Fistula buttonhole worries...

[Rivy]

Hello! I'm really new to this site, however not new to hemodialysis.  That is being on dialysis machine for two and a half years(how time flies by).  My question is that I just started to do buttonholes two weeks ago and I have some concerns about doing it.   I feel that everytime my tech is inserting the sharp needles they seem to hurt more than they did at first.  I just wonder if she is sticking at the same ancle or spot since I thought that when you have been processing on buttonholes to get that tunel the pain is much lighter on your arm.   The time I'm doing my treatment it seems to hurt at times.   When my treatment is over and it is time to pull out the needles one of the buttonhole positions hurts like hell!  It stays hurting over the night.   I'm fine the next day though.  Now, is the process of having your buttonholes establish suppost to hurt that much?  It is, I'm scaried when they start using the blunt needle on my. 

Thanks for taking the time out to read this,
Sincecely,
Rivy

Edited: Fixed spelling error in subject line - Boxman, Moderator

[boxman55]

Rivy, I can't help with your question because I don't do buttonhole. I do know that when starting out it is a good idea to have the same nurse insert the needles so it develops properly...Boxman

[del]

Hubby ha been doing buttonholes for 2 years now.  He didn't have any pain like that.  Have you told the nurses and your neph???  His buttonholes are completely painless now.

[Rivy]

Thank you for the replies.  I forgot to mention that it is the same nurse.  I'm going to let my nerph know about it and have her check.  I'm going in on Wed. and well see if it hurts again and if it does I'm going to tell the tech that it shouldn't hurt as much.  I'll give her a change at this since it's I'm her first. 

Have a wonderful night!
Rivy

[monrein]

Rivy, would you ever consider doing your own sticking to establish buttonholes?  I say this because that is the best way to ensure consistency of site and angle.
I'm now in my fifth week I think it is, of doing my own buttonholes and today I used blunts for the first time.  All went well and although I had to push harder to get them in, they didn't hurt and my venous is quite deep.  I don't use lidocaine or Emla cream. 

[jamoman]

is your fistula close to your wrist? mine is  & some times when a different tech hits the buttonhole they`re off & hit a nerve causing pain. a slight adjustment & all is ok. sorry for your pain.

[lola]

Rivy, the only time Otto says he has pain is when he has to use a sharp. Have they tried using a blunt yet? Sorry to hear your having troubles, Otto loves his buttonholes although every now and then he does still have to use a sharp and that hurts. Good luck

[Wallyz]

I'd ask to start my own.  That way you are in control of moving away from nerves and tender areas.

[monrein]

I did my own but still run into nerves.  However, it makes a big difference when you do it yourself.  You know how if you pinch yourself it's one feeling but altogether different if someone else pinches you.