still a few teething problems with pd

[AL. UK]

Thanks to all who answered me regarding the pain at the end of a draining bag.I have discovered this happens when I try to drain when there is only a drip coming out. At the moment I use 5 bags daily but hope to go on to the nightly bag exchanges.
The other problem i am having is trying to balance my diabetes as there is glucose in the bags.Did anyone else discover that they had to increase their insulin by quite a bit to keep low levels of sugar. Any suggestions???
I am looking for an iv pole like the kind in hospital to hold the exchange bag.Does anyone know where i could buy one in the UK.(Plenty for sale in the USA on the inter net but nothing in the UK.
All suggestions welcome!!!!!

[Tplant2002]

Hey AL - hope u are getting on OK with the PD , i was on it for 3 years in various forms. I also had the pain at the end of a drain , had to leave 50ml or so in at the end. I was on the long term bags most of the time - 1 xchange morning , special bag in ALL day ( had to , to keep working ) , and then xchanges tea time and night.

I managed to , er , borrow a couple of stands off the hospital , but I used to do PD everywhere , so bought a couple of hooks that slip on top of doors from B+Q , had them with me all the time.

I also finaly got onto the nightly APD but didnt have much luck on it - but persevered if only to make work easier.

any questions drop me a line

[Hal]

Hi Al,

I think most people get the pain right at the end, because your pulling at nothing. I was told as soon as you feel the pulling pain, clamp yourself off - you don't need to get every single drop out, it will make no difference to your dialysis and your only talking about a few mls.

Regards,

Hal

[R30]

Hi Al
I too experience pain when at the end of draining. My renal nurse had told me to clamp off when this pain occurs (it is the peritoneum sucking up due to a vacuum inside the abdominal cavity). At the first sign of this pain, use your clamp. Alternatively, I have found that if I exercise for about five minutes before I start my drain, this seems to have a positive effect in that I feel no such pain at the end of draining - it does depend, however, on how many times you feel you can run up and downstairs!
With regard to absorbing the glucose from your bags, I think I read somewhere that Icodextrin is the fluid of choice for insulin-dependent diabetes. Try talking this over with your renal unit. It may, of course, be that they are already using a low glucose solution and that you are still absorbing some...
Ruth

[amanda in CA]

My husband used to work in the broadcasting industry and the first time that I did CAPD I used to use a microphone stand - could try contacting the BBC or local radio station and appealing to them. I also used to use suction hooks, the ones that attach to a surface by raising the hook to make the suction. I used to attach them to smooth surfaces such as mirrors or windows. Failing that a coat hanger over the door also did the trick but that can make you feel a bit 'hung up'. amanda

[gary in bc]

Hi
I know I'm a little late on this one, so I hope you find it. I use a collapsable camera tripod. You need to take some of the handles off, but it works great for travel. I have a normal heating pad, and plug it in on low into a 12 volt inverter when I'm traveling in my truck or out at the cottage (not electricity, only solar). I have a back-pack set up with everything I need. I can go anywhere. It is totally portable. This way I can dialyize at work, on the road, wherever I need to.
I used to have pain at the end of the drain, but now when it happens I just close the valve a little.
Good Luck
gary

[JMan]

Also a little late contributing to this one, but a LOT of patients don't bother with drip stand as such. Screw hooks into your 'own' premises and door or picture rail hooks for travelling, or make your own from very stiff wire (round the ends off or cap them to prevent the risk of piercing bags), failing that, trees, picture hooks (remove the picture first ) and car coat hooks make greatstands at a pinch for manual PD when out and about.

[R30]

I have twisted a coat hanger so that it hands upside down from the top of any door. I hook my bag over the hook at the bottom and viola! I have taken one to work (as I can't be bothered to pay for actual hooks....) and carry one in my car - just in case.
Ruth

[soshin]

Does anyone know what <degradation> refers to in <low-glucose degradation> PD solutions?

[wagolynn]

This may help you. http://www.advancesinpd.com/adv07/313Di ... 0pp132.pdf