Consider with care where you place your catheter!

Discuss your lifestyle and activities with your surgeon before you have your catheter placed. Supporting your catheter is one of the most important aspects of doing PD successfully. Many surgeons will place your catheter where they feel is best, however, this should not be left for them to decide solely. Many of our customers have their catheters in an inconvenient place for them leaving them vulnerable to a negative experience while doing PD. For more detailed information on catheter placement, please see

Parents, is your child crying when draining?

Some people who do PD experience an uncomfortable sensation while draining. Allow me to offer you an explanation for this problem. First, I want you to imagine you are holding an empty cup in your hand.  The cup represents your Peritoneal Cavity (where fluid is stored). Then, imagine the cup is full of water, which represents your PD solution.  Lastly, imagine a straw in the cup, which represents your PD tube. If, using the straw, you suck out all the liquid, and there is no more liquid to drink, you usually hear a slurping noise. While you will not hear any noise while this is happening, you do feel suction, or a pulling sensation, inside your Peritoneal Cavity. This is extremely uncomfortable, and young children and infants generally  are unable to articulate what is happening to them - however, it can be terribly painful.  The way to stop the discomfort is to first stop the drainage, which, in turn, will stop the pulling or pinching immediately.  I often experienced this discomfort when I was doing PD and, depending on where I was in my drain stage, I would either bypass the drain altogether, or I would move around, hoping to tip or move the catheter from the lining of my Peritoneal Cavity. At any rate, for immediate relief, I would always stop the drain  Sheila Shaw

Keep your pets, get a Hepa air filter and CLEAN UP!

Pets do not cause peritonitis. However, their hair, if allowed to accumulate, can cause un-cleanliness, so vacuum, clean up more often and purchase a HEPA air filter. When doing your exchanges, it is a good idea not to have your pets in the same room. Ask your medical professionals to seek out and share success stories with you! It is a scientifically proven fact that when ill people have something to love, they feel better and healthier. There are lots of people currently doing PD that have pets and have not experienced any infections.

Get the facts!

Approximately twenty million Americans (1 in 9 adults) suffer from Chronic Kidney Disease, and another 20 million are at risk. Approximately 20 million Americans have Chronic Kidney Disease and do not know it! Kidney Disease is often known as a  "Silent Killer" - about 32% of all patients treated for kidney failure in the USA are African American.

For more facts, please visit The National Kidney Foundation

Disclaimer:   In no way should Patient's Pride's Resource Center, Tips and the material being referred in it be considered as offering medical advice! The information provided on this Resource Page is for informational purposes only. Never disregard your medical team's advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this resource page or in any of the material referred by it.