I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions) => Topic started by: cath-hater on May 20, 2011, 09:47:18 AM
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I grabbed this off a website and wanted to post it for newbies to this forum who always ask this age old question.
Which is better, peritoneal dialysis (PD) or hemodialysis (HD)?
PD and HD each have pluses and minuses. Which one is better for you will depend on your needs and lifestyle. Your doctor will be able to tell you if you are medically better suited for one treatment or the other. Most often, the choice will be yours.
PD may be a good choice if you want to keep a job because you will have more control over your treatment schedule. PD also makes it easier to travel and allows a more liberal meal plan and fluid limits. There are also no needle sticks with PD. You many also want to consider that PD can cause weight gain and body image issues due to the catheter that must stay in your abdomen. Treatments must be done with good hygiene and good technique to avoid infections, plus you need room to store the supplies.
HD may be a good choice if you want to have off-days without treatment, want to socialize with other patients, or don't want to have a catheter in your abdomen. Swimming is more possible with HD than with PD. Other aspects of HD include a more restricted diet, a more rigid treatment schedule that may conflict with work or school, more physical ups and downs, and two needle sticks at each treatment.
Newer forms of HD, like daily home hemodialysis and nocturnal home hemodialysis (done at night while you sleep) are offered in some areas. Patients who use these new treatments have a less restricted diet and say they feel better; however, there are fewer off-days. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of these dialysis options to find out if they're right for you.
Keep in mind that you can always change treatments if your needs change.