I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: RightSide on October 28, 2009, 03:07:22 PM

Title: Do you shower after dialysis w/ fistula?
Post by: RightSide on October 28, 2009, 03:07:22 PM

I dialyzed with a fistula for the first time last evening.

My tech told me that I can't shower for 12 hours after the dialysis session ends, because the warm water might loosen the scabs and cause me to start bleeding again.  Sure enough, I removed the bandage at 11:30 PM (4 1/2 hours after my dialysis session ended), and I did start bleeding again, though not profusely. 

So how about it?  Do you just skip washing after dialysis w/ fistula and wait till the next morning?

I don't know about you, but I would hate to have to go to sleep still sweaty and smelly.  I've showered just before bedtime since I was a kid.

Title: Re: Do you shower after dialysis w/ fistula?
Post by: RichardMEL on October 28, 2009, 04:52:27 PM

hmmm you could shower with the bandages/dots/tape(whatever they use to seal it) still on I guess. I am a "morning" shower person so I just take the tape and seals off and maybe 10% of the time there's a little bleeding - I wipe it with a alcohol swab and jump in the shower.. by the time I'm done it's stopped bleeding and no issue.

Title: Re: Do you shower after dialysis w/ fistula?
Post by: Melissa on October 28, 2009, 05:42:47 PM

I usually shower after dialysis.
I see you are in Lowell...I am in Boston (Roslindale)....they have these waterproof bandages at CVS and Walgreens - I am out of them now but I will look for them tomorrow and let you know the name - I cover the band-aids/gauze/tape with this and it keeps them dry.
I take the waterproof bandage off after the shower and leave the other stuff on until the morning.
I also have showered without the waterproof things but I do not like the feeling of wet gauze, etc.
Hope this helps! 

Title: Re: Do you shower after dialysis w/ fistula?
Post by: Rerun on October 28, 2009, 07:44:20 PM

I wait the 12 hours because I shower right before I go in. 

Title: Re: Do you shower after dialysis w/ fistula?
Post by: cookie2008 on October 28, 2009, 08:18:06 PM

I shower right after dialysis, I leave my gauze on when Im done I put new gauze on.

Title: Re: Do you shower after dialysis w/ fistula?
Post by: Ken Shelmerdine on October 29, 2009, 08:47:15 AM

I leave the dressings on all night and shower in the morning. If I showered before I went to bed I'd be too wide awake to sleep!

Title: Re: Do you shower after dialysis w/ fistula?
Post by: kamalshah20 on October 29, 2009, 08:48:23 AM

I'm on nocturnal and I remove my gauze about 30 minutes after dialysis. I then spray a little Healex spray which is supposed to be a waterproof spray dressing. I then go for a swim. No problems for the last year and a half with this procedure.

Kamal

Title: Re: Do you shower after dialysis w/ fistula?
Post by: Melissa on October 29, 2009, 04:33:33 PM

Hi Kamal,
Wondering where you get Healex, if you are  in the US?

Title: Re: Do you shower after dialysis w/ fistula?
Post by: kamalshah20 on October 29, 2009, 06:25:53 PM

Hi Melissa,

I live in India. Here it is available in the regular pharmacy. It is an aerosol spray dressing.

Kamal

Title: Re: Do you shower after dialysis w/ fistula?
Post by: sumodidit on November 01, 2009, 11:35:39 PM

it really depends on how I feel. Sometimes I take a shower the night before treatment or right before I go to treatment. There have been some days were I would take a shower later on in the evening after treatment and I would replace the dressing after treatment. Usually I would plan ahead to see what I have to do.

Title: Re: Do you shower after dialysis w/ fistula?
Post by: Wallyz on November 02, 2009, 01:38:28 PM

Quote from: Rerun on October 28, 2009, 07:44:20 PM

I wait the 12 hours because I shower right before I go in.

Ditto.  I have showered afterwards once or twice, but have not experienced significant bleeding.