I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: Steve-0 on December 20, 2010, 11:45:15 AM
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Man, my fistula is HUGE. I mean, huge. Mine is located on my right arm - it starts in the crook of my elbow, and goes up my arm from there, you can feel it all the way into my shoulder! Now, I don't use needles in the section in my elbow, and I haven't for the last four years. (I've had it seven years) but that section is just HUGE. The people in my center say it's just because I'm young, active and extremely vascular - they called it a psuedo-aneurysm.... it just looks like one because the vessel is so huge.
I'm just worried it'll become an "aneurysm". My blood flow is perfect on my fistula - I run at 500 all the time, and my pressures are great. What can anyone tell me about fistula aneurysms and such??
~Steve
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You go, man! I hope mine gets like that. I want it to look like I have AA batteries in my arm, and people point and stare. :beer1;
But seriously, bigger is better. Aneurysms come from repeatedly sticking the same close area but not actually making buttonholes. The tissue gets weaker and weaker until it balloons up. Doesn't sound like you're doing that. And the fact you're young and active means you've got a fat healthy fistula that will last a long time.
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If you actually have true pseudo aneurysms on you fistula, it looks like large bulges along an otherwise smooth large vessel. These sites are caused by the needle insertion point being placed too close to the last one over and over. The vessel wall actually changes in it's make-up. It becomes weakened and begins to bulge because of the pressure. You need to try to avoid puncturing the bulges and go for other areas of the fistula for treatments. The pseudo aneurysms are at risk if clotting off the fistula or actually rupturing causing a critical event.
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I was told that a huge fistula could be the results of high blood flow speeds..... and High blood flow speeds create lots of problems with fistual.... seems like people who run high blood flow speeds often have or need more fistulagrams.... clotting problems.... and the fistulas just wear out faster.....
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But seriously, bigger is better.
here here!! :rofl; sorry couldn't help it. dirty mind and such!
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good link and more information.....
http://www.advancedrenaleducation.com/Hemodialysis/AccessComplications/AVFStenosis/tabid/602/Default.aspx