New member here...

[Uptownlifer]

Hello everyone. I'm a 43 year old male from Southern California and my first name is Billie. So what's to tell about myself? When I was 3 , I had a bad urinary tract infection which led to a corrective surgery for an elongated ureter that was kinked and trapping urine- this led to some kidney damage and my parents were told that at some point in my life I would suffer kidney failure. So, here we are forty years later and last September I was taken into the ER by my wife who recognized my symptoms- because I'm a very stubborn guy- I kept telling her I was fine and just needed to sleep a bit because I was tired. But I guess when you've got a history of kidney problems and have been under a nephrologists care for several years, AND suddenly you can't even stand on your own two feet because you're completely exhausted after scrubbing your rear in the shower- something's wrong! So I end up passing out in the ER and when I come to, they're drawing blood and looking for a room to admit me. About an hour later  they come in and take me away to surgery to place a catheter in my chest so they can begin dialyzing me because my blood is so dirty.
So, fast forward to today; I'm adjusting to life on PD. From September to late December I was going to the dialysis unit three days a week for hemodialysis, then I began to be trained for PD that I can do at home. I have a Fresenius cycler machine that I do my PD with, and I hope it gets better, because I'm not sleeping. The machine drains and fills me four times a night and each time the drain cycle begins, I have to sit/stand up or the machine can't get the required amount of fluid out of me- so there have been times when it will just start to fill me and I've still got hundreds of mL's of solution in me which causes a lot of discomfort, not just trying to lay there but even with breathing, my diaphragm can't operate properly because I'm so over filled, I HATE IT. And on nights when the drain/fill goes somewhat well, I still am waking up four times a night to make sure I thoroughly drain- this is starting to take a toll as I'm awake more than I am asleep each night, I HATE IT. But, I'm still happy at least to be alive. I hope this will change soon, from what I'm experiencing, the cycler can't drain me properly if I'm laying in bed...and that sucks.

[Darthvadar]

Hello Billie....

You're very  to IHD....

Sorry to hear of your troubles...

Visit us, and post often... You'll find lots of support, and make some good friends here...

Darth, Moderator....

[Shaks24]

Billie I started PD September of last year. Had problems with draining on the cycler too. Eventually I figured out if I lay on my right side during the drain cycles I drain just fine. If you continue to have problems draining they can do a scan to check the position of the catheter and possibly adjust it. I almost went there then I figured out being on my right side works best. Now I automatically flip to my right side on each drain cycle. The cycler makes certain noises when the drain cycle starts and I guess my brain picks up on that even if I am asleep. It has been going well for me lately. I hope you figure something out so you can get some sleep.

[kristina]

Hello Billie,

... and welcome to IHD.... I do hope you soon find your way to deal with your particular ESRF problems in a more convenient way...

... Unfortunately there is no real "rule" which would fit us all, unfortunately every one  with ESRF has to find their own way of how to deal with this ESRF situation

... because hardly two problems are identical... that is the frustrating point about ESRF... each one is very individual ... and hardly two ESRF problems are similar....
...but the good news is that everyone who really looks and researches for a better way... in how to deal with his/her this particular ESRF...
....and faces and deals with this ESRF disease... sooner or later has a chance to finds his/her very own way of how to deal with this ESRF....
... and makes it easier for him/herself...

Fortunately we correspond on IHD with each other and we exchange our experiences.... often much more superior to what (non ESRF doctors) experience....