Problems due to movement of the PD-tube...

[kristina]

I am aware some problems occur when the PD-tube,
in the body, moves from its proper position in the lower abdomen,
to a position higher up over the intestines.
The extraction of fluid from this area can cause constipation.

My question is this: has anyone experienced the tube moving
and do they have any advice on how to keep it in its proper position
in the lower abdomen. I believe there are little attachments to the tube
which are supposed to keep it in its right position,
but sometimes it does move out of position.
 
If this movement has happened to anyone
were they aware that the tube had moved?

Any thoughts on this particular aspect of PD
would be most appreciated.

Thank you from Kristina.

[calypso]

In 6 years of PD my tube never moved out of position. I even jumped up in the air once as high as I could. When I landed the PD cath smacked the bottom and it hurt for a few seconds. I never jumped again lol. But nothing bad happened.

[KICKSTART]

In the UK kristina , they tend to stitch the end of the tube in place , so its rare it moves. If it does however move there are several ways of dealing with this. A) If its due to constipation ...a large dose of laxative ! B) If its just displaced itself then a 'wire' can be threaded down the tube to re-position it. Or C) Failing all else a new tube put in.  At the end of the day , if its going to move , its going to move. The first signs would be bad drainage/filling and possibly pain on trying to do either.

[Riki]

mine wasn't anchored, so it moved freely.  I could tell if it had moved when draining, cuz it would drain slower than normal.  Usually, all it took to move it back was a change in position or to stand up and wiggle around a bit.

When I first started PD as a child, I had a tube that flipped over.  It would fill but would not drain.  They had to remove that one, and instead of giving me a regular striaight tubing, they gave me a curled one.  It kind of looked like a pig's tail.  If it flipped about, it wouldn't matter because of it's shape

[kristina]

Thanks calypso, for alerting us to this.
I think it probably is important to think about the actions we make
after these catheters have been fitted.
It seems that the tube doesn’t easily move.
I wonder if the movement of the tube
is in any way related to the male or female anatomy.
 
Thanks KS, that’s really useful information.
I shall bear that in mind if anything untoward happens.

Thanks Riki, that’s really interesting,
I wonder if the shape of the tube
has any bearing on the amount it moves.

Thanks again for your kind replies, Kristina.

[calypso]

Thanks calypso, for alerting us to this.
I think it probably is important to think about the actions we make
after these catheters have been fitted.
It seems that the tube doesn’t easily move.
I wonder if the movement of the tube
is in any way related to the male or female anatomy.

You're welcome. I don't know if anatomy plays a role but I know anchoring does. You might want to ask the surgeon if they anchor them in place or not. I recommend anchoring, as mine was and gave me no problems.

[kristina]

Thanks again, calypso, I will remember that.

Kind regards from Kristina.

[calypso]

You're very welcome Kristina 

[kristina]

Thanks to everybody for the information.

I have a much better idea now of how the PD-tube is held in place etc.
I also have a much clearer picture now and can visualize it much better.

Thanks again from Kristina.