How much red?

[JLM]

The neph here has put me on yellow - red - yellow - green during the day (I do CAPD)  The nurse at home has told us, during training, that red was to be used sparingly.  I am a tad worried of damage to my perinatal lining.  Should I be?

[tbarrett2533]

I am a PD newbie, however my PD nurse told me the same thing and after reading on this website I have decided that I will NEVER use the red..... If I have to get fluid off I will 1.  not drink at all, 2.  use all greens, and lastly throw in another exchange

I "heard" that red has been known to harm your membrane
with all do respect you are the boss (yes we should listen to our Nephs) but listen to your body and let that tell you what to use!!
remember it's your body, your health!!
 

[JLM]

I was having a lot of fluid build up.  My lower legs and ankles look like there is a scale on them.  I called the nurse and was advised to use greens and a red until I see them later this week.  I have not been drinking much and keeping a record of whatever I am drinking.

[jeannea]

If you need the red then you need it. You can do damage to yourself by not pulling off the liquid also. And as we always say on PD, if you're having trouble pulling off liquid make sure you're not constipated.

[Annig83]

My nurse always said "Go by how you are feeling, in respect to your blood pressure and your weight".  If you're experiencing a higher weight, and your BP is elevated, and you are noticing swelling and feel kinda tired or sick, you probably need a Red, or Green as opposed to Yellow.  I've only had to use a 4.25% (Red) once and when I got up in the AM I felt so dehydrated, but my swelling was definitely gone.  Right now I use one 2.5% and a 1.5% ( I use a cycler).  Keep doing what you are doing and ask your neph.  later in the week.

[JLM]

I do have a BM problem.  At home I wouldn't go for 3-4 day, then my bowel would empty out explosively, then I would repeat the cycle.  Here the neph suggested that I get Benefiber and it has stopped the swinging between not going and the projectile poops.  I still do not go much for several days, but now have a somewhat normal BM when I do go.  Mayhaps this is why I am having this fluid build up problem.  I'll have to get the poop chute working regularly

[tbarrett2533]

I do have a BM problem.  At home I wouldn't go for 3-4 day, then my bowel would empty out explosively, then I would repeat the cycle.  Here the neph suggested that I get Benefiber and it has stopped the swinging between not going and the projectile poops.  I still do not go much for several days, but now have a somewhat normal BM when I do go.  Mayhaps this is why I am having this fluid build up problem.  I'll have to get the poop chute working regularly

I take a colace in the AM and one in the PM and this keeps me "regular"....... Since starting dialysis I have had problems with "going" b/c of all the iron, however the colace seems to work good for me...... and I don't taste anything b/c its just another pill
good luck 

[Marina]

During  training I  was  told  NOT   to use  red  more  than 1x/week.     If  possible  to  avoid  it  all together.      Red  causes  irritation  to  the  peritoneum  walls,  and  it  damages the  membrane  faster.
I  was  told  if  I  had  excess  fluid,  to  do  a  very  short  dwell   (1-1½  hrs)  with  a   2.5%
If  I  did  use  red  I  was  told    dwell  time  should  not exceed  3hrs.

I  think in   6½   yrs  I  used  1-2 red  boxes  total.         

[jeannea]

I currently take 2 colace gel caps and 2 benefiber tablets every day. If necessary I change the colace for peri colace to get rid of constipation. Also, if I get a low UF one night I don't reach for the red bags right away. Somtimes one night will be bad and the next night good. If it builds up a few nights then I get out the red. And I almost never use 2 red bags. I use one red and one green.

[JLM]

I just got out of the hospital after going to the ER with a huge headache.  A tumor on my pituitary Gland was found. While in the hospital they also worked on getting my PD stable.  The doctor there has me dry at night.  I do my 4 exchanges, with a 3 hour dwell, but drain the 4th one and not refill until morning.  Since I tend to absorb fluid during the night I am hoping the Neph at the clinic here will continue this.  I was in there a week. 

[jeannea]

I'm glad you have a regimen that works. That tumor thing doesn't sound fun though. Is it serious?

[JLM]

I am off the reds now and do greens and yellows.  My BP has come down.  Of course I have a ton of pills to take.

I have to see the doctor for the Pituitary Gland tumor.  As you know the P Gland controls many hormones in the body.  It excretes growth hormone and my facial features would change; hands and feet get larger; tongue get larger, but I won't get taller.  Plus a lot of internal changes.  I can only wait until I talk to the doctor on Monday to see what my options are.

[JLM]

RE: the tumor
After, what seems like a gazillion blood tests, I was told the no growth hormones are being made and my side vision is not being affected by this tumor.  I have to follow up on it after I get home.  The last blood test took 5 lab personal and 10 pokes to get 3 good draws spaced 1 hour apart, the original draw plus two more.  I think if they would have put a hose in my butt and I waved my arms around they could have used me for a lawn sprinkler!

[Mike_NC]

In the 4 years I've been on PD, I've never once used a red bag. Typically, I use 2 yellows on the cycler at night and if I happen to notice any fluid retention I use either 1 yellow and 1 green or 2 greens over a couple of nights depending on the amount of fluid I need to take off. Lucky for me I still have some residual kidney function and produce what the clinic refers to as a significant amount of urine.

[amanda100wilson]

Please understand that people who need to use reds are not failing at their dialysis.  The peritoneum changes with use over time, transfer of fluid  across the peritoneum speeds up and fluid equilibrium is reached much more quickLy over time.  In addition residual renal function diminishes.  Individual characteristics of peritoneums vary from person to person anyway, and some people are high average transporters across the membrane right from the start.  Being on PD for a couple of years, is a whole different situation than being on for, say 8 years as I was.  Started usung yellow/yellow, slowly moved to yellow/green, then green/green, then green/red, then green/red alternating with red/red.  Too much fluid on board is bad for the heart.  By the end, I looked like a Michelin man, which is why, I elected to switch to NxStage and havelost over 20lbs in weight, and strangely, thechronic thirst has dissipated.