Can you do PD even if you had an operation in your abdoman?

[Des]

Just wondering - how does an operation (nephrectomy) affect your PD?

How do they test your peritineum to see if it is intact and usable?

How long after the "tube" is placed to you start using it?

For how long can you do PD before you peritineum gives out?
 
Can you shower/ Bath/ swim with it?

Do you prefer daily short exchanges or the nocturnal "machine" version.

I am seriously thinking of doing PD. (Now that I know I will have to do D for a very very long time)

[peleroja]

As long as there's enough space inside to carry the fluid you should be fine.

They do a blood test, then an exchange, then another blood test to test your peritoneum.

After the tube is placed you go through a few days of instruction and then you can start your PD.

It kind of depends on how often you get peritonitis and any other problems you might have.

They say you can't shower, but I always did and had no problems.

I preferred the nightly exchanges as it left my days free for other things.

Hope that helps.

[Jean]

What if you have had, say, a C section and or an abdominal hysterectomy, dpn't they cut open the peritoneum ? Doesn't that make it unusable?

[okarol]

We had been told that because Jenna had a bladder augmentation (they take bowel tissue and create a larger bladder) that she could not do PD. But now, 6 years later, her transplant surgeon/urologist says that he can take a look with a laparoscopic camera and see if the tissue and peritoneum looks ok and let her know if she could actually do PD.

[Des]

 

Am I in the dogbox ?

Very few people answer my posts.....

Again, I am having a difficult time and really need answers.

[rsudock]

I heard that you can't swim with the PD catheter. 

[willowtreewren]

Des,
I think what people are trying to say is that it depends.....

And remember, I'm no expert and have no experience with PD except many, many years ago when my FIL was on it for a while.

From what Okarol says, it seems that they will have to check out the condition of your peritoneum to assess whether you are a good candidate. So, your nephrectomies do not categorically eliminate PD as long as your peritoneum can still handle the filtering that takes place through it during that modality of dialysis.

 

I'm thinking of you! And you are NEVER in the dogbox (we say doghouse here  )

Aleta

[jeannea]

Some of the things depend on the rules of your clinic.

I had to wait 10 days after the catheter was put in to try it out. I am allowed to shower with no cover on it. I am allowed to swim if I cover the place where it goes into my skin. But some clinics say no swimming.

I do the machine overnight because I like to sleep. Night vs day is a personal preference nothing else. The nurse at your clinic will help you with the test to see if PD is working. It's called kt/v and you will do it every 3 months to make sure you're doing ok.

[Cordelia]

Yes, you can. I was told I could even though I had two c-sections and a laproscopic tubal litigation. It just depends on your scar tissue as well.

[natnnnat]

I am allowed to swim if I cover the place where it goes into my skin. But some clinics say no swimming.

It might have to do with the quality of the water where you swim.  Pollution levels, quantity of stagnant water and mud, etc.  Lakes probably not so good, clean ocean good, polluted ocean bad, etc.  Warning: this is an "I reckon", I'm making it up.

[Cordelia]

I was told that unless YOU are the only person swimming in a pool, you can't go into a pool. Lakes are a definite out, ***this is what I was told.

[BillSharp]

Way back when (1989) I was on PD prior to my original transplant. Before going on PD, I had a double nephrectomy, an ileoureter (sp?) surgery where they took 20" of my intestine and made 2 ureters out of it and hooked both up to my kidneys (experimental at the time but no fairly common), 2 surgeries to remove stones from both kidneys (before current methods of removal), and an incision from belly button to groin for an exploratory. Despite all the above, I went on PD and had no problems. Let me point out: those were ancient times in medical science terms. Medical protocols have progressed immensely since then. I'd say your chances are pretty good.

Bill

[Lillupie]

I only do the i cycler at night. The daily exchanges really dont work well for me. I end up missing usually one. So it is best for me to stick to at night. I just get too busy. I know not an excuse. Once I got the taste of daytime freedom, I dont want to go back.

Lisa

[HILINE]

I thought PD would be great but after A  month I realized all I thought about was PD, 7 days a week is a real pain IMO.  3 days a week for 4 hours is freedom

[Rerun]

I did PD at first and then received my transplant of 17 years..... but during that time I had a few surgeries for my diverticulitis and so when I had to go back on dialysis I was told there would be too much scar tissue and my Peritoneum would not be permeable enough to do the exchange of toxins.  I went and got 3 different opinions and it was all the same.  They never did any tests they just told me no.

Best of luck to you.       

[rsudock]

Des any updates? I have been praying and thinking about you. I know how scary it can be to face D for the first time....please let me know.

xo,
R

[Des]

I have been on HD for the past year and a bit. I hate it .!!!!! That is why I will be trying PD soon. Aug or Sep. (As then I can get time off for the Op to place the catheter) I have to say I CAN'T WAIT.

Thanks for thinking of me.    

[lmunchkin]

Des, if they find you can't do PD, would you consider doing Hemo at home?  Since you already have a fistula or has that gone South on you?

lmunchkin

[Des]

   HD at home is not available in South Africa.... so the answer has to be NO

[rsudock]

I have been on HD for the past year and a bit. I hate it .!!!!! That is why I will be trying PD soon. Aug or Sep. (As then I can get time off for the Op to place the catheter) I have to say I CAN'T WAIT.

Thanks for thinking of me.    

oh ok I see from your profile April 2010 is when you started...sorry for not being able to read! I really hope PD works for you to give you some more independence and no more needle sticks! Are you originally from the USA or were you born in Africa? I need to go look up your intro...

xo,
R

[Riki]

I was on PD for 5 years before starting on HD.  I loved it, and if I could go back to it, I would.  I had a bad peritonitis, a fungal infection, that caused too much scar tissue for PD to be effective.

When I had my last catheter put in, they waited a month before using it, wanting everything to heal properly.  You can shower, as long as you do a dressing change directly after.  I used to take the bandage off in the shower, just before getting out, then dry the site off with a clean facecloth, then put a new dressing on.

I think views on swimming is different, depending on the center you go to.  When I was a kid (12-14) on PD, I was allowed to swim in the ocean, but not pools.  When I got older, the rule was no swimming at all.

I prefer the cycler to bag exchange.  I'm no good at doing anything on a schedule, and I always missed one exchange per day.  With the cycler, you hook yourself up and night, and disconnect in the morning.  Everything is done while you sleep.

Hygiene is the biggest thing with PD. Hands must be clean when doing anything with your tubing or any other connections.  The smallest mistake can cause peritonitis, and I'm proof that you only need one infection to screw you up.

I found PD much more free than HD.  You don't have to go on anyone else's schedule but your own.  You do everything yourself, which means less prodding by others.  I also think less mistakes are made when you are looking after yourself (it was a nurse that infected me with the peritonitis, by not following procedure)

[*kana*]

I had 3 laproscopys, 2 PD cath placements and a bil nephrectomy and I am doing PD.  I swim by using colostomy bags. 

[gothiclovemonkey]

Just wondering - how does an operation (nephrectomy) affect your PD?

I had a surgery that gave me a scar from hip to hip, and i did pd...

How do they test your peritineum to see if it is intact and usable?

      Trial and error.

How long after the "tube" is placed to you start using it?
    Took mine about a month, but id different for everyone im sure.

For how long can you do PD before you peritineum gives out?
         Different for everyone, has alot to do with the strength of solution u used
 
Can you shower/ Bath/ swim with it?
       Not supposed to swim with it, some clinics say yes, some say no, but best not to, due to risk of infection. U can shower, baths are not prefered...


Do you prefer daily short exchanges or the nocturnal "machine" version.
     I didnt have the nocturnal as an option so idk

I am seriously thinking of doing PD. (Now that I know I will have to do D for a very very long time)

I had alot of problems doing the pd, BUT i still think pd is alot better than hd!!!!! I would do it again in a heart beat!
GGood luck! If u do get to do it, make sure u follow the cleaning process and tape it down real good, my first cath got pulled in my sleep!!

[Des]

I have been on HD for the past year and a bit. I hate it .!!!!! That is why I will be trying PD soon. Aug or Sep. (As then I can get time off for the Op to place the catheter) I have to say I CAN'T WAIT.

Thanks for thinking of me.    

oh ok I see from your profile April 2010 is when you started...sorry for not being able to read! I really hope PD works for you to give you some more independence and no more needle sticks! Are you originally from the USA or were you born in Africa? I need to go look up your intro...

xo,
R

South Africa Born and never been to US

[Savemeimdtba]

I am allowed to take showers and baths... never heard of the "no shower" policy except in the cases of the perma-cath for hemo.  I change my dressing when i get out and all is well

I am allowed to swim in private pools that I know are maintained and the ocean - it actually seems to help the exit site, salt water can be good for it!

I do dialysis at night on the machine - I did manuals for the first month (because I had to) and would HATE to go back now!  I know that PD can seem daunting when talking about it... but it really isn't that bad, I promise.  When i compare it to my experience on hemo - it's a walk in the park.