Dialysis Catheter and Extreme Rides

[snoope]

I will be taking my 68 year old aunt to Disney world and Universal Studios next week. We are vacationing there for two weeks from Canada. This will be her first trip since requiring dialysis 3 times a week. My questions are this: she has the dialysis that has the catheter in her neck. Is there any concern for her to go on extreme rides? Can it be crushed, moved, or dislodged from shoulder restraint pressure, going upside down or jerky movements? She loved these rides before, but her sisters think it's not a good idea. Additionally, her doctor has suggested she only go for dialysis twice a week for the two weeks while she is away. She normally goes three times per week. The doctor said it would make her trip more enjoyable. I'm not too sure what to think. She has appointments in the clinic in Celebration.

I'm just nervous about this whole thing. I want her to have a great time but be safe as well. If anyone has words of wisdom, or advice, suggestions, even on some issues I may not have thought of, please chime in. Also, criticism from the davita clinic is celebration is welcome. I want to have peace of mind with whatever decisions we make. Thanks.

 

[Talking Hands]

I will be taking my 68 year old aunt to Disney world and Universal Studios next week. We are vacationing there for two weeks from Canada. This will be her first trip since requiring dialysis 3 times a week. My questions are this: she has the dialysis that has the catheter in her neck. Is there any concern for her to go on extreme rides? Can it be crushed, moved, or dislodged from shoulder restraint pressure, going upside down or jerky movements? She loved these rides before, but her sisters think it's not a good idea. Additionally, her doctor has suggested she only go for dialysis twice a week for the two weeks while she is away. She normally goes three times per week. The doctor said it would make her trip more enjoyable. I'm not too sure what to think. She has appointments in the clinic in Celebration.

I'm just nervous about this whole thing. I want her to have a great time but be safe as well. If anyone has words of wisdom, or advice, suggestions, even on some issues I may not have thought of, please chime in. Also, criticism from the davita clinic is celebration is welcome. I want to have peace of mind with whatever decisions we make. Thanks.

I would speak with her doctor about the extreme rides and if she can safely ride them. Dislodging the catheter is a very serious situation and would not take any chances with restraints that are placed near it. Just too risky.

 

[Mrsjvb]

I bet her doctor would tell her to avid the extreme rides. catheters can be dislodged very easily. any jostling can ruin her day..and perhaps the entire trip.

 

[amykathleen2005]

She could wrap her shoulder area is an ace bandage (not too tightly) if she would like to make it more secure. I wouldn't go on any crazy rides with it on.

Also I have rarely heard of a doctor telling someone to skip dialysis. Unless you are sure her labs are usually good and that she can have a very careful diet during the trip I wouldn't skip. Although perhaps they just couldn't get her in 3 times at the clinic.

 

[delanemc1]

I am a dialysis nurse. How r her labs and how much fluid does she usually gain between dialysis treatments? The doctor must have had a good reason to have her only do 2 treatments a week while she is vacationing. There are some patients that only do 2 treatments per week all the time. Also does she still urinate? If she does did he increase her diuretics do to the fact he is decreasing her treatments? Hope she has a good time on vacation. I see what these patients go through on a daily basis and it makes he so happy when they get to travel. It makes them feel more normal again. I speak this from being not only a dialysis nurse but also a daughter of a dialysis patient!

 

[delanemc1]

Oh and about her catheter. Make sure it is secured good. I would avoid anything that could cause it to become dislodged. If that happens then it will be a hospital trip for a new cath before she can get any treatments. That would cut into the vacation time !