introduction

[cmelmed]

My name is Charles Melmed.  I'm 85 years old and have been on dialysis since March of this year - 2011.

I'm on Hemo and am considering PD.

I am trying to get as much info as I can from those who are on PD.

[Rerun]

Hi Charles and welcome to IHD.  I'm so glad you found us.  You are on in center hemodialysis right now?  Why do you want to go to PD.  I mean I hate it but I also hate change so I'm just wondering if you are having lots of problems or what?

Here is our section on PD  http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?board=25.0

Rerun, Moderator   

[Ang]

  charles

[willowtreewren]

Hi, Charles!

 

You'll be able to learn so much here, and also get lots of support!

 

Aleta

[Traveller1947]

Welcome, Charles!  I don't know too much about PD, many others on this forum can advise you better than I about that, but one thing that in-center dialysis can give you is instant help if something goes awry.  My center has many patients in the 85 and up age group and I've seen lives saved many times because help was right at hand.  All the best to you on your journey...

[cmelmed]

I want to try PD.  The nurses at the center are suggesting that it would be better for me.  The idea of a tube inserted in my stomach is not something I am looking forward to.  I am hoping that after 4 or 5 weeks of manual exchanges I will be able to use a machine.  I'm hoping that the machine will do everything while I'm sleeping and that's all the dialysis I will need.
I've read that some people require an additional manual dialysis in addition to the machine.  I'm wondering how many out there are on a machine without the need for a manual exchange. 

I'm on dialysis from 9 AM to 12;30 PM Tuesday's, Thursday's and Saturday's.  It's Saturday today.  I feel really lousy.  I always feel weak and I have chest pains, back pain and my arm and shoulder hurts on the evenings when I have dialysis.  I feel a little better on the non-dialysis days but my arm never stops hurting.  I have a fistula. 

I have been seeing a cardiologist and do not have any serious heart problems.

If I didn't feel so lousy after dialysis I wouldn't consider changing.  I figure that if the PD doesn't turn out the way I'm hoping, I still have the fistula.

I am also having difficulty using this site.  I've never used this sort of thing before.  I guess I'll learn and get used to it.

I would like to hear from anyone who is on PD with advice.

And hearing that lives have been saved at centers really scared the heck out of me.  I sure hope I'm not going to be in a position where one of the nurses has to save my life.

[looneytunes]

Hi Charles and welcome to IHD!     My hubby did PD for almost 2 years with a cycler that did everything for him at night while he slept.  He did not require a manual exchange during the day.  But there are others that do.  Every person is different. 

Best wishes to you and am glad you joined in.      

[lmunchkin]

Welcome Charles & Greetings for 2012.  So glad you found us.  One thing for sure, you can try PD at home and if it doesnt work you can always go back to In-Center!  My husband did PD at the start of his Kidney failure.  He did it for almost 5yrs.  Then when he got an infection, he stopped PD and went in-center for about a year (not quite).  He too, was coming out feeling weak, bad, sick.  His BP would bottom out.  When he went in, he use a walker, when he got done, he was like a drunk.  I made them put him in a wheelchair when he was done!  It was awful to watch! So I checked in to NxStage at the recommendation of his neph. Now we are at home again, and are so thankful for it.

Now, granted, it is not for some people.  It is a choice!  Im also glad that that is still allowed in this country!!!!

But my hats off to you for trying to do it at home.  It will be overwhelming at first, but over time, it will become second nature!  But again, if you see it is not for you, then the center will take you back.

Again Welcome and God Bless,
lmunckin
 



P.S. Please do what the training nurse tells you.  Especially when it comes to PD.  But if you do it like they teach, you should have no problems. If they think that you can't do it, then they will not release you to home.  I think you will do fine, Charles!

[Poppylicious]

  Charles!