD. Well, at least I lasted a year on NxStage before having to switch to something else.

Adam

[migaguiar]

thats a bummer adam.
PD is okay. I did it for a year but i think NxStage is superior.
Will you be doing the cycler while you sleep?
Have you thought that you will have fluid restrictions on PD?
and you cant control how much liquid you take off of you either. Its all just an approximate.
Sometimes you even have to do 1 PD treatment a day even if you use it 10 hours a night.
AND THE BOXES.........boxes and boxes of supplies. You will need a small room for them.

If you have any questions ask away.
In some cases, not all but some, in center might be better then PD imo.

[David13]

I think you just may be surprised by PD.  If you use the cycler at night, it generally allows you to gain your day back like nocturnal hemodialysis would do.  Also, the dietary and fluid modifications are much less restrictive on PD versus hemodialysis.  Peritonitis is a major concern, but if your sterile technique is maintained, it can be avoided.  Did your doctor specify why she didn't think PD was a good option?

[flip]

I know of several people who do daily hemo on their own. You might want to get a second opinion.

[xtrememoosetrax]

Good luck with this, Adam. I hope things go well for you.

[KICKSTART]

I do PD and live on my own , you will be just fine !!! Just keep everything clean and have loads of room for supplies !!!

[007]

Are there more supplies for home hemo than there are for PD?  That suprises me.

[CW]

Good luck Adam -
I had my cath placed 5/14/08 and it is working out OK so far. I do in center hemo now but I am looking forward to not having to anymore. I did not choose home hemo because I do not really want to stick myself and I have no helper.
Good luck with the surgery, I recovered quickly and went to work the next day. I am just a few weeks ahead of you in the process so if you have any questions feel free to ask.
CW

[Adam_W]

I guess I should update this. My appointment on June 4th (today) was my evaluation, not the actual surgery. The surgeon who will be placing the catheter kind of looked at my abdomen and determined where the catheter was going to be placed. My ACTUAL surgery date is June 6th, so in another two days, I'll have my catheter. Even now I still don't want to stop home hemo (despite the needles), but I think as the time gets closer I'm accepting the switch a little more. I'm sure I'll do fine on PD. I'll try to give another update after the catheter is in.

Adam

[charee]

Good Luck Adam

[CW]

Good luck Adam. 
I am about to do my first exchange by myself right now!
I know you will do well. Keep us posted

[monrein]

Hope all goes well and pd works out well for you.

[rose1999]

Best wishes from me too 

[Adam_W]

The catheter is in. I had the surgery at 10:30 this morning, and I was home by about 1:00. I promptly fell asleep for a couple hours since I didn't get much sleep the previous  night. It hurts, but Vicodin helps a lot. I go in to my centre Monday for my nurses to look at it and talk to me about some stuff regarding my training, and I see the surgeon in two weeks for a follow up. It's not very comfortable now, but I know that will get better with time, and I'm just glad it's in. I'll update later.

Adam

[kimcanada]

Oh good Adam, I am glad as is well   the pain will ease with time

[monrein]

Good luck with the cath and with pd Adam.  Glad it's done and hopefully the pain will be gone soon.

[David13]

It sounds as though all went well.  As you stated, the pain will go away with a little bit of time.  The worst part is over, and I am sure you will really do well with PD.   

[MyRenalRomance]

Good luck with the PD Adam!

I was on in center hemodialysis via a temporary Tesio catheter, last year.  I had three unsuccessful surgeries to create a functioning arterial vascular fistula.  Sooo,

On October 31, 2007 I started out with manual PD, but had a complication.  My 5'3" 100 lb body could not withstand the pressure of 1500 ml of diasylate in my peritoneal cavity (found out Dec 2007 after standing in line -on my feet the entire time- for 4 hours to meet my daughter's fave hockey player)

I needed to switch to the Baxter nighttime cycller on January 18, 2008.  I love it compared to manual PD!
I hook up, go to sleep, and am finished by the time I wake up!

I did not mind manual PD.  It was not difficult, nor did I have any complaints.  I simply learned to adjust my daily schedule for the 4 exchanges. 

My in clinic hemodialysis treatments left me weak and tired for hours after every treatment.  Not so w/ PD!!!!

Good luck!  You'll do great!!! (David13 had a lot of great advice, by the way!)

[CW]

Mmmm... Vicodin
Great to hear all is well Adam.
Thank you for keeping us posted. Good luck!