I'M LEAKING!

[Adam_W]

So, I was getting ready to do my last exchange of the day, and I discovered that my entire "dude area" was swelling up like a bloody baseball! There is no pain, just a "tight" feeling, but it scared the hell out of me. I called my nurse (thank the Lord for 24hr support), and she said for me to not do any exchanges for at least 24hrs, then I will probably have to do more frequent, low volume exchanges for a while (which sucks because I'm already doing five exchanges per day). She wants me to come into the centre tomorrow as well so she can look at it (which embarrasses me considering where it is). Has anyone experienced this? Are there any serious complications from leaking, such as losing the catheter? Now I'm afraid.

Adam

[okarol]

My son had fluid collect in that area when he was little. Turned out to be a hernia. I found this:
The extra pressure of fluid in the belly can cause or reveal a hernia— a weak spot in the muscle of the abdomen or groin. In men, this can show up as PD fluid that leaks into the scrotum (inguinal hernia). A minor repair surgery using special mesh to make the muscle stronger can fix this problem.

(from http://www.homedialysis.org/resources/tom/200608/ PD catheter placement: What to expect

[circleNthedrain]

I was on PD many years ago.  I once had the same problem you are describing.  No pain, but looked like i was smuggling a cantaloupe in my pants!  I stopped PD and went back to Hemo (still had my fistula) for about 3 weeks to let the leak 'heal'.  No problems after that.  I don't know what caused it but it never returned.  Hope yours goes away as easily.

[Sluff]

Hey leaker,

Hope you get it checked soon and find it not real serious. Keep us updated. 

[Joe Paul]

Good luck Adam, leaks suck - thats why I gave up.

[twirl]

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
and I love your dog's photo
what a clown
wish I could hug him
please do not be afraid
and do not be embarrassed

[Adam_W]

I went back to doing low volume exchanges (1L instead of 2L) and all went well during the day, but I was doing my next to last exchange of the day, I noticed the swelling coming back  I'm going to be dry again today, and I'll go in tomorrow for a hemo treatment (now I wish my NxStage was still here), and I'm probably going to have X-rays done. It's looking more like I have a hernia, which really sucks. Ugh, I hope I don't lose my ability to do PD.

Adam