I decided to have a Surgeon look at me

[Ken Shelmerdine]

Joe Paul I've not been on the forum very much for the past two weeks so I've just caught up on this thread. I'm so pleased for you and the fact that you've had PD flushes and not mentioned any problems is looking good. Good luck with the training. Its all very easy to do, even the cycler. As we sometimes say in the UK 'It's a Piece of Piss' meaning easy.

[willieandwinnie]

Sluff, I dont think JP starts training until the 29th. I hope all goes well JP. 

[spacezombie]

Glad to hear everything has been going well in your switch to PD! Let me know if you have any PD questions. I have a lot of PD experience! Five years with only one peritonitis infection, then now another four years with no infections. Back in the old days the PD machine was huge but at least there was space to hold my drink!

[okarol]

  Thinking of you Joe Paul, and hoping you're doing well!

[Joe Paul]

I am doing good, thanks. Today was the "last" day for hemo ( I hope for a long time to come). Tomorrow morning I start training. Got my supplies today, even though I was told how much room it takes, actually seeing them in the room is a whole nother thing. Ah well, its well worth it specially with gasoline  at 3 65 a gallon. I will update more as training progresses, stay tuned.

[willieandwinnie]

Good luck Joe Paul. Keep us posted.

[KT0930]

Good luck, JP, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow! 

[Joe Paul]

Training went well. After watching the DVD the PD nurse gave me, was nothing new. Tomorrow I will do 2 exchanges, with the nurse watching, learn how to change the cath. extension in-case of emergency, then I will be on my own. I did have my wife come along, so she can see how this is done, just in-case something would happen where I need help. The nurse had a training smock, with a PD catheter, and had her do a couple "exchanges" and she did very well. It shouldn't take long for this to become second nature.

[monrein]

Terrific Joe Paul.  It must feel good to finally be at this point.

[Joe Paul]

Did my first exchanges in front of the PD Nurse yesterday, and they went well. She also taught me how to change the transfer set, in-case of emergency. I found I have to lay down to get a good drain. I am a little concerned with the fluid amount I am pulling off, so far its only been 800cc's. My dry weight should be 89.5 kilos, and as of this morning (with PD fluid in me) is 96.8. I have to call the Nurse this morning anyway, as she wants to know how my first treatments went at home, I will be sure to ask her about this. Right now I am using the 4.25 (red) bag & hope it starts pulling some serious fluid. I have no shortness of breath, my BP is 114/69 pulse is 92, and actually don't feel like I am holding that much fluid.

[Sluff]

Hopefully things are fine your numbers look good.  Good for you JP (IHD's favorite pilot.  )

[kimcanada]

JP what would be the reason that your weight is so much lower?

[Joe Paul]

JP what would be the reason that your weight is so much lower?

I called the PD nurse & she said the 4.25 solution should take off the needed fluid. The reason I gained so much is because I haven't been very good at watching my fluid intakes, along with a huge decrease in urine output.

[paris]

Good to read your post Joe Paul.  Hope the fluid situation gets resolved.   You're always in my thoughts

[KT0930]

Glad it's going well for you, JP. As the nurse said, the 4.25 should pull off lots of fluid for you. That's amazing she taught you to change the transfer set, I never was given the option of that!

[okarol]

  Good news JP - happy to hear you're doing PD and it's going ok. Looking forward to more updates!

[Joe Paul]

Glad it's going well for you, JP. As the nurse said, the 4.25 should pull off lots of fluid for you. That's amazing she taught you to change the transfer set, I never was given the option of that!

I did the 4.25% 4 times yesterday & all I was able to get off was a little under 1 kilo, is this normal? When I gain fluid, it all goes to my belly, and, with the solution in there, I have to say it is MISERABLE, feels like I am going to explode!

[Joe Paul]

Glad it's going well for you, JP. As the nurse said, the 4.25 should pull off lots of fluid for you. That's amazing she taught you to change the transfer set, I never was given the option of that!

I did the 4.25% 4 times yesterday & all I was able to get off was a little under 1 kilo, is this normal? When I gain fluid, it all goes to my belly, and, with the solution in there, I have to say it is MISERABLE, feels like I am going to explode!

OK, maybe nobody here knows. Anyway. I was told to do my exchanges for today, go in center tomorrow to have the fluid removed, then Sunday, resume PD.

[xtrememoosetrax]

Sorry to hear of your troubles, JP.  I can't offer any advice, but I am hoping that things get better/easier/smoother very soon.   

[KT0930]

JP, I'm sorry, I never really paid attention to my before and after weights, as I was told to weigh in the morning, and that's it. As long as it was stable, everything was good.

I paid more attention to how many ml's my net UF was for the night (on the cycler). Since you're talking about weight and I'm talking volume, I wouldn't know where to begin converting it. Sorry! 

I think I have heard of this problem from other people who are just starting PD, but I think they said that it stabilizes and all the extra fluid does eventually come off. As for the full, miserable feeling, you'll get used to the PD fluid being in there and you'll feel better.

[Joe Paul]

Thanks Ladies, I appreciate your kind words. Some good news is that I am down to 94.5 (without the solution) from 97.7 (with solution), but still have to go in the morning for a Hemo session.  As you said Katie, the Nurse said sometime it takes time for the Pd to kick in, and she wants to start me from my normal weight, then go from there. Thank God I have a strong heart, and have had no issues with the extra fluid I been carrying, kind of down, but I have faith this will work out. Ive come too far to give up.....

[monrein]

That's so disappointing but I hope it gets sorted out soon.

[kimcanada]

Oh don't give up! From everyone that I have talked to , I can only think of a few people that don't prefer PD... hang in there, (I do love getting all this info before I start mine in a few weeks)

[Red from Canada]

Joe Paul, cheer up and don't give up.  I had a hell of a time for the first month I was on PD. Drain pain and very small quantities of UF.....but it does get better.  I went directly on the cycler and it is amazingly comfortable and easy now.  My catheter did quit after my hip surgery and I am waiting for a minor repair, so am on hemo temporarily.  I can't wait to get back on PD and have my freedom back to travel and have my days free.  Hang in there.  It will improve.

[Joe Paul]

Thanks Red, I feel much better today. I did go in center for a Hemo treatment, in which they were able to pull 6 kilos off. I start my PD routine again today only a half kilo over my dry weight, hopefully that wont be a problem for the solution to pull off.  I will post again later, after my first exchange which should be around 11 am.