Hello Jeanne, i’m new to the board, but have been on dialysis CCPD/CAPD for 3 years now. I’m 24 years old and been having kidney problems since i was in 2nd grade.
I hope i’m able to answer a few of your questions, because i remember when i started very well. First i’ll give you a little bit of my stats to understand what i’m doing each day.
During the night, i will do 5 full exchanges on the Cycler machine, first i will drain what i have in first (about 15 mins), then it will fill me with new fluid (about another 15 mins), then it will dwell (rest) for an hour and a 1/2 and then repeat the process. Then, at around 6pm, i will do one CAPD, (I call it a Mid-Day Manual) and let that dwell utill my night time exchange. Now i am able to do the Mid-Day on the Machine, but i don’t really want to be tied to the machine during the day, even though its only about a 1/2 hour, i like to be able to get on the computer and such. So the CAPD is a little more Mobile, more on that later.
I’m am currently on the Fresenius Medical Care Newton Freedom Cycler with the Stay Safe connectors.
- What does it feel like walking around with 2.5 liters of fluid in your tummy. I get nauseus when I’ve had to much liquid to drink, will it feel the same?
The first 2 or 3 exchanges was very nauseating to me, i remember pulling off alot of extra fluid (effluent). But after that, it took a few days, but it mainly felt like extra weight, it didn’t feel like “water weight”. It was a little discomforting, but your body should adjust to it right away. (I’m currently at 3 liters of fluid.
-
Will I be able to lift my new granddaughter? She is 17lbs and growing!
Yes, I have no problem lifing my cousins (ranging from 30-50 lbs), plus not to mention, the solution i have to carry upstairs to my bedroom every coulple of days. (I usually try to bring 3-5 days in at a time, which each day weights bout 20-25 pounds.)
-
One of the reasons I’m less interested in CCPD is that I like to sleep on my sides and tummy, spooning my hubby and vice versus. It seems like CCPD would limit these sleeping styles.
These was one of my big concerns as well. Depending on which side you get your catherter placed, you may still be able to sleep the way your used to. Granted, there still are times when the machine will alarm and tell me theres a kink in the tubing or i’m laying on it. I have a catherter belt and i can still lay on my side and watch tv at the same time, the only thing i’m not able to do is lay on the stomache and sleep.
To sum it up, here are some pros and cons, in my point of view:
CAPD (Manuals) - Pros:
- Sound sleep
- freedom to move about
CONS:
- Must be do an exchange every so many hours
- More chances of infection (each time you hook up to do an exchange, in another chance for infection)
CCPD (Cycler)
PROS
- Will do all or most of your exchanges at night, you days are pretty much what you want to do
- Usually only one hookup, less chance of infection
CONS
- Will wake you up from time to time
- May have to get used to new sleeping arrangements.
This is a really tough choice to make, but if any, you can try them both and see which one really works for you. If you are interested, i could take some pictures of around my house and garage, so give you an idea of how i have things set up and how much room you may need. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask, or email. If you are interested, i have a couple of pamphlets laying around i could scan for you that will give you a little more ideas about how to hook up and stuff.
But remember one thing, PD needs to be very clean and aspetic.