Tell me more about FIBRIN !

[billybags]

OK, we have blood in urine and now fibrin. Been on APD for 2 years CAPD for 1 year before that. In layman's terms: why do we get fibrin? Nurse has put heparin in overnight bag which cleared it up,  then 2 days later it is back.

[jeannea]

Wow. I thought someone would know the answer. I wish I could tell you. It does seem to me that some people have this problem and some never do. What is different about our bodies that does this? Can you get heparin to use more often since you do have the problem?

Hopefully someone knows more than me. I am lucky enough so far not to have that problem on my cycler.

[billybags]

 jeannea this is the first time in 2 years that hubby has had this, he's on the cycler. The nurse put heparin in a bag last week and it did clear it for a couple of days but it is back again to-day. Phoned her up and she says they don't like using heparin more than once a week so she will see us Monday.Hope it clears it self up.

[looneytunes]

BB..when we were doing PD, our nurse said that fibrin was like dead tissue that had sloughed off the walls of the peritoneum and not to worry about it.  There were times there was quite a bit of fibrin in the drain bag and other times it was clear.  The only time it was a problem was when it got into the PD catheter and she had to clean it out.  Hope that helps! 

[Annig83]

HI!
As my nurse explained it to me, and with a little help from the internet, I've discovered that fibrin, is a protein-based agent that aides in the clotting process.  In other words, it helps close up a wound.  Some people make more than others; ME!  When I first got my catheter placed for CCPD, I had so much fibrin, that it got clogged and they had to remove that cath. and put in a new one on the other side!  The nurse just told me that because the cath. is a foreign object some people's bodies produce more to try and "close the wound" or "cusp" in the belly.  Using Heparin, breaks up the protein and clotting process so that the fluid can run more freely though the cath.

Hope that helped a bit??