Automated Peritoneal Dialysis
Automated Peritoneal DialysisTo hear Sharon Erdmann tell it, she has a good life, filled with family and friends. Looking at her, you would neverguess that 3 years ago she was in intensive care after a week of being sick to her stomach.“They finally came back and said we know what the problem is your creatinine is 10. And I said OK? And theysaid well it's supposed to be 1. You are in kidney failure.” – Sharon, PatientSharon needed dialysis. At first, she tried hemodialysis at a clinic 3 times a week - but it just wasn’t for her.“Doing hemodialysis you're really tired afterwards. And at that time I was still working. So I would go tohaemodialysis for the three hours from 5:30 till 8:30 and then I'd go grab some breakfast somewhere and be towork by 10:00 and then I'd work till 4 and get home at 5. It was a 12 hour day and I was dragging.”– Sharon, PatientSo Sharon and her doctor decided to try automated peritoneal dialysis, or APD.“You know I could do it at home, in the comfort of the warmth of my home and my bed and that's that was thebiggest thing for me.” – Sharon, PatientUnlike hemodialysis, where an artificial kidney machine cleans the blood, 3 times a week at a clinic; automatedperitoneal dialysis cleans your blood inside your body at home, every night while you sleep.“Sometimes people like to sleep on certain sides or on their back. So each patient is a little different but mostpatients that do this for long periods of time, which is most people that do it, find a nice comfortable position tobe in. It can be uncomfortable but most people sleep right through the procedure.”– Dr. Aaron Dall Nephrologist/Kidney SpecialistIn Automated Peritoneal Dialysis, the blood is filtered through the lining in your abdomen, called the peritoneum,with the help of a machine, or cycler. A special cleaning solution, dialysate, is emptied into your abdomen through atube near your belly button. Several times a night as you sleep, usually for 7-10 hours, the dialysate slowly removesthe waste products from your blood and the cycler disposes of them.“And after it releases that fluid, it fills your belly up with another amount of fluid.”– Dr. Aaron Dall Nephrologist/Kidney SpecialistThe process of filling and then draining the dialysis fluid is called an exchange. The APD cycler will do severalexchanges while you sleep that last anywhere from about an hour to hour and a half. The number of exchangesdepends on the patient.Page 1 of 2This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCRN1001498 EN AutomatedPeritonealDialysis.pdf© The Wellness NetworkAutomated Peritoneal Dialysis“The only thing you just have to get used to is you have this 25 foot it's like aquarium tubing. It’s not like abig garden hose or anything, you know. And you can roll over in bed and on occasion you might get a kink init if you're laying on it funny and the machine will beep. And so then you know that something's goingwrong and you just roll over and then you're good to go again.” – Sharon, PatientIt’s also important to take good care of your catheter, the tube in your abdomen where you connect the cycler.“It’s keeping it clean, it’s keeping the skin clean around the catheter. We oftentimes have our patients use alittle antibiotic ointment around that area.” – Dr. Aaron Dall Nephrologist/Kidney Specialist“The little known secret, if you will, of dialysis is more is better. And if you could see your way to doing homehemo or home peritoneal, you'll do better.” – Dr. Allan Roza Kidney Transplant Surgeon“It's like brushing your teeth before you go to bed. It's you know you just get used to doing it and it's not abig deal.” – Sharon, PatientIf you think peritoneal dialysis might be right for you, talk to your healthcare team.Page 2 of 2This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCRN1001498 EN AutomatedPeritonealDialysis.pdf© The Wellness Network
© The Wellness Network