Living with Peritoneal Dialysis

Life, in motion. Care, in rhythm.

Thrive with Peritoneal Dialysis

Kidney Care, Designed For Real Life

Over time, many people find a rhythm that supports their energy, routines, and the life they want to keep living.There’s no single “right” way to live with PD. What works will evolve — and that’s part of the journey.

Lifestyle & Wellness

Finding Your Rhythm

Living well with PD isn’t about doing everything “right.” It’s about routines that support your energy—especially on the hard days.

  • Balance: Consistency matters more than intensity
  • Sleep: Rest is part of the process
  • Time: Routines get easier with time

A steady truth: Sustainability beats perfection.

MENTAL HEALTH & SUPPORT

Caring for the Whole You

PD affects more than the body — it can shape your thoughts and emotions too. Support creates space to breathe, process, and feel steady again.

Nutrition

Nourishment That Supports You

Nutrition with PD is about steadiness — not eating perfectly. Over time, you’ll learn what supports your comfort and energy. Protein, phosphorus and potassium matters. PD can remove some protein; gentle attention can help support strength and healing. A renal dietitian can help guide nutrition as needs change.

Traveling with PD

Life Can Still Take You Places

Travel may take more planning with PD, but it can still be very possible. With support, many people keep visiting family, taking trips, and doing what matters.

What helps most

  • Coordinate supplies ahead of time
  • Plan around your routine
  • Ask your care team for travel tips
  • Call ahead to learn what support is available

Caregiver Tips | At-Home Support

Presence Matters More Than Perfection

You don’t have to do this perfectly to do it well. Caregiving is demanding and looks different day to day. What matters most is staying connected, responsive, and kind — to them and to yourself.

Ask what helps instead of guessing

Needs change day to day. Asking creates clarity, trust, and less pressure for everyone.

Learn alongside your loved one

You don’t need all the answers — just a willingness to ask, listen, and adapt together.

Protect your own energy too

Caregiving is a marathon. Rest, boundaries, and help make it sustainable.

Kinks, Catheters & Comebacks

A real-life guide to peritoneal dialysis

Practical clarity and real-life guidance – right when you need it most. Get our free guide to peritoneal dialysis – written for patients and caregivers navigating the early days, the hard moments, and everything that comes after.

Inside, you’ll find practical tips, real patient insight, and guidance shaped by lived experience – plus early access to thoughtfully designed solutions that make daily life with PD more manageable.

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Support Beyond Treatment

Thoughtfully designed tools can reduce disruption and make daily routines feel more manageable — so you can focus on living, not managing.

Blog & Resources

PD Life: Tips, Tools & Support

Explore our Blog: Kinks, Catheters & Comebacks

Questions people ask as they adjust to PD

As you adjust to PD, these questions come up often.

Many people continue working, with adjustments that fit their schedule and energy. Talk with your care team about what's realistic for you right now.

Some people explore living donation as part of the transplant process. Becoming a donor is a personal decision that involves medical evaluation, education, and informed consent. Transplant centers provide donors with their own care teams to ensure safety, privacy, and support throughout the process. If you’d like to learn how living donation works and what donors can expect, the American Kidney Fund offers clear, donor-focused information. 

Getting on the transplant list starts with a referral from your nephrologist to a transplant center for an evaluation. This process looks at your overall health, readiness for transplant, and any steps needed to move forward. Your care team can help guide you through the process and timing that’s right for you.
For a clear overview of how transplant listing works, including evaluation steps and what to expect, visit the American Kidney Fund transplant resources. 

Sleep takes time to adjust. Positioning, gentle movement before bed, and a calm routine help. Your care team can suggest tools designed for comfort during treatment.

Yes. Living with PD affects your body and your emotions. Support — whether from your care team, loved ones, or counseling — lightens the load.

Work with your renal dietitian to find what feels sustainable for your body. Nutrition is about steadiness, not rigid rules or perfection.

Yes, with planning. Start small, build confidence, and ask your care team about logistics. PD is designed to support your life.

Still Have Questions?

Still have questions?