I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: cat on June 16, 2009, 01:21:19 PM

Title: Lump and third buttonhole
Post by: cat on June 16, 2009, 01:21:19 PM
The CNP was in today.  I showed her a noticeable “lump” or bulge in the vein in my arm with the fistula (above where they put the buttonholes).  She didn't seem very concerned – although both my husband and I are.  I thought I ought to see the vascular surgeon who created the fistula; CNP felt that they could just keep an eye on it.  I am still not convinced.  Does that sound right?

However, when she was looking at my arm, she suggested that we start a third buttonhole.  I have never heard of that.  Is that common?  I am not having problems with the buttonholes I have.  CNP said it would be as a backup in case the tech had a problem using one of the other two.  The tech would rotate among the three.  I thought the whole idea of the buttonhole was that you wouldn't have new insertion sites all the time and the two access spots would provide easy entry.  Does having a third access make sense? 

Could these two (lump and third buttonhole) be related?