PD Question

[mikey07840]

I had surgery last week to put in the PD catheter and today the nurse changed the dressing and tested it (a liter in and out, no problem.)

My question now is what the hell do I do to keep the catheter out of my way? Any suggestions? She taped it down and that lasted about 90 minutes.   I put a band aid to tape it to the dressing. Is that OK? 

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Also I am jumbo-petite sized (a very big guy with a big stomach) if that helps.

Thanks!!

Mike 

[KT0930]

mikey, try different types of tape than what she used. I found that paper tape wouldn't stick to me at all, and would be coming off in a matter of minutes. Plastic tape held well, but it was terrible trying to get off! Cloth tape is what I finally found worked really well, and didn't tear up my skin too much. Of course, it may take some trial and error to figure out what works well for your skin. Ask your nurse if she can hook ya up with some samples or ends of rolls so you don't have to pay for the ones that won't work. I would recommend only using the tape temporarily, though. The tape will eventually irritate your skin, and there are a couple of other options.

There are several websites that have various styles of belt for sale for keeping PD catheters out of the way. Google peritoneal dialysis and things related and you should find a couple of them. Best of luck!

[mel75]

Hi, my nurse gives me this stuff called hypafix. it is great it looks like gauze but its thinner and it's tape. and it sticks well.ask your nurse if she can order it for you it is very expensive. anyway good luck I also use the 3inch paper tape it works better than the 1inch.
mel

[MyssAnne]

Well, I would suggest a belt. They have belts now, ask your nurse to get you some, mine did.  Another thing you could do, which I used to do, is kinda loop it then tuck it in my underwear under the waistband.  I hate tape, hated the process of taping it down. 

Now I loop it through the front of my bra, and it hangs down, under my shirt. 

[KICKSTART]

I use Hypafix tape as well , doesnt seem to matter which tape you use none of them are brilliant!

[Wattle]

Firstly, my catheter is anchored with tape then I apply a dressing (primapore) to cover the site. I then roll the catheter up and place it in a belt. I wear it a little too big so that it fits in my underwear. I have found that the belts are the best way for me. I have included a link to the ones I have purchased. They come in different sizes and are generous in size also.

http://www.kidneystuff.com/index2.html

[Slywalker]

I used a PD belt which I got from Fresinius (the supplier of the home supplies).  Also, if you google PD belt there are several sites that come up.  There is one where you give them your specific measurements and they make one special for your body.  I did not end up doing that because the generic one from the home supplier worked okay for me.

Good Luck

Sandyb

   (couldn't resist the cute new bunny thingys)

[Ken Shelmerdine]

Baxters supply me with Micropore  which is like a semi paper semi fabric adhesive backed tape. I use two pieces about 5 inches long. The first piece anchors the tube to my skin just below the dressing. I then curl the remaining length up and round in a letter C shape and use the second piece of tape at the top of the C just before the input and exit valve and secure it to my skin. I find this is the best way for me of keeping it not only secure but out of the way. In fact most of the time I forget it's there.