PD Curious

[G-Ma]

All weekend I have read all the threads including info about PD.  I have never been examined to see if I could do PD, just was "told" I couldn't due to surgery where they cut from navel up about 8 inches to redo the hateful gastric bypass I had, had to redo due to 5 bleeding ulcers...I really think this is what started the kidney landslide..but that's just me. 
Anyway, Please, those of you on PD, how long have you been on, what seems to be the length of time to use PD, did any of you have open surgeries prior to the PD?  I'm looking for any and all answers so I can get started on home hemo of some kind.  They may deny me the NXStage because I don't have an adult to go to training with me so I want to be ready with the next step request.  Thanks for any help.
Ann

[KICKSTART]

I have been on PD for over 4 years now, but i hadnt had any operations prior to this , so i cant be of much help there sorry. There are no hard and fast rules on how long you can do PD . Every year you do a PET test , which shows how well your dialysis is going , the only thing that governs your PD is how long your peritoneum lasts , the stronger the fluids , the more damage it does and thats when PD stops.

[peleroja]

I've been on PD 5 years, and had a hysterectomy many years ago, but that was the only abdominal surgery.  Was it your neph or the surgeon who told you that you couldn't do PD?  For example, my surgeon told me that "usual" PD where the exit site is in your abdomen wasn't for me, but he could do a presternal catheter, where my exit site is in my chest.  Since everything was done laparascopically (spelling?), it worked out fine.  Unlike Kickstart, I don't do a PET every year, but I do an Adequest every 4 months (no blood draw involved, just collect my urine for 24 hours, and a sample of either each exchange, or the whole exchange if on cycler).  Hope thast helps!

[G-Ma]

thank you both  It was a neph who said I wouldn't be able to do PD.  Today was crazy monday at the clinic so I didn't get to talk to anyone, also no answer on NX Stage yet.

[IUNurse]

Hello Ann, over the past six months or so I am learning that PD may work more than you think.  I have two patients who have had gastric bypass and both are doing well.  I would say get them to let you try- if PD doesn't work you can always go back to hemo.

[G-Ma]

thank you, I'm going to check.

[Joe Paul]

You may have read about my trying PD, and it not working because of my surgeries ( umbilical hernias) and the fluid wicking back through the mesh into my system. My Neph and nurses were sure they could have found a way for PD to work, but it was purely my decision to go back to Hemo, I was worried that  until they found the answer, the fluid gains would have hurt my chances for transplant. I say you never know until you try and that PD does you give more freedom compared to in center Hemo treatments. My advice would be to give it a try and see how it goes for you.

[G-Ma]

Thanks Joe Paul.  I now don't know what to do.  I have a feeling blood is not being cleaned well thru my new fistula, started using it last week Monday and I am feeling progressively worse again, like when the Gortex started failing.  Very tired, not able to focus, shakey, skin crawling slightly and on.  I talked to Davita and they will do a run today using the catheter which thankfully is still in place and then see what to do...the cath has always worked fine and now I feel like CR_ _...and like a guinny pig.  I am beyond tired of this mess.