I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: Adam_W on May 20, 2007, 08:35:35 AM

Title: This stinks
Post by: Adam_W on May 20, 2007, 08:35:35 AM
I guess permanent accesses don't like me. My brand new graft clotted this morning. Fortunately, it's not a complete clot, and it should be able to be fixed with no problem. I go in tomorrow to have it fixed. This is just so annoying, though.  :banghead;

Adam
Title: Re: This stinks
Post by: Joe Paul on May 20, 2007, 08:53:59 AM
Sorry to hear this Adam will keep you in thought and prayer, good luck tomorrow.
Title: Re: This stinks
Post by: okarol on May 20, 2007, 09:30:28 AM
Adam,
Forgive me but I cannot recall - how long ago did you get this graft?
I know sometimes they are used before they fully develop.
I hope things improve, that sounds terribly frustrating!
Title: Re: This stinks
Post by: Adam_W on May 20, 2007, 10:24:51 AM
I got the graft two days ago, and it hasn't been used yet. I just noticed this morning that the thrill was weaker, and more uneven. I listened to the bruit, which was clearly audible without a stethoscope before, and I just heard it get fainter and fainter. I went to the ER since it's Sunday and my vascular surgeon's office is closed, and the doctor could still hear the bruit with his stethoscope. I've just been told to to keep my arm as still as possible and keep it below my heart level to keep the blood flowing (I'm typing this one-handed), and I will go in first thing tomorrow morning to have it de-clotted. I also start my first day of home dialysis training tomorrow, so it will be a hectic day.

Adam
Title: Re: This stinks
Post by: BigSky on May 20, 2007, 10:39:51 AM
Are you on anything to thin out your blood?

After my access was put in I was on blood thinners for a few weeks and then taken off them and then told to take an aspirin everyday to help keep the  blood a bit thinner.
Title: Re: This stinks
Post by: Sluff on May 20, 2007, 12:39:42 PM
I hope it's an easy fix, you have been going through a lot lately. My thoughts are with you tomorrow.
Title: Re: This stinks
Post by: kianhu on May 20, 2007, 12:43:07 PM
I was going to suggest a blood thinner also.  Another question, how is your blood pressure?  If you blood pressure runs low than that can clot you also. 
Title: Re: This stinks
Post by: del on May 20, 2007, 01:02:15 PM
Good luck.  Hope everything gets fixed quickly
Title: Re: This stinks
Post by: Amanda From OZ on May 20, 2007, 01:10:03 PM
That sucks... i hope they can fix it without any dramas.

goodluck.  :thumbup;
Title: Re: This stinks
Post by: Adam_W on May 20, 2007, 01:31:35 PM
Well, the bruit has actually come back a little. Possibly the clot has worked loose a little bit (I'm still very new when it comes to arm accesses, so I don't really know). I'm going to ask the doctor about blood thinners when I see him tomorrow.

Adam
Title: Re: This stinks
Post by: goofynina on May 20, 2007, 02:11:53 PM
Hang in there little buddy, it will get better for you.  :beer1;
Title: Re: This stinks
Post by: Adam_W on May 20, 2007, 04:35:49 PM
OK this is weird, even though I'm not complaining. Both the thrill and the bruit have returned, and are back to normal. Either my graft "un-clotted" itself, or it wasn't a clot at all. Has anyone else experienced something like this? I'm still going to have the doctor look at it tomorrow just to make sure it's alright.

Adam
Title: Re: This stinks
Post by: okarol on May 20, 2007, 06:48:20 PM
That's great Adam, I hope it keeps working! I was going to ask if you have had any Procrit or Epogen lately, as this can
cause an abundance of red blood cell production (which is the purpose of it) but over production can cause clotting.

Have you read this? “Fistula Exercises- Building Your New Vascular Access" -
It can be found at www.tarcweb.org/tarcweb/documents/FistulaExercises.pdf