New to PD

[Ken Shelmerdine]

(dont know if it was the burp or the fart that did it but it was something massive) 

 

[paris]

Back up a minute----what is this talk about air bubbles?? Why don't they tell you all of this stuff while you are in the process of deciding on PD?  What other fun things don't I know about yet?  Don't hold anything back!   

Thank goodness you are here to guide us through this minefield.   

[MyssAnne]

Air bubbles. Fun and enjoyment.  IF you don't flush the line out, or if you fill yourself up TOO quickly, you can get an air bublble, which usually lodges itself in your shoulder and HURTS.  As Nina so eloquently put it, it's gotta come out somehow!!!

[rookiegirl]

Air bubbles. Fun and enjoyment.  IF you don't flush the line out, or if you fill yourself up TOO quickly, you can get an air bublble, which usually lodges itself in your shoulder and HURTS.  As Nina so eloquently put it, it's gotta come out somehow!!!

I really can't tell what is causing my right side to hurt.  The discomfort feels like a sore muscle down my side.  If I move a certain way it hurts worst or if I breath deep, laugh...  I do CAPD now which I flush my lines real good and I fill real slow.  I turn my port 1/2 way because if I open my port fully, I start to cramp down there.  I have been gassy lately even though I go every day.  Maybe I can take Beano or something.

I took Ms. Gooynina's advice about the prune juice.  I my gosh! I only drank a little and sure enough, I went fast.  I never had prune juice before this.  I wasn't sure how I would react.  Oh boy did I react.  Anyway, I'm still bewildered about why I'm so gassy.  This has never happened to me before.

[MyssAnne]

It sounds more as if you ARE gassy, I have that problem too. I just can't figure out what to do with it, I dont hurt, just um, burp and fart. Sorry.  That's what I do. It can get embarrassing at times. I definitely do NOT have a problem holding anything in. Just the opposite. And I'm still gassy. Ick.

[goofynina]

when i had pains like that (in both shoulder and side on seperate occasions)  they just told me to take Tylenol for the pain.  when you do your drain, try and place your bottom on some pillows so that way the air bubble can roll its way up and out, i could never get it to work but that is what they suggested for me.  Good luck 

[rookiegirl]

I goofed .  This morning when I did my morning exchange, I forgot to put on my mask.  I was the only one in the room.  I did everything right except after the connection, when I reached for my face, no mask.  Oh my gosh!  Should I call my PD Nurse?  Could I have contaminated my set?  I'm so angry with myself right now.  Has anyone goofed before?  What did you do?

HELP!

[Red from Canada]

Not to worry, Rookie Girl.  I don't use the mask unless I have a cold or infection.  As long as your hands are clean, you should be fine.

[highlite36]

You're okay, rookiegirl.  What's good about pd is that you'll notice a difference if you got infected.  Next to that you should be JUST FINE!  Hang in there!

[rookiegirl]

Thanks.  I feel much better now.

I have another question.  It's been exactly 5 weeks since I had my catheter placed.  Last week when I went to the clinic, I was told in a few weeks I can shower.  I'm not sure about this because when I do my daily dressing change, I noticed that my cathetereter goes in and out of my belly.  Is this normal??  I just figured if the cath slips in and out like that it means it's not completely sealed off.  I'm afraid to get it wet if the cath is not sealed completely.  I don't want to get an infection.  There are little scabs around it but not much.  I get so scared when my husband wipes it down with a wet sterile gauze and I see movement.  I guess it's more my belly than my cath.  Is your belly suppose to give like that?  My hubby is really not pressing hard against my belly.  I just don't know.  Maybe I'm healing slower than others.  How long did it take your exit wound to completely close?

[MyssAnne]

Do you mean the tube itself is moving in and out? Where are the cuffs? We have two cuffs on our tubes, to keep them in our belly (they act like velcro). I had a replacement tube put in 3 weeks ago. I took showeres about 2 days after surgery. I was NOT gonna do without!! As long as everything is weiped down with sterilizers (special soaps), then wiped and dried with gauze, the covered, if wanted, you should be fine.

I agree about the mask, unless you have a cold/flu, you should be fine. Be more concerned about your hands. I keep hand cleanser by the cycler so I can always stop and use it before moving to the next step.

[goofynina]

Rookiegirl, i remember i worried about the same thing, the catheter going in and out of my belly, mine still kinda sorta does, 

[rookiegirl]

Do you mean the tube itself is moving in and out? Where are the cuffs? We have two cuffs on our tubes, to keep them in our belly (they act like velcro). I had a replacement tube put in 3 weeks ago. I took showeres about 2 days after surgery. I was NOT gonna do without!! As long as everything is weiped down with sterilizers (special soaps), then wiped and dried with gauze, the covered, if wanted, you should be fine.

MyssAnne,

Are the cuffs internal?  I should have them I guess?  It's not really the tube, it's more like my belly skin around the tube slipping in and out.

As for the "special soap", do you still use it even long after your 6 weeks?  After you take shower, do you use that special soap to clean it completely?  Can I purchase this special soap in a regular store (pharmacy)?  Right now, I have a bottle from what the dialysis clinic gave me.

[rookiegirl]

Rookiegirl, i remember i worried about the same thing, the catheter going in and out of my belly, mine still kinda sorta does, 

Goofynina,

So the skin around your tube still moves?  Do you ever have any discomfort?  How about infection on your exit site?  Reason for so many questions is because since I changed my dressing last night, I woke up this morning with a little discomfort around the site.  I don't think it's infected because it looks normal.  Maybe it's healing?

[goofynina]

I have always had discomfort around the exit site, it is just a sore feeling, i dont know if it is cuz i am removing the scabs from it (with a q-tip) or what its from, but they check it everytime i go in and they say it looks great, i dont cover it at all and i havent covered it for over a year and (knock on wood) so far so good
I push down the skin around the catheter and that leaves a little extra exposed, that is usually how i clean the scabs off of it 

[rookiegirl]

I have always had discomfort around the exit site, it is just a sore feeling, i dont know if it is cuz i am removing the scabs from it (with a q-tip) or what its from, but they check it everytime i go in and they say it looks great, i dont cover it at all and i havent covered it for over a year and (knock on wood) so far so good
I push down the skin around the catheter and that leaves a little extra exposed, that is usually how i clean the scabs off of it 

You mean to tell me even after a year, your site still create scabs?  How come?  You are right, the discomfort I'm feeling is soreness.  How long does it take for the site to completely heal and close?

[goofynina]

Mine has never completely healed and closed, maybe cuz i keep picking off the scabs huh? lol,    but yes, it does still create scabs, if i accidentally bump it too hard or pull on it, there is a little bleeding and then VOILA, ya got a little scab,   No worries, just stick with us kid and you'll be just fine 

[MyssAnne]

I'll be using the special soap til my nurse says I don't have to, probably when it heals. I HAVE been told I can use neosporing around the exit site and cover it with gauze, if it seems to need it. Otherwise, I ussually do as Nina does, and just let be uncovered. You'll figure out what is comfortable for you.

And yes, the exit site can go back and forth, not only in motion, but also with the 'healing' process. It's quite possible to still have scabs after a long period. Just pull them off with a piece of gause or a qtip, then if it seems to need it, some neosporin.

[highlite36]

You should be okay.  It'll move a little bit, but I do know that there are TWO cuffs inside of you that is keeping the tube from slipping out completely.  Maybe you can do what I do.  If you're concerned about tugging and moving, try taking a small piece of tape and taping your tube to your body about an inch from the exit site.  What this will do is prevent any tugging at the site.  If you accidentally tug, it'll tug at the tape rather than at the site.  This will prevent your tube from being pulled too much.  You'll have to change the tape a couple times a week, but it really works well.  It did for me at least.  I've gotta admit, it took my tube a while to heal.  However, when I showered, I just covered it, then cleaned it and spread gentamycin (prescribed cream) on it to prevent infections.  Good luck with it! :-)

[rookiegirl]

However, when I showered, I just covered it, then cleaned it and spread gentamycin (prescribed cream) on it to prevent infections.  Good luck with it! :-)

What did you use to cover your site and along with the extend catheter when you shower?  I really don't feel comfortable about letting it be exposed.  I don't know what to use in order to cover the entire catheter.  Once they give me the O.K. to shower, I would be too scared to get it wet.

[goofynina]

I have never covered it in the shower rookiegirl, you have to clean it with antibacterial soap anyways. 

[angela515]

However, when I showered, I just covered it, then cleaned it and spread gentamycin (prescribed cream) on it to prevent infections.  Good luck with it! :-)

What did you use to cover your site and along with the extend catheter when you shower?  I really don't feel comfortable about letting it be exposed.  I don't know what to use in order to cover the entire catheter.  Once they give me the O.K. to shower, I would be too scared to get it wet.

Your supposed to get it wet... your supposed to clean it with anti-bacterial soap while in the shower, then pat it dry with some gauze or it's own towel.

[MyssAnne]

Yup, what they say. Leave it exposed in the shower, then AFTER the shower, use the antibacterial soap to do some extensive cleansing. From then on, it's what yuo are comfortable with, belting it, taping it, or what I do....sticking it between my bra and letting it fall over so it's loose under my shirt, but controlled.

And yes, there are two cuffs INSIDE you, that act as 'velcro', attaching the tube to your inside so it doesn't come out. That's why I had to do the replacement surgery, it was out one cuff and I was getting infections around the site.

[Wattle]

Your supposed to get it wet... your supposed to clean it with anti-bacterial soap while in the shower, then pat it dry with some gauze or it's own towel.

 I use clean dry face washers as my exit site towels. One use and in the wash it goes.

[rookiegirl]

Thank you all for the advise on the exit site.

I'm currently still changing my dressing on a daily basis until my 6 weeks is up.  I'm hoping in the next week or two I can shower.  I wish I could get my hands on a water proof gauze that is big enough to cover the entire site along with the catheter.