peritoneal dialysis mythbusters

so i had my PD catheter placed on october 12th 2007. i need to debunk a few of the myths my doctors told me about this form of treatment

first - when you have a catheter placed - you need to take at least two weeks off. the post pain of this procedure is pretty powerful - and as with most surgeries your body is in a tail spin as to what the fuck is going on...

it also took me a bit of time to accept there was a tube hanging from my belly - this was very hard for me and i don't know why - i have scars all over my body i don't mind at all - i almost show those off - they are my battle scars - but this this was a mountain i had a hard time climbing - i am definitely on the other side now

once you have healed from the cath being placed and you start the manual exchanges - you will need to take more time off - my experience was severe back pain from my body getting used to the extra weight from the 5 pounds of dialysate solution - i was pretty incapacitated for two weeks - then i just woke up and it was gone

be prepared for your apartment or home to become inundated with close to 50 boxes of supplies - along with an IV pole, scale, and blood pressure cuff - your home is transformed into a medic station - this is really alot to get used to

your appetite may feel suppressed since you are now carrying around a belly full of fluid - i found eating smaller meals thru out the day helped - oh and on a positive note i found on hemo i could never quench my thirst - not on PD - i am never thirsty!

if you are in a relationship - this is a lot on that person (to say the least) - and you need to think of them - because it will effect whoever is in the home during this time - communication is key - let everyone vent - this form of treatment is definitely a team effort

for the past 3 weeks i have been working on the cycler - which allows me to dialyize as i sleep - now just so you understand - i was born with renal disease - i am 36 now - i have had two transplants, numerous surgeries for fistula placement, a hip replacement - i mean you name it -
i 've had it - but never in my life have i been more crazed, depressed, angry, frustrated, and pretty much just fucking pissed off since i have started on this machine

i watched a video of using the cycler and there were a few things the video misrepresented - be prepared for your bedroom to turn into a hospital room - the machine is big and rests on a high stand - when shone in the video - it is just the machine on the floor making it look a lot less obtrusive than it really is

your bed needs to be at a height of 26 inches - you will be told between 21-26 - this is wrong - 26 inches is the actual required height

with all of that said - i have to tell you i have seen the light at the end of the tunnel - i have had days i feel so so so good - it is the reason i am persevering thru all this bullshit - it is so i can get to the otherside -

i am writing this because doctors are already on that side - they have no idea what it is like - but they do have your very best interest at heart - so go ahead and jump - but be vocal, be strong - i know once i have accomplished PD dialyses there will be no mountain i can not climb.