I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: Adam_W on November 14, 2011, 11:01:58 PM

Title: I finally have to have my graft worked on.
Post by: Adam_W on November 14, 2011, 11:01:58 PM
I got my current graft about two years ago, and until recently it has performed very well. The last few weeks though, I have been having problems with getting good blood flow. Today I was only able to run at 350 blood flow rate, when I normally run 450. I'll be going in for a fistulagram on Thur. Fistulagrams are nothing new to me, but I haven't had one in several years. My last graft lasted three years, and I hope this one lasts as long.
Title: Re: I finally have to have my graft worked on.
Post by: MooseMom on November 14, 2011, 11:04:33 PM
I've been a member of IHD for a while now, yet I have to admit that I don't know exactly what happens during a fistulagram.  Would you mind explaining it to me?

After your appt on Thurs, will they immediately tell you what the problem is, and will they be able to fix it right then and there?  Sorry...my ignorance is showing!
Title: Re: I finally have to have my graft worked on.
Post by: Adam_W on November 15, 2011, 01:35:42 PM
Quote from: MooseMom on November 14, 2011, 11:04:33 PM
I've been a member of IHD for a while now, yet I have to admit that I don't know exactly what happens during a fistulagram.  Would you mind explaining it to me?

After your appt on Thurs, will they immediately tell you what the problem is, and will they be able to fix it right then and there?  Sorry...my ignorance is showing!

Basically they run a contrast dye through the access so they can use an X-ray machine to see the inside of it and see if there is any narrowing of the access. If there is, they run a balloon through the access and inflate it to open up the narrowing. I should notice an immediate improvement the next time I dialyze.