Miserable

[BETTY55111]

I have been reading the posts about bleeding after the PD catheter has been put in, but i am still concerned about mine. I have been bleeding around where the catheter comes  out of my abdomen. Not a lot but enough to soak the 4x4 with a pretty large stain.
I called the nurse and she said to change the dressing. I did and it was dry all night until I got up this morning and it started again. I can feel something in my abdomen could anyone else feel anything? I don't have pain just this uncomfortable feeling inside me. No fever just miserable. It was put in on March 11

[Jessmomto3]

I wish I could help you but my little  guy on dialysis is too young to talk and hasn't had any discharge, blood or otherwise.  I'm sure some nice person will be on to help you later. 

[dh514]

I did not have any blood on the dressing when I went it for the PD nurse to change my dressing the first time. I had some pain the first couple of days after placing the catheter but I do not feel anything inside. I have only been on PD for six months and I am sure that someone with more experience will answer you, but I would need an explanation as to why it is bleeding.

[oleboy]

My exit site bled for 3 to 4 months with decreasing amounts until my clinic nurse used silver nitrate on the exit site. As far as feeling the cath, I can't.

[djgaryb11]

I only had blood when they first removed the initial dressing....and I also had a hernia repaired at the same time....so most of the blood was coming from that I think....after my dressing was removed, i only had a slight amount of blood near the exit site, was really more of a scab...and that cleared up after a few days.  I did not feel like I had anything in me at all, and don't feel the catheter in me at all now....I was in some pain after my surgery mostly because of the hernia, but that cleared up after a week or 2. 

[MiSSis]

Hi Betty, In your situation I'd probably try and talk with my PD nurse or the doctor again about the symptoms you're having.  I've had my catheter for over 5 years now and occasionally, if my catheter has been accidentally tugged on, I will experience some bloody discharge over the next several days.  On a daily basis when doing my bandaging, I wash the site with antibacterial soap using a sterile 4x4's.  After rinsing and patting dry, I apply some providone with a swabstick around the site.  I then place a split 2x2 bandage around the catheter, cover with another 4x4, then carefully curl my catheter (making sure there aren't any kinks) and then cover it with another 4x4.  Everything is then secured with paper tape.  I try to make sure that there isn't any excessive movement of my catheter at the exit site itself.  I've found if I leave it too loose, it has a tendency to become irritated and will be a little bloody and sore for a few days.  On those days I have some bacitracin ointment that I place around the exit site and it seems to help quite a bit in clearing up the site. 

I guess because of how my catheter is placed, I have always been able to feel it, especially where it crosses my abdomen right next to the exit site.  And unless I've done something to irritate it like I mentioned before, it never bothers me.  I just know it's there.

[peleroja]

I had a presternal catheter for 5 years.  I never felt "pain"; it was more like discomfort.  I never took any pain meds after the insertion.  I never bled from the exit site and never felt discomfort in my abdomen.  The only time they used silver nitrate on me was when I developed something called "proud flesh" where my flesh had started growing over my exit site.  Wish I had more I could tell you.

[Sluff]

I don't know enough about PD and cath's but I hope you find the answer. 

[BETTY55111]

I went to see the surgeon that put the catheter in and he changed the dressing. He repositioned the way the cath was taped to my abdomen.  He re taped it and I  feel much better. I think the way it was taped from surgery there was a pull on it. I don't feel anything now. NOTHING. I feel so much better. He also put me on some antibiotics since I had changed the dressing. To be on the safe side he said. Thanks to everyone for your advice and concern. I was beginning to wonder about myself and these problems.