Dialysis access troubles.

[Katonsdad]

For the third time my left upper arm access has clotted . This time I never even got to use it, bummer!!!
I am now on a chest cath , that I must say is the best one I ever had. It hangs down just right and I can
forget it is there sometimes
My regular Vascular surgeon was on vacation when it clotted for the third time so they sent me to another one and he
has decided the best place for my new access is on my upper chest , lower shoulder area.
When they asked me at the Dialysis center what they where going to do I told them and they looked at me like I had
lobsters coming out of my ears . They all say Oh Yeah , Havent seen that in years .
It seems easy to me but they all look at me with wonderment.   This is not my choice , I just keep clotting.
Does anybody else have this ?

Katonsdad

[cassandra]

I'm sorry to hear that, and maybe you will have a subclavia-catheter. I had that when I was younger. Worked well for quite a while I remember. Good luck, hope it works for a good time.

love Cas

[Whamo]

Wow, my new fistula works, but they have trouble hooking me up.  I hope I don't have to go back to a catheter because fistulas are the gold standard for access.  The one thing I liked about a catheter is that they are easy to hook up.  Even the less competent nurses know how to do it.  I also enjoy showers, and with a catheter I never took one because I was afraid an infection.  I plan to do a little surfing this summer too.  You might try cleaning out your arteries with diet and exercise.  They say butter is the best thing for your arteries, but I've been able to clean them with concentrated fish oil.

[Rerun]

How much EPO are you on and what is your Hematocrit?  I ride the low side so I don't clot.  I'm also on a baby aspirin everyday.

[Katonsdad]

1 regular asprin , plavix and grestor.  blood pressure has been 90/50. not sure on epo.