I think I am doing it wrong

[MyRenalRomance]

The first thing that occurred to me re cramping was are you remembering to prime the line?  That is, take off the clamps, allow the fluid to run through to a count of 5, then replace the clamps.  My nurses told me that removes air from the lines and would eliminate cramping.  Also, do you heat your dialysate?  The nurses also said cold dialysate could cause cramping (although I gotta admit that I haven't heated my dialysate for 4 years and it's never bothered me).  Some folks could have a more sensitive system than others.

I once had blood in my bag and they never did figure out why.  The doctor came to the conclusion that maybe the end of the catheter had "scraped" the inside of my body and it released a little blood.  Sometimes there simply is no real explanation as to why things happen.

Hope you're feeling better now.

Peleroja has really 2 really great items to always remember:  priming the line and heating your dialysate bag.
Priming the line is super important!
When I was on PD, my bags stayed in their warming blanket longer than was suggested (for manual PD), and on the heating cradle longer than suggested - a suggestion from my PD nurse (for nighttime cycler) b/c  I needed my bags warm.  Semi-warm bags just did not feel as comfortable filling as warm ones.

If you're already doing both . . . ?!

Thinking of you, Kim! Hope all is going better.   

[IUNurse]

Its funny how the easiest solutions escape you, and you are right- definately double check the priming and warming of you dianeal bags.  Peleroja: I have learned a different explanation to bloody bags:  sometimes if you over-do it by lifting or exercising it causes small blood vessels in your peritoneum to burst.  It happened to one of my patients after bowling, another after a day of extreme yard-work outside!