Securing PD catheter?

[KT0930]

I've been doing PD for nine months or so, and I've always used some type of tape product to secure my catheter during the day. However, I'm afraid the red marks from the tape are becoming permanent, even though I change placement every day. What do the rest of you use? I've seen belts advertised. Anyone know if they're any good? Suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

[Ken Shelmerdine]

Hi KTO930. Fortunately I've never had a problem with the tape. You may have seen advertisments by a company called  Patient Pride who make special made to measure security bands which I think can illiminate the need for tape. http://www.patientspride.com/

[rimbo74]

Hey KT,

I bought 4 belts.  You still have to cover the exit site so you can't get rid of the tape red marks permenantly but the belt does help you lose less. 

I just got a kidney transplant, so I have about 4 XL belts.  If anyone is interested in them, you can send me a private message with your address and I can mail them to you.  I'll even wash them before I send them.   

[tubes]

Hey KT,  I always used paper tape to secure my pd cath, never had any prob's with that. On occasion in an emergency or out of paper tape I used duct tape.  OUCH.....not wise....   What type of tape do u use?  I never heard of the belts until I joined IHD, but by then I was back on hemo and had my pd cath removed.  So I can't give u any advice on the belts.

RobertO

[MiSSis]

I've been on PD about 4 yrs and have had lots of problems with tape.  I'm currently using a Stickman Belt at night (www.kidneystuff.com).  And even though Stickman advertises that no tape is needed, I still find I need to use a small piece or two to ensure my catheter is secured to prevent any tugging.  I had a couple of instances where my catheter got tugged and I ended up with some soreness and discomfort along the tunnel.  I also buy my own paper tape now.  The tape provided by my kidney center is stickier and therefore causes me more problems so I buy Johnson & Johnson's Hurt-Free Paper Tape.  I have almost no problems now with tape burn.

[KT0930]

Thanks guys, I'll check out the websites you've suggested. Currently I use the immobilizers provided through Fresenius. They're cloth tape with a velcro flap so I can loop the cath around and keep it out of the way and only use one piece of tape instead of two or three.

Ken, I'm a little concerned...there are no prices listed on that website you mentioned!! 

[fluffy]

the tape always started to itch after about an hour or so, so i usually just tucked the cath into my jeans never bothered to put a dressing either. laziness 

[Slywalker]

Hi KT - I also am apparently allergic to the tape.  I've been using a small piece of gauze over the exit site and use paper tape.  I place the paper tape in a different position each day so I can give my skin a break.  The belts - which I get from my fresinius folks - while they keep the tubing out of the way during the day I still cover the exit site.  My Doc said I could just leave it uncovered.  And, I thought, when you have a PD catheter hanging out of your tummy, you just let me know when you stop from covering it up!!!   

Good luck

Sandyb

[KT0930]

I haven't covered my exit site since it healed. It's been irritated once or twice, but never infected, and it usually cleared up in a day or two.

I'm annoyed right now because with my order changing from CAPD to CCPD, Fresenius got me confused while I was placing my order and I forgot to order my immobilizers. Now I don't even have those for another month.     

[fluffy]

Hey, KT what's an immobilizer? i've never heard of those before

[KT0930]

An immobilizer is a piece of nylon tape that's about five inches long and has two opposing strips of velcro on it. With the velcro, you can loop the catheter around so it doesn't hang half-way down your leg (or in my case to my ankles). Aside from not being able to really play with the placement much, they work pretty well.

[fluffy]

oh, cool. my pd nurses and my doctor never told me about those. if they had i might have actualy used it

[KT0930]

mine told me b/c my exit site was getting irritated from me not taping my cath up at all. I would use a safety pin to attach a baby sock to my clothes and roll the catheter into that, but there was still the issue of it dangling a bit.

Someone up above mentioned belts that Fresenius offers. I was never told about those, either. Another post someone mentioned a 10' extension hose we can get. Again, it's amazing how much of this stuff we never hear about from the nurses who are supposed to train us and help us make this work into our lives. 

I'm done now.

[Ken Shelmerdine]

Thanks guys, I'll check out the websites you've suggested. Currently I use the immobilizers provided through Fresenius. They're cloth tape with a velcro flap so I can loop the cath around and keep it out of the way and only use one piece of tape instead of two or three.

Ken, I'm a little concerned...there are no prices listed on that website you mentioned!! 

KT you have to phone or email them
Toll Free: 866-607-7433
Phone: 831-626-3344
Fax:: 831-626-3311
Email: info@patientspride.com

Patient's Pride, Inc.
395 Del Monte Ctr., Suite 182
Monterey, CA 93940

They send you a pack with details including price. I've been looking all over the house for the one they sent me. If I find it I'll scan the pages and send them to you.

[Red from Canada]

Hi All,  I have found a great PD Belt that is very comfortable and effective.  Check out www.fstubbs.com/pdbelt.  They are about 43.00 for three and they ship in about 48 hours.

[Slywalker]

The PD belt listed by Red from Canada is the one I got from Fresinius.  I think I am going to ask them about the immobilizers that KT has been using. 
Again, why can't the information come to us from our dialsysis support at the units? 

Oh well - again, another reason to be thankful for this group.

Have a great day everyone.

Sandyb

[KT0930]

Thanks for all the info! I didn't realize I could get them through Fresenius. I think I'll try that one first and if that doesn't work for my, I'll try something else.

[mrhecht]

I'm coming back to PD after 15 years on hemo and am finding out about all sorts of gadgets. My brother-in-law found this site:  www.kidneystuff.com. They sell what's called a tuck-away belt. My brother-in-law has been using for a couple of years and loves them. I got my new catherter yesterday and I'm ordering mine too.

[KT0930]

So I placed my order yesterday with Fresenius and asked for the PD belts and 10' extensions (I'm going on vacation in a couple of weeks, and not sure how far it'll be to the bathroom in the hotel room). They weren't on my prescription, so I had to call my PD nurse to get them added. She had never heard of either one, and was going to check with the other nurse and call me back, but of course they called for my order at 4:25 and the other nurse leaves at 4:30. Ummm, hello? Why do I need a "prescription" for a belt to hold my catheter in place??? What am I, three years old, that I can't figure out that this 20 inch long thing needs to be secured somehow???         

[mrhecht]

Ahem.......excuse the volume here......

MY NEW PD BELT IS HERE! MY NEW PD BELT IS HERE!

Just when i was about to tear my skin off from the itching tape......hallelujah!

They didn't have this stuff when I was on PD 15 years ago.....its the little things that make me happy!

[okarol]

Ahem.......excuse the volume here......

MY NEW PD BELT IS HERE! MY NEW PD BELT IS HERE!

Just when i was about to tear my skin off from the itching tape......hallelujah!

They didn't have this stuff when I was on PD 15 years ago.....its the little things that make me happy!

It's good to see you happy! 

[Wattle]

Ahem.......excuse the volume here......

MY NEW PD BELT IS HERE! MY NEW PD BELT IS HERE!

Just when i was about to tear my skin off from the itching tape......hallelujah!

They didn't have this stuff when I was on PD 15 years ago.....its the little things that make me happy!

Hi mrhecht,

I have a similar belt that was given to me by Fresenius. It has a velcro opening to the pouch and a button closure for the strap. The elastic now is loose enough to wear it tucked into my underwear. I am interested in getting a few more and the ones you recommend look good. In the photos it is hard to see the opening for the catheter, could you try to describe it.

[mrhecht]

Hi mrhecht,

I have a similar belt that was given to me by Fresenius. It has a velcro opening to the pouch and a button closure for the strap. The elastic now is loose enough to wear it tucked into my underwear. I am interested in getting a few more and the ones you recommend look good. In the photos it is hard to see the opening for the catheter, could you try to describe it.

I've seen the Fresenius belt and I like this one much better. I'll try to describe it....the pouch for the catheter is open on BOTH ends. You put the belt on and fasten it thru a plastic 'D' ring with a velcro closure. The velcro is on the outside (not against your skin) and is actualy undercut a little bit on the sides so it doesn't scratch your skin. The pouch itself is kind of oblong, with a slit type opening on both ends so you can coil the catheter in it but you can also slide the cap end out for hook-ups. It easily lays flat, the belt being easily adjusted as tight or loose as you want with the velcro strap. It fits under my "pantalones" and jeans quite nicely!

As a quality note, these belts are hand sewn and finished so neatly. The material is very soft and comes in black or white. I love that I can order it in black....blends nicely with my clothes. I ordered two to start with but will definately order more.




EDITED:  Fixed quote tag error - Goofynina/Admin.

[MiSSis]

I'm using the same PD belts that mrhecht described above.  I've been using them for several years now and I love them.  I only use them at night though.  For during the day, I follow the daily cleaning instructions I was given initially by my PD nurse.  After cleansing with antibacterial soap and then treating with a betadine swab stick, I cover my catheter with a 2x2 drain sponge (it's a 2x2 gauze pad that's been previously slit to accommodate drain lines, etc.) and on top of that I have a 4x4 gauze pad that I secure with a small piece of paper tape.  But the belts are great at night.  Although Stickman Industries  www.kidneystuff.com) advertises that no tape will be needed, I find that I do still need at least a small piece to anchor my catheter to prevent any tugging that might occur during the night.  I just ordered some more belts a couple of months ago so that I'd have more than a 1 week supply.  They launder up nicely and mine have lasted longer than the six months that was mentioned on the website.  I use one a night and don't reuse them until I've washed them so I needed to have more on hand.  One thing I do now that I got as a suggestion from someone else on this site (I don't remember who mentioned this but THANKS!) is that if I'm having any problems with itching, I've taken several of my husband's T-shirts and I've cut slits in them for my catheter to pass through.  I put the belt on top of the T-shirt and then after hooking up, I'll place the tape to secure my catheter directly on the T-shirt.  It's really saved the skin on my belly from a lot of irritation.  Stickman also delivers really quickly.  I highly recommend these belts.

[Wattle]

 

I have finally ordered some of these belts. i thought the new PD members maybe interested.