Swimming solutions for PD

[Dave86]

Sorry if this has been covered. Tried searching but couldn't find something exactly related to my question.
I am on PD and allowed to swim in pools, (not ocean or lakes, though) For those on PD who go swimming: What have you found to be the best way to secure your catheter. I have gone twice this summer using 3M durapore tape I get from my center. It holds better than I though it would, but I had to keep reapplying sections every hour or so. This kind of got frustrating. Swimming is a huge love of mine, and I'm not going to let the cath hold me back. Any suggestions? Im wondering if a belt or pouch thingy would work.

[Hanify]

I think most people here aren't allowed in pools but are allowed in the sea Dave, so that's weird.  If I swim (or occasionally have a naughty bath) I use a couple of 'tegaderm' things.  It's a waterproof cover, and if I put two on I can cover the whole catheter.  I've found in cold water that there is no leakage whatsoever.  Still am not allowed in a spa or hot pool though - boo!

[Savemeimdtba]

I just use a regular 4x4 island dressing and change it when I am finished.. it gets completely soaked but.. it stays on? lol I also use that in the shower - haven't had any problems yet.  And, yes it is weird you can swim in pools... not just private pools?

[djgaryb11]

I have been told that I can swim in the ocean and also a well maintained private pool.....I can't go into lakes or rivers, and also no hot tubs.....I am going to be going on vacation in 2 weeks to the Florida Keys and Key West, and I also have been looking into what would be best for securing my catheter.....I recently got some "Nexcare  Absolute Waterproof tape" , and after trying it out in the shower...it seems to do a really good job....So I am gonna give that a try...my PD nurse said i don't have to cover up the exit site with anything when swimming, just make sure i do my exit site care as soon as possible after I am done with swimming.

[hurlock1]

They told me not to swim, not to take showers. not to get it wet. So, I didn't. going swimming isn't necessary unless you get shipwrecked on a cruise and going on a cruise isn't necessary. It isn't a question of "What can I get away with?" Just don't go swimming. Hot tubs aren't all they're trumped up to be. You just sit there. . . No matter how well maintained pools and hot tubs are there are some people that pee in them, 24 hr. a day people lose skin flakes and the come off in the pool. a perfect breeding ground   for germs. and chlorine is the only preventative. Chlorine isn't all that good for you. Why take risks?
jmz

[willowtreewren]

James,
We each have to look at quality of life from an individual perspective. For some, swimming or showering may not be that critical to quality of life. For others, those components may be deal breakers. If someone looked me in the eye today and said that I would never, ever be allowed to swim again, that might be the tipping point in my depression that would lead to ending it all.

We are all so very different, both inside and out, that it isn't very helpful to making sweeping value judgments.

Each of us has to weigh the risks of ANY behavior, whether related to renal failure or not, against the possible personal benefits.

[Savemeimdtba]

James.. are you sure you're not talking about a perma-cath?  I've never heard of anyone not being able to take a shower with PD.. you're not supposed to take a bath - so what would you do?

[Hanify]

I have no problem with there being a rule about not swimming or whatever, what bothers me is that only some people are told not to.  If a vast majority of us are swimming and showering with absolutely no bad effects, why are some people told not to?  I don't think we have to just do it cos we're told to.  I think the beauty of IHD is that we can find out what we're all doing and, as Aleta said, weigh up the pro's and cons.  I know that I would be in Aleta's pool the second I got there - damn the rules.

[bette1]

I hate to be negative, but I would not reccomend swimming with a pd catheter.  I went swimming in a community pool and caught a nasty exit site infection, and lost my catheter.  The only exception I would think would be allowable is if you had your own pool and you could be sure that it is maintained properly.  I don't know if it's really worth the risk.

[Hanify]

Oh - no I wouldn't go in a community pool.  Only the sea and private pool - like Aleta's.  I'm planning for my next trip to wherever Aleta lives - I'm so jealous of her pool. lol

[Savemeimdtba]

Oh no... community pools are forbidden, one of the worst places you could go.  We're only allowed in private pools that we know are maintained properly.. I also refuse to swim with anyone else and I won't stay in longer than 10 minutes.. just because I worry a lot. 

[Dave86]

I have only been swimming in private pools as well; should have made that more clear on my original post, sorry. I am going to look into the Nexcare Absolute Waterproof Tape. Hope it's a winner.
Also, I was told that I could not swim in the ocean with the pd cath, yet it seems that many others are allowed to do so, why does there seem to be this difference in allowances? I mean is the risk of swimming in the ocean any greater than swimming in a private pool with multiple people?

[TiffanyJean]

So our doc has put it this way - swimming in any body of water is putting your self at undo risk for infections. he said that there is some sort of bacteria in the ocean water here, that if it gets into the blood stream is really hard to treat (it is treatable, just takes a very aggressive treatment needed). swimming in a pool he said was a better idea than the ocean, but that its not a great idea, because of the risks of infection.

richie just says 'not worth the risk' why chance it, unless he has to. we go sailing and so if for some reason we suddenly had to jump ship, he would then swim to shore and probably really enjoy it!

TJ