Travelling with peritoneal dialysis

Dialysis has not kept Michel from travelling across North America and fulfilling his passion for photography.

When he started PD in 2011, on his nephrologist’s recommendation, Michel was first trained on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

Learning PD started with a 3-day training session. Michel says that the learning curve wasn’t too steep and he was comfortable with his dialysis treatment after about 8 weeks. Since then, Michel started using a HomeChoice cycler at night and he does his dialysis treatments between 11 pm and 7 am. Using the cycler during that time affords him more freedom and allows him to dedicate himself to his passions: travel and photography.

Since he started on PD, Michel has been on a cruise that took him from Vancouver to Alaska, and he travelled to Las Vegas and the Magdalen Islands.

“One of life’s pleasures is to travel – it’s wonderful.”

The concept of travelling while on PD might seem intimidating, but Michel and his family were able to overcome the challenges thanks to Baxter’s dialysis team and Travel Program.

In case of problems requiring the help of a professional, the nurses on his dialysis team suggested he communicate with the dialysis clinics near his travelling locations.

Having enough PD solutions and supplies for a longer stay is pretty simple according to Michel.

Baxter’s Travel Program is just a phone call away when he needs help, and the delivery of solutions and supplies is organized ahead of time for him. He gets in touch with the Travel Program 6 to 8 weeks before his trip and recommends to anyone thinking about travelling to contact them well in advance.

Recently, Michel and his family went on a cruise from Vancouver, BC, to Alaska. Baxter’s Travel Program arranged for the delivery of his solutions directly to the cruise ship in Vancouver. When he got there, “all he needed was already there” Michel indicated. Baxter also coordinated a delivery in Alaska, so that he would have everything he needed upon his arrival there.

Michel says he experienced something similar when he went to Las Vegas. He called Baxter’s Travel Program, which arranged and delivered everything on time – with very little effort required on his part.

“Baxter arranged it all and everything went smoothly.”

Peritoneal dialysis has not stopped Michel from enjoying life’s pleasures, like travelling, but he and his family do have a few tips for those wanting to travel while on PD, which they kindly shared with us below.

Michel’s travel tips for those on peritoneal dialysis

• Have a letter from your doctor explaining the nature of your dialysis treatment.
• Check carefully what is covered by your medical insurance during your travels outside of your province or outside Canada.
• Locate in advance a dialysis clinic close to where you’ll be travelling in case you need help.
• Work with a travel agent that can make sure your cycler gets shipped.
• Before a cruise, ask your travel agent to make sure the cruise line can accommodate dialysis cyclers – many of them do, but some don’t.

People who are sharing their experiences here have not been paid by Baxter