Rotating sticks

[jollor]

Friday when I went to dialysis I told the tech where I would like to be stuck and she said I'll see where I think is best not you. She talked like she was annoyed that I ask to be stuck in certain places. The thing that gets my goat is if I didn't say stick somewhere new or point to somewhere I wanted to be stuck they would stick me in the same old places over and over again. They always go with the quickest and easiest stick. Now she did mention about sticking somewhere totally new next time. She also said she could even reverse them. Do you know what she meant? I have been asking them to go downward with one of my sticks to open up some room. I was wondering if both of the needles can go downward? Usually they do both up but I was wondering if it makes a difference. Any advice will be appreciated and any advice on how to handle this situation. She also mention doing a wet stick any pros and cons on that you know of? Sorry for the long winded post It's just that this is frustrating me. Thanks once again.

[tubes]

Oh hell no!  I always tell my nurses where I want to be stuck or I ask if it looks like a good place.  I always get my way becuz I will put up a fight, they have threatened to kick me out of the unit a few times...just for the day.  It's my fistula and if I don't want to be stuck there for whatever reason, then u r not going too. 
I think both needles can go down.  I have one up and one down.  I think venous is down and arterial is up. I'm not sure what she means by "reversing" them.  Also I have no idea as to what a "wet stick" is, so I would like to know that folks.

Sorry man I don't know what to tell ya.  Except it is your treatment and they should listen to you.
You know your fistula and how it feels and they should take that into consideration.  If a spot hurts, stay away from it please. 

later,
R

[kitkatz]

Oh hell no!  I would create such a fuss that the next person who stuck me would do it my way or hit the highway. Be strong and let them know what is up.

[angela515]

It's YOUR body, and YOUR treatment... get it done the way YOU want. Don't take anything less.

[susie q]

A wet stick is when the syringe of saline is attached to the needle prior to cannulation.  works nicely.. not sure why. 

[Zach]

I've used wet sticks for all 25+ years on hemodialysis.  It helps prevent the blood from clotting while being cannulated.
A wet stick also allows you the flush the needle tubes before using, by squirting out a few cc of the saline.

[boxman55]

I have been told that the venus is always up but the arterial can go either way...Boxman

[jollor]

Cool thanks for the info. It would be nice if both of the needles could go down. The arterial and venus. Because that would definitely give me some more room to be stuck. I wish I could do buttonhole but there not gonna do it at my center and I'm too scared to stick myself.

[tubes]

Thanks Zach and Susie.  Don't think I will be needing a wet stick.  My blood is way thin as it is with my blood thinner. 
That is interesting I don't think I've ever seen that done at my unit.

Later,
R

Oh yea....Nice Avatar! ! !    

[jbeany]

Okay - I just watched the video they gave me on self cannulation, so I think I've got this right.  The venous needle can only go one direction.  The arterial can go either.  It's actually better for most people if the arterial is "reversed" or pointing into the blood flow, as it can give better clearances.  It's not a big difference, though, so it's pretty common to do them both with the needle pointing in the direction of the blood flow.  As for placement - each needle stick should be at least 1/4 of an inch from the previous.  The father apart the two needles are placed, the better the flow and the clearances.  The stick sites should be rotated, such as from top to bottom of the available area.  The two sites should ideally be rotated in sync, so the needle placement stays as far apart as possible.