Brief Answer: no you can't Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for writing to HCM. Its not at all advisible to get a PD procedure now, to be used a year later. It might get blocked without use and it will act as a source of infection. I couldn't understand the second part of your question. Is your serum potassium and pH normal at present and you want to know how to maintain it at that level or they are not normal at present? Because if they are not normal at present then you need to correct them, and that will require hospital admission. Waiting for your reply. Regards Dr. Ashish Verma

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Brief Answer: see below Detailed Answer: Hi, Potassium is found in many food groups, including fruits and vegetables. Choosing the right item from each food group can help control your potassium levels. When eating fruits: Choose peaches, grapes, pears, cherries, apples, berries, pineapple, plums, tangerines, and watermelon Limit or avoid oranges and orange juice, nectarines, Kiwis, raisins or other dried fruit, bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew, prunes, and nectarines. When eating vegetables: Choose broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, eggplant, green and wax beans, lettuce, onion, peppers, watercress, zucchini, and yellow squash Limit or avoid asparagus, avocado, potatoes, tomatoes or tomato sauce, winter squash, pumpkin, avocado, and cooked spinach. Also you need to restrict your protein intake till the time you start dialysis. Once the dialysis is started you need to increase your protein intake. If you are not overweight or diabetes, you can take more of carbohydrates as they are good source of energy. Eat whole grains, fruits and vegetables, bread, oats as they are also rich in fibers and will help in regular bowel movements. Also you need to restrict phosphorous in your diet by reducing intake to dairy products. If you will follow the above, your pH will automatically remain normal. Complications of getting fistula in the arm for hemodialysis are many like its block by a clot, pulmonary edema, rupture of the fistula, aneurysm formation, infection, lymphedema, stenosis and congestive heart failure. All these complications increse with the age and duration of the fistula. Complications with peritoneal dialysis are less and are mainly infection and adhesions. But its still not advisible to get one done a year prior. Its a simple procedure and can be done easily before the start of the dialysis. Regards Dr. Ashish Verma

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