I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: iketchum on November 16, 2008, 12:26:02 PM

Title: fistula clotted
Post by: iketchum on November 16, 2008, 12:26:02 PM
my fistula clotted last friday. I noticed it wasnt right when i took the bandaids off that night. I told the center saterday morning and was told nothing was to be done untill monday morning, the would tell me when and where. its sunday night and i have heard nothing. are we supposed to put dialysis on hold untill someone decides to help us? :banghead;
Title: Re: fistula clotted
Post by: willieandwinnie on November 16, 2008, 12:29:56 PM
iketchum, I'd be going to the emergency room. Did you get dialyzed on Friday? I hope you get this resolved quickly. Let us know.  :cuddle;
Title: Re: fistula clotted
Post by: iketchum on November 16, 2008, 12:44:13 PM
i was dialysed friday. they were "challanging" my dry weight. I got really sick to my stomach and then passed out in my chair. they said this is how they find your dry weight. why do i feel like a guinea pig?
Title: Re: fistula clotted
Post by: monrein on November 16, 2008, 12:45:25 PM
I agree with W&W that a problem fistula should be seen as soon as you notice no thrill or bruit.  Any delay only makes a bad situation worse.  As awful a prospect as it is to go to the ER I think I would in the hope that it could be rescued.   :cuddle;  Please let us know how this turns out.  I'm sorry your centre is so inept.

Dropping your dry weight and consequently your BP CAN create problems for a fistula.  Crazy clinic.
Title: Re: fistula clotted
Post by: Rerun on November 16, 2008, 01:30:01 PM
Those "dumb asses".... your blood pressure got too low and you clotted.  My god, I would tell your Nephrologist!!  You can challenge dry weight with out passing out.  If they wait too long to try a declot then you will be looking at revision surgery. 

So sorry this happened to you.    >:(
Title: Re: fistula clotted
Post by: Lucinda on November 16, 2008, 01:55:32 PM
Yep....definitely go to the ER.  The longer you leave it, the less likely they will be able to fix it without doing a revision surgery which means a temporary access and you want to try and avoid that.  My graft has blocked four times - and I am not even using it yet and the first two times it happened I had to have another graft.  But with the last two they got to it really quickly and were unable to unblock it.  Sorry you are having such a bad time. x
Title: Re: fistula clotted
Post by: kitkatz on November 16, 2008, 04:35:53 PM
They told me when I got my graft, if I ever feel it stop working, get me to an emergency room quickly.  You run the risk of a clot breaking off and going who knows where in your system.
Title: Re: fistula clotted
Post by: iketchum on November 18, 2008, 06:49:51 AM
The four hospitals in my area did not have anyone available to look at my fistula. I went to one of the bigger hospitals in Portland monday and they fixed my fistula. even there no one was available on a weekend.
Title: Re: fistula clotted
Post by: lruffner on November 18, 2008, 07:14:00 AM
Umm, I suppose none of these facilities know what "on call" means?? There should always be a vascualr surgeon on call, considering all of the risky vascular problems people have.   :Kit n Stik;
Title: Re: fistula clotted
Post by: iketchum on November 18, 2008, 07:28:03 AM
the center had a dr on call, he called and said "see you monday". I want to be a dr so i can ignore my illness each weekend.
Title: Re: fistula clotted
Post by: lruffner on November 18, 2008, 08:33:45 AM
the center had a dr on call, he called and said "see you monday". I want to be a dr so i can ignore my illness each weekend.

Oh, how thoughtful....buttwipes! I don;t know about anywhere else, but here in KY you can demand a consult with whatever specialist that you need. Some ER's don't like it much, but they cannot refuse, and a speciialist HAS TO COME and SEE YOU. Maybe you can check that out, just in case it happens again. I am never afraid to let any medical professionals know what their job duties are, even if I have to "wing" it. I was probably the most hated/ feared advocate for my mom at the hospitals, but I got so sick of her being neglected and you can bet your ass they get-r-done now!  :rofl;  In saying that, I have a great relationship with most of them, because they know it was all in concern for my mother's life and I am the only one helping her. I probably won't have the inner strength to do the same for myself.