Sticky problem

[graeme]

Merry Christmas to  everyone. 

I am new to PD and am in my 2nd week of CAPD. Everything seems to be going well, I have been very lucky that I am in Australia and our public medical system covers the cost of everything and the hospital I attend (Flinders Medical Center) has been fantastic. I have read a few horror stories and feel quite privileged.

I know that this might seem like a mundane question but has anyone mastered taping the cath to your body so that it stays secure even while you are physically active and raise a sweat? We are now in our summer and I am determined not to be housebound and have found that as soon as I raise a sweat the tapes become loose and useless and then I have to wash and dry myself to reapply them. The only other way I have tried is to use a gauze pad that covers the exit site and this worked with some success but I would be using twice as many dressings and even though I am not paying for them someone has to.

Cheers and 

[breezysummerday]

Graeme, I was thinking maybe you could
cut waterproof bandages in half, length wise.
Maybe cover the the exit site so that it is
a diamond shape.  Then use the waterproof
bandages at the corners.  1 gauze pad & two
bandages.  Some of those waterproof bandages
are pretty sticky and cheap for a box.

[Wattle]

Hi Graeme and Welcome to IHD from a fellow PD Aussie!   

Are you taping the whole catheter or just using the tape as an anchor?

I firstly tape the catheter with a small piece of mefix tape. This anchors the catheter in place. Then I use primapore over the exit site. The catheter is then kept in place with a PD belt. There are many available online. Fresenius will also supply them.

I find the belts the best way to go. The tape takes my skin off and gives me a VERY itchy rash.

[graeme]

Hi Wattle  for the welcome.

I'm using about a 120mm x 50mm gauze over the exit site which anchors the tube to a certain degree and doesn't cause any irritation. I have then applied 3 strips of Yu-Ki Ban surgical tape supplied by Baxter to fix the rest of the catheter... it is this tape that comes off after a while under sweaty conditions... It doesn't irritate my skin however and works well otherwise.

I have planted 40 small scrubs this weekend and decided to only rely on the gauze over the exit site and tuck the end of the catheter into the top of my shorts. This was ok but I don't think I should do it regularly as there is the danger of have the catheter caught up on something!

I'll have to chase up a PD belt... I am not aware of them!

Breezysummerday, I might try the waterproof tape but will have to purchase some to try out. The gauze hasn't been coming off as long as I don't disturb it!

Thanks for your advice. 

[Wattle]

Graeme, I have purchased these before. I also use a Fresenius one and have made my own.


http://www.kidneystuff.com/belts.html