Just started CAPD

[dlady64]

I have to vent somewhere.  You guys don't even have to listen--I just have to get it out.   

I started CAPD on Wednesday.  First day was OK--aside from the REALLY uncomfortable feeling of fullness.  My prescription is for 2000cc, but I couldn't take a full bag.  My nurse said to just work up to it in the next couple of days.  I felt like I'd suddenly woken up 8 months pregnant.  I've been coming off of some kind of sickness (sore throat, feeling lousy), so that didn't help.  Oh--and I started my period.     So, wasn't feeling so swell, but bearable.

Thursday was fine--again with the horrible fullness, because I was trying to take in more each time.  I finally worked up to 2000 by the end of the day. 

Friday morning--fine.  Waddle around, have small bowl of cereal and several cups of coffee (the heat made my sore throat feel better).  About 3 hours after the first exchange, I started feeling nauseous and more and more full.  I couldn't sit, couldn't lay down, couldn't find a comfortable position.  And increasingly nauseous.  Then--wham-o!  Explosion from one end and vomiting from the other  .

Scared the shit out of me, if you'll pardon the phrase.  My husband called to check on me (I carry a cordless) and I barfed on the handset.  Scared him, too.  He rushes home from work.  Between retches, I worry he'll have an accident.

Called the nurse, did an exchange ( took in 3/4 of bag)--no milky effluent.  Still nausea--no actual vomiting.  Lay down for two hours.

Another exchange (took in 3/4 of bag), no milky effluent, not peritonitis--must be an unlucky coincidence. 

BTW, I can tell when I'm almost done emptying because I get a really bad cramp/pinch.  Very hard to relax and drain while waiting for the sharp stab of pain.  Exchange=stress

Eat peanut butter and crackers.  Manage to keep it down.  Eat chicken noodle soup (low sodium--bleck).  Keep it down.

Another exchange.  This time, when filling, get very sharp pains in my left side.  Similar to stitch in side, but worse.   

Finally lose it and completely break down.     Bawl for 20 minutes.  Seriously consider alternatives to treatment. 

Have been wearing very loose jogging pants.  Can't stand having anything touch my stomach, so switch to gown.

Final exchange, no problems.  Have nightmares of general population being struck with terrible disease and I'm trying to convince my husband that we need an exit plan before we get infected.

I take it back.  I hope someone is reading this.  I need to know if this gets better.  I already know it could be worse and there are people much worse off than me--but right now, it sucks to be me and I need to be able to say that.  I need for it to be ok.

[st789]

Had similiar experience!

It will get better if the dr. figures out the cause of all of this.  Get plenty of rest and take care.

 

[dlady64]

What a relief. 

I have to say that just venting made me feel better.  Today has been infinitely better.  Finally getting over the cold, I think, and wearing a loose dress.  Apparently, I can't stand to have anything around my abdomen right now.  Thought I'd run to the consignment shop and find a couple more dresses--should have just poked my eye with a sharp stick.  Definitely look about 5-6 months pregnant.  Wonder if I'd have better luck shopping in the maternity section? 

[kitkatz]

Sears has a superb pajama section in it. Go for the Hawaiian mumu or house dress area.  I love mine and wear it all of the time at home. 

[KICKSTART]

Yes thats capd for you ! I have done it for 3yrs now. Pregnant look, sorry that wont go away , you will in time get used to the bloated full feeling. I felt like i had swallowed a beer barrel at first , i found it hard to walk upright and meals where a night mare ! Its best to eat little and often at first , in time you will get used to the fluid in your stomach and will be able to eat more normally. I am sick alot still , not sure if thats capd or just kidney failure in general. One other thing you might find ..hate to tell you ..is that when you go to bed you find yourself getting up all through the night to go to the loo !! Clothes wise when at home wear loose elastic waist things and be comfy!

[KT0930]

When I started PD in October of 2006, I found some great Danskin pants at Wal-Mart. They have a drawstring to keep them up, and are very loose. I lived in those and pajama pants for the first six weeks or so of PD (wore the Danskins to work and changed into PJs as soon as I got home). I always had a bit of a belly with PD, but I did get over the full feeling after about a week or so.

I hope the nausea and getting sick was just from the cold or whatever you had going on!

[dlady64]

Just had to to chime back in.

Yes, Virginia...it does get better.  Thanks so much for the feedback, folks.  Yesterday was 180 degrees better.  The secret?  Long, loose gown and skimpy panties.  I apparently can't stand anything on my belly right now--not even the PD belt. 

Probably will go to a consignment shop and see what kind of maternity clothes I can handle psychologically.  Must learn to love the belly.  Hello body image issues.

Many thanks to whomever came up with sticking the end of the catheter in my bra--works like a champ!!  If that's all I get from this message board--I'll consider myself blessed.  However, I suspect there's much more to be learned and, one day maybe, I can help someone else.

So grateful there's somewhere to "talk"...I guess this will have to be my support group, since I can't find one face-to-face in the entire metro area.  I feel paradoxically vulnerable and anonymous using a message board, but I'll take what I can get.

Many thanks.

[MyssAnne]

That was the hard part for me. Body issues. I had been good looking, with a good looking body, and now,
I am belilied and my face is so full.  Oh well. I just wear comfy clothes that look good as well,  I did find that
does make a difference in my morale.

Glad you liked the tip about the tubing in your bra.  To me, that's more comfortable than the belt is.
I just can't stand to have anything around my waist, that I can feel. I even wear a bigger size panties
so I don't have the feeling of the elastic.

Also, for women taking showers...I tuck it under a boobie so it's out of the way when showering.
Obviously it falls down when you wash your hair, but that's easily remedied by tucking it in again!

[kellyt]

I'm glad you're starting to work out the kinks.  Being sick on top of "being sick" is the worst!  For me, it's physical body problems.  On top of the crap I'm going through with my kidneys, I also have a herniated disc in my lower back that would need total reconstruction apparently to fix (it's never just the simplest of solutions for me).  And now all of a sudden my left knee keeps locking whenever I squat or twist it.  It's hellishly painful.  Yesterday it happend when I was getting into my truck.  I had ice on it most all night and some this morning.

What's happening to my body???!!!!!!!!!!?  For God's sake, I'm only 40!!!!!  I keep trying to think back to a time when I might have pissed the Big Guy off.  I can't think of anything!  I thought 2007 was bad, but 2008 is kicking my azz all over the place.  Maybe someone's put a curse on me?  How can I find out? 

[KT0930]

So grateful there's somewhere to "talk"...I guess this will have to be my support group, since I can't find one face-to-face in the entire metro area. I feel paradoxically vulnerable and anonymous using a message board, but I'll take what I can get.

Many thanks.

I know what you're saying about feeling anonymous on an online forum, but I found that as I posted and read more, and got to know the different personalities on here, its just as helpful as I imagine a face-to-face group being. Plus, you don't have to worry about getting to a meeting...you can sit in front of the computer in your robe and PJs and get all the support and understanding you could want.