Is it possible to swim in a pool as a PD patient?

[CatonTheRoof]

I'm traveling to another city in one week.   It'll be a nice rest as it is tropical over there!  also, I'll be assisting the national tournament of Magic: The Gathering, for those that know about this game.. wish me luck! 

The thing is,  I'll be staying in quite a nice and not so crowded hotel that has pool.  I was wondering if there's any possible way of swimming?  how can I cover the catheter? /skin where it enters?

I havent taken a dive since before falling sick of my kidneys and I miss the feeling.     

[kickingandscreaming]

I think they it's safe to swim in the ocean or a chlorinated pool.  I've never tried either since beginning PD.

[Charlie B53]

You are going to get many different opinions.  Not al Clinics teach exactly the same precautions.

I was told NO to all pools and hot tubs.  Absolutely NO rivers, creeks, or streams.

There are a few products that may seal over the site and tubing if you coil it small.  I have not tried them and am also curious if any of them work well.


I have something not designed for that, but for wound care.  Duo-derm.  I don't remember the size I have, it's big.  It is a peel and stick sort of thick artificial skin.  It adheres so well you cannot peel it off like a piece of tape as that WILL tear your skin off with it.  Instead it must be stretched, pulled sideways, as it stretches it releases from the surface.  Sort of like those wall hanger hooks.  They stick very well and you pull the 'tape' down alongside the wall and it releases.  Both are one time use products.  The Duo=Derm is quite pricey, or so I am told.  The VA provides it for me for a problematic would.

[beckums70]

I swim in pools regularly, but I am quite careful. If the water is the least bit cloudy or off color, I don't get in.  I swim in a salt water pool at a local campground where my son and I like to spend some time every summer and have swum in the ocean lots since I started PD.  The trick is to remember to take along your Except (or whatever disinfectant you use after showering) and use that on your exit site each time you get out of the water.  I don't use it as religiously when I swim in the ocean, but I do when I swim in pools. 

My exit site is healed very well and I have no scabbing or oozing anymore.  I don't usually use bandages at all, but especially not when getting wet.  You really don't want a soaked bandage covering that area.  I wear a 2 piece swimsuit so I can cleanse with Except easily and then air dry. 

I have been in the river a couple of times and once in a hot tub that was privately owned, but I used Except liberally after being in the river and showered/used except after a few minutes in the hot tub.  Never had an infection yet.  I will not swim in a lake.  That just seems WAY too risky to me.

I have a nurse friend who is planning to get me some Tegaderm, which is like the stuff the other poster talked about. It's a very air-tight and waterproof bandage that is almost like a second skin.  If you use it, I would recommend putting one of those sponges with the hole cut in it over the exit site first.  That way when you pull it off it wont pull your skin as bad and it won't stick to the catheter as much, lessening the risk of tugging at the catheter when you take it off.

Have fun and go for a swim!

[CatonTheRoof]

In the end,   I used tegaderm which worked well  on Friday, Yet during Saturday it seems I put it wrong,  and got some water near the catheter entrance        I took a shower though,  and made sure to wash well.  Nothing bad happened,  and I had some nice holidays.   Thanks for your help!

[cassandra]

Glad to hear you had a good time!

Love, Cas