My Father is 80, very active, still lives and cares for his own home. My mom is alive and active also. My dad has ESRD, and has been told his kidneys are barely functioning at this point he is weak, short of breath, very swollen, and nauseous. He has an appt next week, I know his Dr wants him to get set up with some type of site. I am a nurse, I worked in dialysis 20 years ago, for a short time. I am going to help my mom with whatever treatment he chooses, but he needs help making the decision. I think he should choose PD. I would like to hear from people undergoing either PD,or RD. How do you feel during the PD. Can you feel it going in? Is it uncomfortable? Can you sleep? How many bags of dialysate go in at a time? So many questions, so little time. Thanks!

Hi,

Please read the responses under "Long Catheter", in the Peritoneal Dialysis Section.

Hi I did read through all the postings, you didn't answer my queston. Are you on PD? Did you ave a bad experience? If it is your posting why not just say so. I know there are risks. I know that there is not one perfect way to deal with this problem. But it is like diabetes, you deal with the curves that life throw's at you. Unfortunatly it is something you have to live with, and make the most of the life you have.I guess I should stop here..............

Hello.

I am the one that posted the "Long Catheter" message. I posted it when I first started PD about three weeks ago. Since then, I have had a total change of heart. I feel much better then I ever did on hemo. The freedom I have now by not being tied down to the center and the hemo schedule is wonderful. My blood pressure has started to go down. I don't have the fluid or diet restrictions that I did on hemo.

I would see if your center has a video concerning PD. Baxter puts out a very informative one. I am very happy that I made the choice to go to PD. I was on hemo for three years and this is much better.

Good Luck!

Sorry...I didn't really answer your questions either.
How do I feel on PD? Great...much better than I did on hemo.
Can I feel it going in? No. As long as the solution is warmed properly you don't even notice it. It may be a bit uncomfortable at first, until you get used to the fluid. That takes about a week to two weeks.
Is it uncomfortable? When you first start, your stomach is tight and you feel bloated. You get used to it though.
Can you sleep? I sleep better now than I have in years.
How many bags of dialysate go in at time? That will depend on your father's presciption. Usually between 2 and 3 liters at a time.

Since your father is active, I would recommend that he do his dialysis at night using a cycler. He will set the machine up before he goes to bed and hook up when he goes to bed. The machine will drain his dialysate and fill him back up, draining him again after his dwell time.

I hope this has been helpful.

Hi Mick, I went to the MD with my dad today. They suggested having a fistula put in by next month, just in case he needs emergency dialysis, but they will put in the PD cath in around 3-4 months his creat was 2.6 I think that is what he said. PD sounds like it takes some getting used to, but I think it will be the best route for him. Thanks for your help, keep us posted on your progress. Sounds like you progressed quite a bit from your first postings!