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Author Topic: Do you have a graft?  (Read 1917 times)
KidneySinger
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« on: July 31, 2012, 11:33:08 AM »
Hi
I went through unsuccessful fistula surgery in my upper arm and now I am told we need to do a graft in my forearm as the next step.
Was wondering from those of you who have grafts - how is it?  Can you go many years on a graft?  Do you feel your graft and does it bulge out?  How is the stick when you start dialysis?
I am familiar with fistulas because my brother has been using one for several years - and I thought for years, I would have one too...
Have no idea about grafts.
Thanks for any info  :clap;
Logged
3rd generation of Alports Syndrome: 1st generation: 4 uncles died in 20's - next generation: 2 uncles transplanted at 40, 1 died from cancer as result of rejection medication, other still alive at 65 with 20+ year transplant from sister (a carrier of Alports) but mulitple cancer surgeries through the years...looks like he is 85 years old.
1961: Blood and Protien in urine since birth
Doctors telling me kidneys would fail - every year for 50 years now! No hearing loss, just ringing
(Really think ace inhibitors and beta blockers since high school helped my surprising longevity - if you are NOT on an ace inhibitor, please ask your doctor why)
2012: GFR: 18 at present - on transplant list but they are going to have to convice me after seeing my uncles.
Preparing for dialysis
Younger brother on dialysis now for 2 years
Fistula Surgery at Mayo Clinic: failed
Going in for 2nd attempt at a fistula with different doctor - different vein
9/7/12 2nd attempt at fistula - WORKING! Mayo ruined 2 veins and St Vincents got one working!
Need additional surgery when fistual matures to bring closer to the skin.
GFR 17 - so plenty of time
WOW...just when I thought I had plenty of time - my GFR dropped to 13 in a month - guess I better get that fistula moved forward.
Moved it forward and have a thriving...thrilling fistual...BUT
Just when I did all that, I decided to go the PD route...so glad I did.
Now do PD every night and all seems to be going very well...for about a year.
Now on hemo dialysis at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
Every Mon Wed and Friday for 4 hours at 400 pump speed.
Its really not that bad.....
noahvale
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« Reply #1 on: July 31, 2012, 02:51:13 PM »
^
« Last Edit: September 17, 2015, 08:09:01 AM by noahvale » Logged
KidneySinger
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« Reply #2 on: July 31, 2012, 05:42:12 PM »
Thanks so much!  I will call.
Here is what happened...tell me what you think because I am beginning to think the doctor may be at fault.
I go to Mayo so I thought I was in best hands.  My GFR is 18 but my neph wanted me to get ready for future dialysis by getting a good fistula.
They did the vein mapping and everything.
Went into surgery on my left arm around my elbow and was left with a huge Z scar.
The doc did not come and talk to me in recovery.  I went home after a couple of hours.
A couple of days later I was reading that you should feel a buzz soon after surgery so I called my doc and told them I felt nothing.
They said that was fine and normal and would take a few weeks and would see me at my post op visit in 2 weeks.
When I went in, they felt and heard nothing.  My doc did not see me, it was he assistant.
She sent me to sonogram and they confirmed the fistula was blocked.
The scheduled me a follow up for 2 weeks later to have it surgically fixed with a cathetar.
This is now over 1 month since my surgery.
I went in for the 2nd surgery and after being IV'ed and ready to wheel, the doctor (different) came in and said he did not want to do the surgery because it had been to long and it probably would not work, so I was sent home.
I just went in for my visit with my original doctor, first time I have seen him, and he told me about doing the graft.
Is this normal?  They have just used up a very important area and vien and it was a failure.  I understand some fail, but to wait so long before checking and trying to fix?
Thanks for your help.
Logged
3rd generation of Alports Syndrome: 1st generation: 4 uncles died in 20's - next generation: 2 uncles transplanted at 40, 1 died from cancer as result of rejection medication, other still alive at 65 with 20+ year transplant from sister (a carrier of Alports) but mulitple cancer surgeries through the years...looks like he is 85 years old.
1961: Blood and Protien in urine since birth
Doctors telling me kidneys would fail - every year for 50 years now! No hearing loss, just ringing
(Really think ace inhibitors and beta blockers since high school helped my surprising longevity - if you are NOT on an ace inhibitor, please ask your doctor why)
2012: GFR: 18 at present - on transplant list but they are going to have to convice me after seeing my uncles.
Preparing for dialysis
Younger brother on dialysis now for 2 years
Fistula Surgery at Mayo Clinic: failed
Going in for 2nd attempt at a fistula with different doctor - different vein
9/7/12 2nd attempt at fistula - WORKING! Mayo ruined 2 veins and St Vincents got one working!
Need additional surgery when fistual matures to bring closer to the skin.
GFR 17 - so plenty of time
WOW...just when I thought I had plenty of time - my GFR dropped to 13 in a month - guess I better get that fistula moved forward.
Moved it forward and have a thriving...thrilling fistual...BUT
Just when I did all that, I decided to go the PD route...so glad I did.
Now do PD every night and all seems to be going very well...for about a year.
Now on hemo dialysis at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
Every Mon Wed and Friday for 4 hours at 400 pump speed.
Its really not that bad.....
sullidog
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Posts: 1432
« Reply #3 on: August 04, 2012, 09:55:20 PM »
too bad you don't live in ohio, I have a good one for ya.
I have a graft, it's my second one, it's 2 years old and has had lots of interventions but it seems to still be going strong.
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May 13, 2009, went to urgent care with shortness of breath
May 19, 2009, went to doctor for severe nausea
May 20, 2009, admited to hospital for kidney failure
May 20, 2009, started dialysis with a groin cath
May 25, 2009, permacath was placed
august 24, 2009, was suppose to have access placement but instead was admited to hospital for low potassium
august 25, 2009, access placement
January 16, 2010 thrombectomy was done on access
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