how to secure my PD hose

[marlinfshr]

I just got my PD catheter this past Tuesday. It wasn't supported very well and was all open at the top so I bought some white cloth like tape which doesn't stick for more then a minute to secure it better. It didn't! When I went to dialysis the other day one of the techs put some type of square bandage with sticky's around it (actually 3 of them) on top of this mess I had going on. They didn't have any large ones to use just one. Well, it's been uncomfortable and I decided to try re-bandaging it tonight. I cleaned my hands real good but had no gloves or mask. It was all open any way so I figured I probably couldn't hurt myself. Well, I kept on the part of the bandage that the surgeon had on that covered the actual outlet since I had no alcohol to clean anything. Then I put one of those square bandages over top of it. Now I have a 10" hose to secure. I just coiled that up and slapped 2 more of those squares on top of that. it doesn't look like it's going to last and I really don't want this thing being open and getting infected.

So, how do I secure it? It is about 4" above and to the left of my belly button so of course it is on my fattest part. I have seen that there are belts that are made for this but now that I'm looking I can't find the link. Does anybody know the brand? Do they work? Can a temporary be fabricated?

As far as tomorrow and it being a Sunday and the dialysis center is closed. What should I get at the pharmacy tomorrow as far as bandages to at least cover this correctly? How about a type of tape that actually sticks? Do I just get the regular alcohol they sell and wipe that around the exit?

Looking at this mess I have going on right now I'm wondering if it's not best to just get a fistula and sticking with in center HD, but I'm scared of destroying whats left of my kidney function since I still make all my urine. Right now I have this 10" hose in my belly with a bunch of bandages around that makes it look like I just got shot. Another 6" catheter out of my upper chest/neck which hopefully will be removed soon. Then I have the large bandage where they cut into my belt line which has a clear tape that actually sticks, plus a small hole above my new hose which is taped up with sticky tape as well. I don't feel the cuts anymore but the pain from all the tape is unbearable whenever I move.

Does this get better? I'm sure once all these extras are removed but really does it? Do you ever get used to this hose? Can it really be secured?

[MaryD]

It certainly does get better.  In two weeks everything will be mostly healed and you should be OK to shower.  PD will give you so much more freedom with the times and frequency of dialysis.

I use a Stickman belt  (Google).  I find them very good.  The end of my catheter is stowed away and the whole lot feels quite supported.  I have seen posts about a T-shirt with a little pocket for storing your catheter.  I haven't tried them but there are a few people here who swear by them. 

Good luck!

[Sydnee]

As far as cleaning Ed and I use the alcohol based clearer that FMC gave him. We cover the the exit site with a 2x2 gauze pad and tape it in place with medical "paper tape". Ed wears the stickmans PD belt. If you do a search of "PD BELT" you will find a few different makers.
Your PD nurse may have a belt you can have while you decide what to buy. Ed has 2 from the nurse he said they are not as nice as the stickmans belt but still nicer than taping the tube. One thing he had to do when he was taping, he had to shave other wise the tape would stick to his hair but not his belly so it didn't secure very well. We use the same paper tape to tape tube in place.

[okarol]

They should have give you a belt, and you should be seen weekly for a dressing change after they check the cath exit.
They gave Jenna a roll of tape to secure it while healing.
The most important thing we were told was to not let the tube flop around, keep it secured in the same direction each time.
More here: http://www.davita.com/treatment-options/home-peritoneal-dialysis/what-is-peritoneal-disease-/preparing-for-peritoneal-dialysis-catheter-surgery/t/6152

[Joe]

Did your dialysis center not give you any supplies to care for your exit site? If you have to get your own supplies, you'll need antibiotic cream, 2x2s and tape. Keep the cream on your exit site for about 2 weeks, and keep it covered and taped while it heals.
Good luck.

[marlinfshr]

No. They or the hospital gave nothing. No instructions either. My dialysis center said that the following week at one of my dialysis sessions they would change the bandage. I couldn't wait that long so last night I had to do something. Today I went to the pharmacy and bought a few supplies in case I needed to change them. I don't intend to though because everything I put on last night is still there so I don't want to mess with anything too much until they go over with me what to do. I plan to go to the dialysis clinic tomorrow even though I'm not scheduled and ask the PD nurse if she can change it up tomorrow. I'm sure the tape and bandages from the other 2 places they accessed (not the exit sites) need to be changed as well. Possibly time for them to get some air? The tape at those places is really starting to itch. I'll see tomorrow! Also I think I'm going to order several of those stickman belts.

[Willis]

I've used Stickman belts to hold the cath for almost 3 years now. I bought one for each day of the week and all are still in great condition. I recommend the ful-cloth versions, not the mesh versions. I got a couple of the mesh belts but they roll up and don't work as well. After the first month on PD before I got the belts I got a terrible tape rash.

 

[Joe]

I'm with Willis on the Stickman belts. I too have one for every day of the week. But I do have a mesh belt, use it for showering.
Hope all goes well.

[blondie1746]

I use gentamycin cream after showers around my exit site.  Then I cover it with a 2x2 and paper tape.  Then I use a belt from Patient's Pride most of the time.  I also bought a t-shirt that has a hole and Velcro, but I don't remember the name of the company.  But if you search the forum, you will find it.  That's where I found the info.  I like both of them.  And, at night, I just tuck the tubing into my underwear with the top sticking out, so I can hook up to Baxter machine.  I never use anything when I am showering.  It just hangs down, no problem.  Good luck, hope you find something comfortable for you!

[Deanne]

I had my catheter inserted last Thursday. My dialysis center contacted me before and after it was placed to give me instructions and to schedule one-week and two-week dressing changes and flushes. They told me that if I needed a dressing change in-between to call and they'd arrange a time for me to come in to do it. It sounds like your surgeon didn't do a good job at the beginning. Mine tube is entirely covered with a gauze square - several layers of gauze, and then fully encased with clear tape. It's a bit itchy, but it's very secure and I'm not having any problems with it. I hope yours is ok!

[JLM]

Carriagehouse Enterprises.com for the t-shirts.  They run true to size, but I wished that I had gotten mine one size bigger.  I don't use the buttonhole; I just come from under the shirt and use the velcro holders.

[blondie1746]

Here's a tip for securing the drain line, once you get on the cycler.  It is called "The Original Genia Clip."  I found it online, just google it.  It holds your drain line onto the edge of the toilet.  I used to drain into my bathroom sink, but I think it started to clog it up.  Draining into the toilet is much better.  I have to clean the toilet more often.  I think it is because of the solution, it tends to need cleaning more often.  A little bleach into the bowl everyday helps.  Acutally this clip helps for manual exchanges or cycler.  Hope you are getting used to PD!

[Joe]

Don't know how far you are from the toilet, but I'm tight at the end of the 20' of hose. I use a drain bag for my cycler. I place it in a large plastic storage container just in case of a leak (and it happens about every other month.     ) The tub makes it a not so bad experience when it does happen. In the morning, I drag it over and drain it into the tub the rinse the tub when it's all done. Keeps things tidy and clean.
Good luck and hope all is going well.

[Willis]

I used to use a large container too for the same reason as Joe, but it's quite heavy and got to be too hard on me to carry and dump. So I asked (and received) a supply of extensions for the drain hose frm Baxter with my monthy delivery which gives me enough length to reach the bathroom. In my case it works best for the hose to drain in my shower.

So this is how I made my extra-long extension:

- I cut the drain end of my hose, added a hose clamp, then took the sharp white plastic tip from a used cassette drain line and added it to the end. This lets me stick it in the drain and it stays put. The clamp prevents the hose from draining while the shower is being used and I've laid it aside.
- The cassette drain hose (supply side) has a "Y" on the end. So right above the "Y" I use scissors and cut off all but about 6" of the cassette's drain line. This leaves an unclamped line on one side of the "Y" so I add an old clamp and then attach the other end to the new extension line.
- Then I just roll the line up and re-use it.

Notes:
- Setting this up each night takes about 1 minute.
- Forget to add the second clamp and you'll have a mess (don't ask how I know that!).
- I don't see the drain fluid so it's hard to check its "clarity"... so I take off samples on occasion just to check. The extra leg of the "Y" can be used as a takeoff point to check my fluid.
- Don't allow drain fluid to stay in the plumbing...it will attract bugs!

 

[JLM]

In a recent 2 month stay in Wisconsin I was able to order extension tubing to add the the end of the cassette's drain line.  I had no problem draining into the toilet.  I only wished I had ordered an extension for the patient line from the cassette.  Io get to bed and to use the toilet had me at the very end of that line.  I had to hold the line to keep it from pulling on me.  Next year, if I get to go again.

[billybags]

Willis, I think I am going to go the same way as you, get an extention. For the last 4years I have been empting the drain bags, it is getting harder, I am getting older and find I am struggling. The only problem I would have is not being able to see the fluid.

[JLM]

When I was using drain bags, I'd disconnect them from the drain line (after clamping off each bag) then drag them to the bathroom.   Then with heavy-duty scissors cut the bag line above the clamp.  They were much easier to handle.  I'm getting up there in age also, but I do LIKE the drain line going into the toilet.......