Manual PD Questions

[shayron1982]

Hello. I am new here & new to dialysis & have alot of questions. I started on the Baxter HomeChoicePro on Feb 1, 2013...everything worked fine, but when it drained I felt as if I was in labor? A CT Scan showed the cath sitting on top of my uterus so the surgeon went in to adjust it this past Monday. When I tried to dialize after the surgery not only was the pain still there, now all the fluid will not drain out? I am changing to manual PD for a while until we resolve the issues, and I am curious to hear peoples opinions of manual & how it worked for them. Any comments will be much appreciated, I am feeling pretty alone at this point.

[amanda100wilson]

I CAPD for 18 months years ago, in the UK when the cycles were not readily available.  It is pretty easy to fit into your life as long as you realize that you have a little bit of leeway for doing exchanges and not just take the attitude that it has to be done right on the dot.  I completed the first year of a full-time degree while on CAPD before I had my transplant.  I used to travel into London by tube and I would just take a bag into Uni. With me.  I would go to the first aid rom at lunch time to do the exchange.  I also used to do exchanges in my car while traveling; I would just park down the far end of a car park so that I would not be an object of curiosity for others.  Would stick the bag on the roof of the car to get enough height to drain fluid in easily.  Even went on a geology field trip and did an exchange while out in the field.

[jeannea]

I did the cycler and only did manual occasionally. Be patient as manuals take a little getting used to. Take the time to warm your bags. Make sure you prime the line before you start. If you feel you're not draining right, stand up and move around until it works. Keep your hands and connections very clean just like you did with the cycler.

The pain sounds awful. Hopefully they will fix things for you.