After having my op to fit a peritoneal tube just over 2 weeks ago, I have just completed the training to prepare me to carry out home dialysis. I will be getting my machine ready this evening, then going to bed, where the dialysis will be carried out for 8 hours, hopefully during most of which time I'll be asleep. Wish me luck.
Yes, certainly loads of luck, Linda. I know people who do this routine very successfully, one whilst carrying out amazing work as a qualified nutritionist and yoga instructor. Sweet dreams!
Nothing but best wishes to you!!
Please let us know how it goes--I'm probably only 6-12 months behind you on this journey although hard to know for sure.
Marj
Hi Marj,
Hope all is well. I remember you posted sometime ago that you are getting on dialysis. Are you on PD or HD? Can you share your experience being on either?
Best,
Andy
I am now a few months into my peritoneal dialysis at home experience. It has not been completely straighforward- the machine I use can be quite noisy, so sleep is not always great. Also, I am now on my third machine since starting at the beginning of October ( various problems led to my having to have replacements). In addition, simply getting used to the routine has taken a while. However, things are fine and I am happy to continue. Any questions?
hi linda, with a gfr of 10 it wont be long before im on home P.D myself, can i ask…how much better do you feel since starting dialysis? ie energy levels etc. thanks in anticipation …Andy. (i do hope you are well)
Hi Andy, I have read that most people feel just fine once they get used to their routine. It’s a learning curve, as with any new ability. I hope that this helps put your mind at ease. Good luck darlin’.
Hi Andy. Sorry it’s taken so long to reply. I got used to peritoneal dialysis and although it was frustrating at times, knowing that I had to prepare every night and always be at home to do it, I saw it as infinitely preferable to hd. At least I was at home and didn’t have to hang about in hospital waiting for my session. Also I had no side effects with pd, so didn’t experience any physical problems. However that’s in the past for me, as, wonderfully, I got a kidney transplant in April. Good luck with your dialysis and if you are on the Transplant Register, I hope you get the call too. Linda
hi linda, can i ask, did you feel much better after statring dialysis. im sbout to commence pd myself and wondered . many thanks in anticipation…Andy
Hi Andy. I didn’t feel at all unwell before I started dialysis, so there was no change in how I felt once I’d was on dialysis. I found the process mostly very straightforward, although there were some issues with the machine setting off an alarm if I moved a certain way. I had a kidney transplant in April 2019, but know that, without the 6 months of dialysis, I would have been much more unwell. Good luck with starting your dialysis. Linda
thank you linda , my gfr is 7 right mow and i dont have many good days so was hoping to feel better once it commences. i do wear ear plugs st might so may have to stop that lol. so pleased you got a transplant, hope your are doing great. i have a telephone appointment next monday from the transplant team( sheffield) , its been nesrly two years in waiting do o hope its a big yes from them. x
I would imagine your system will feel better once your kidneys don’t have to do the work that they can no longer manage. I wish you lots of luck in starting your dialysis. There seems a lot to learn at first, but it becomes second nature quite quickly. And best wishes for your transplant team appointment. I notice that more clinics are opening up again. I hope you get the answer you want Linda
Morning. My father is now entering his second week of PD at home. We are still experiencing quite a few teething problems. His reluctance to consistently take his prescribed laxatives is the main issue at the moment (I think). I have been up until about 4 or 5 a.m. pretty much every night since we started, silencing alarms, checking lines, turning him from side to side, and pressing ‘Stop’ ‘Start’ ‘Stop’ ‘Start’ while watching the fluids fill and drain a couple of ml at a time. My question is…. Now that you have been doing this for a while, is there such a thing as a good night’s sleep? My father is able to sleep through, only waking when I ask him to turn over, but on average, how many times per night do you have to answer an alarm, or make some kind of adjustment? I am happy to do this for my father, but I’m not sure how sustainable it is if I’m only sleeping for 2 or 3 hrs a night. Do you have any advice for a nervous PD novice. Will I ever sleep again, or is this a common, ongoing home dialysis issues?