Pd?

Ask Our Experts Dr. Shree Mulay and Josh Dipzinski, PD Experts
1

While I have ckd I am not at the dialysis stage yet, however I am trying to learn what I will be facing. Have been reading about PD and nowhere do I find info on the volume of fluid held in the belly. Any one on the forum care to comment on their experience with PD, i.e. comfort, convenience?

Thanks,
Rich

2

[QUOTE=Richmcgarvey;19119]While I have ckd I am not at the dialysis stage yet, however I am trying to learn what I will be facing. Have been reading about PD and nowhere do I find info on the volume of fluid held in the belly. Any one on the forum care to comment on their experience with PD, i.e. comfort, convenience?

Thanks,
Rich[/QUOTE]

Rich, I was on PD for 13 years. For me, Kidney function and other labwork was used to determine how much fluid was used. Also, it will depend on if you go on CAPD ( approx 4 exchances per day) or CCPD ( nightly on machine). Your Nephrologist should go over all of this before starting.
I was on CAPD and did 4 exchanges per day. I first started out at 2.5L per exchange. Later I was switched to 3L per exchange. I am a very small person 50 kilos and was able to handle the 3L fine. It does take getting used to having all of that fluid if your bell on CAPD.

///MM

3

Rich,
It is very good that you are getting information about the choices of therapy you might need in the future. Your question about the amount of fluid in the belly is a good one. Most adult patients have about 2 liters or about 2 quarts of fluid. Most people feel “full” during the first few times the fluid is in the belly, but many cannot feel much difference even at the beginning. This is because the peritoneal space where the fluid stays is quite flexible. Usually after a few days, people adjust to the fluid in their belly and have no sense of fullness. In a study at our clinic, patients were given 3 different amounts of fluid in their belly and then asked to guess the amount (they were not allowed to see the size of the bag of fluid before), and most of them, regardless of their body size, were not able to guess correctly. In addition, they reported no discomfort even with amounts of fluid larger than they usually used. So I think you do not need to worry about discomfort with the PD fluid. There are several different sizes of fluid bags and the doctors and nurses will help decide which suit each patient best. Hope this helps.
Judy