Do you ever get used to this full feeling? CAPD

[marlinfshr]

I started my training this week and got released on my own this morning. The nurse came by and made sure I was OK doing my exchange here and I just completed my first one on my own about an hour ago. I have felt full and bloated all day. At the clinic this week while training I felt great. I didn't really notice anything different, but the fluid would only be in me for an hour or so and I didn't really move around, drink or eat anything while there. I filled up at the clinic this morning and then went home. I noticed a bloated feeling as soon as I got home. When she came by she said it was normal to feel like that. I understand that is the case because I just dumped 2 liters of fluid in my abdomen. If I guzzled a 2 liter bottle of coke in 10 minutes I'd feel the same way I'd imagine. I just had dinner and I feel like I just gorged myself during Thanksgiving.

I'm just wondering for all of you who have been doing this for a while. Do you ever get used to this feeling? Are there any tricks to help relieve this sensation short of not eating anything at all? My apatite is great but I just feel full.

Any other pointers?

This is obviously brand new to me. BTW, I have the 2000 ml bags which I understand are the smallest and I'm about 180lbs.

[MaryD]

I got used to it after a week or so.  Now if I'm going to do something which requires me to bend over a lot like weeding, I'll fill with 1500mls instead of 2000.  My worst bloated feelings were when I filled with 2000 of Extraneal for the night and the drain the next day could be up to 3500.  Now I only use 1000 of Extraneal at night.

I did find early on that my centre of gravity had changed.  That took more getting used to.

[Joe]

I've been doing this for a year, and the only time I feel really full is when I have a negative UF from my cycler overnight. And there have been some mornings I have pulled 4+ liters off. With just the 2L fills, I don't really feel the presence of the fluid anymore. So the short answer to your question is yes, you do get used to having the 2L of fluid on.

[Willis]

I've been on PD for 2-1/2 years and still not over that full feeling. It will help you lose weight though!

 

[JLM]

As far as eating, eat your protein first, then your veggies and don't worry about the cards.   

[Shaks24]

Hi Marlinfshr! Question for you...how soon after getting your catheter were you able to use it. I am about to get a pd catheter put in and train too. Hope you get used to it and do real well on PD.

[Deanne]

I had my catheter put in two weeks ago yesterday. I had a dressing change after one week (last Thursday), another dressing change and a test flush yesterday. I start training on Monday, so for me, about 2.5 weeks from surgery to training. I think the dialysis nurse said she usually likes to wait about a month to make sure there are no leaks, but my neph asked them to start sooner. I heal pretty quickly.

I'm wondering about the full feeling already. I already feel full most of the time and I think I look a bit bloated already, just because they left 300 ml in me after the flush yesterday. I had some drain pain so the nurse didn't want to make me too dry. I think my belly looks poofy. I'm fairly small (5'4, 130lb), so I'm not looking forward to carrying extra fluid around.

[Shaks24]

Thanks for that information Deanne. I hope PD does well for you too. I got a call from the D clinic today as they are getting background info to get me in the system. I still have not heard anything on the PD Catheter placement. I am scared but looking forward to feeling better after treatment starts.

[Deanne]

I understand the fear. It really isn't so bad though. Just take one step at a time. The catheter placement wasn't bad. I was home that afternoon and logged in to work just a few hours after surgery. I took the pain meds for a couple of days, but mostly as a precaution. The surgery site got itchy after a few days. That was annoying. I hate not being able to shower - I'll be able to shower on Monday, I think. The dressing changes and catheter flushes are a beginning of the education process, too. It's all done in small steps, so I haven't felt overwhelmed yet. I've already decided this should all be managable. It hasn't stopped me from living a relatively "normal" life. That makes it easier to deal with.

[marlinfshr]

Hi Marlinfshr! Question for you...how soon after getting your catheter were you able to use it. I am about to get a pd catheter put in and train too. Hope you get used to it and do real well on PD.

I had my surgery Tuesday the 13th. This past Monday, the 26th they started me on training. So 2 weeks for me. I have not had any hemo dialysis done this week and I was sent home on my own yesterday after a fill and then the nurse stopped by my house a couple hours later to make sure I was OK with it and to see where I store my supplies. So training for me was 4 days. Now I'm on my own.

I was told not to do anything strenuous or lift anything for 2 weeks after surgery but I went fishing 3 days the following week and did fine. I still haven't been given the OK to shower yet.

[Shaks24]

Well it sounds like other than the full bloated feeling, things are going well. I hope things continue to go well for you and you adjust to the fills.

[Joe]

I did a cleaning fill and drain the next day. After that, it was once a week with the PD team for the next 3 weeks until I started dialysis for real.

Hope all goes well for you.

[okarol]

They started Jenna on 1200 ml and thats what she will be using until we see how her labs are.
She would fill at training, leave and go to lunch and come back in 2 hours to drain. She has not been uncomfortable.
The real test is when she's doing it 3 times a day, which begins next week.
I hope things get better. 

[obsidianom]

How old is Jenna? She seems very cool with all this . Give her our best.

[okarol]

How old is Jenna? She seems very cool with all this . Give her our best.

Jenna is 27. She did in-center hemo for 3 years when she was 18, and has had a transplant for almost 7 years, which is puttering out.
I think she's a little overwhelmed about doing PD, especially if she wants to travel, but I think she will do ok.
Thanks! 

[tito]

I don't think you ever get used to the full feeling. I use the cycler at night and fill with 2700ml. That, plus the liquid I draw off results in a pretty full abdomen - though luckily I'm sleeping. During the day, I fill with 2200ml. I look pregnant, and my pants don't fit around my waist. I've had to buy elastic waist pants. If I am going out anyplace special (like the opera, concerts, dinners), I have been known to drain the fluid out and not refill. That makes me feel better. Still, I would much rather do PD than have to go in for hemo three days a week. I had to do that last summer (another story) overnight, and I hated it. This way, I am independent, I can travel, and it works well for most people. I've been on it for four years. I worked as a teacher for three of those years. Good luck!