Break from dialysis

[Tío Riñon]

While I am generally happy with PD as my modality for dialysis, I've noticed when people are talking about hemodialysis (whether home, in-center, or nocturnal) that they talk about doing the process 3-5 times per week.  This means that they get 2-4 days where they don't have to deal with being hooked up to a machine.  I'm jealous!  I wish that I could look forward to at least one day each week where I don't have to haul out my supplies and be hooked up to the cycler, be awakened by alarms, or carefully drag my tubing moving from room to room.  I'd treasure a little freedom.

I know that I can survive at least a day without dialysis since I've had to do it a few times when traveling internationally.  What I'd like to know is whether or not anyone on PD regularly takes a day off and if so, does your nephrologist condone it. 

Also, I don't want to switch modalities.  I chose PD for some specific reasons over HD.  I just want to know if I can get a break like those on HD.

[Joe]

Talk to your Neph Tio. I would think if you have a good enough clearance, and you are behaving otherwise, you might be able to get away with it.

[amanda100wilson]

It will also probably depend on whethet you have residial renal function.  Once you don't you tend to feel pretty crappy if you miss days.

[JLM]

One has to know just how well your kidneys are doing their natural  job before even considering "taking a day off" from dialysis.  Of course that's just my humble opinion.

[Simon Dog]

I am a former PD patient currently on the Baby K every other day schedule home hemo treatment.

While the days off I get with HD are nice, I found it MUCH easier dealing with PD every day than dealing with hemo every other day.    I would gladly give up my "days off" for the convenience of PD.

If you want to live a long life, the proper question for your neph is not "can I get away with less?" but "what treatment is optimal for me?".

[Grumpy-1]

I was on PD for 3 years and would love to go back, but infections took that option away.  Doing any type of dialysis daily is much better than skipping a day or two.  WHY - it is more like how your kidneys function. It is easier on your body.   Grumpy

[Simon Dog]

Do not be mislead by the 3 day gap you get once a week in traditional 3x/week hemo - your body pays a price (numerous studies show an increase in mortality and morbidity with 3x compared to every other day treatment).    I do traditional home hemo (baby K) and my doc prescribed every other day treatment for optimal results.   I refuse to space it out an extra day even when convenient - in fact, I had to do two sequential days when traveling to avoid a 2 day gap.

The real question is do you value convenience over your health?   If you place a higher priority on your health, keep asking your team what is best, not what you can get away with.

[amanda100wilson]

Believe me, PD is a lot less onerous than any form of hemo.  At least with PD you get to do it while you sleep, assuming you use a cycler.  If you do not use a cycler, maybe you should give this a try.  it really is the least onerous option.  Remember the saying 'the grass is always greener....'

[jmallory]

For the past year on Pd I've taken off one or two days a month with no problems that I can physically detect. The doctor has never spoken against it.
I do have renal function and do 5 cycles of 1.5 dialysate at 2 litters a cycle. Your best recourse is to ask your doc. Before I started Pd a doctor told me that I may not have to do Pd every night. Because I was peering.

Good luck!

[Wat76]

Don't tell my Neph, however, I take most weekends off.  My Neph told me I could skip every now and again.  I still have urine and my clearances are great.  I have no swelling and stick to my diet, except for Thanksgiving, I ate everything I wanted to eat.  My phosphorous went up a little but not much.  So, check with your Neph, you may be surprised at the answer.  The most I have skipped is 4 days. I actually felt better off dialysis than I do on dialysis.