We have been doing a lot of research into alternatives to the hemo-dialysis that Dave is currently doing three times a week. While Peritoneal dialysis is not necessarily new, it is not usually the first course that most nephrologists will take with their patients in kidney failure. So he has done the hemo-dialysis now for several months, and it is really difficult to have any kind of normal life three days a week! Poor guy is exhausted the whole day afterwards, and then still has to try to work either while being hooked up to the machine or when he finally gets home.
From what I have read, Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is often used by younger people who do work or who still lead fairly active lifestyles, that is us...for sure!!
It is done through an exchange between fluid (dialysis solution) placed in the peritoneum (abdomen area) and the blood barrier that is in the abdomen. It works through diffusion...the waste products from the blood are pulled into the solution and then the fluid is emptied by the patient every 4 -6 hours.
It sounds like a very promising alternative! We will begin talking to the doctors at the dialysis center this week, and getting their opinion on whether or not Dave is a good candidate.
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