Angioplasty on fistular

[Mimi]

Hi Everyone, I went in September and had a fistula done in my left upper arm.  Well it never matured,
so I went yesterday and they did a fistulogram and balloon angioplasty on it to try to salvage it.  Today I took the
bandage off and was shocked.  It is all black and blue, and from the inner elbow up to nearly the shoulder there are
big dark blue engouraged veins.  And on top of that it is all sore as h---!  Has anyone else had this endovascular treatment and if so did it look like this?  Oh and by the way did it work?  I would appreciate any info or experience
anyone has on this. Thanks!
 
Mimi

[KR Cincy]

My fistula is in my lower left arm and it's been balooned a couple of times but I've never had any bruising. It was a little sore where they made the incision, but it was minimal...a couple of tylenol usually took care of it. Sounds like they must've really done some major repair work on yours.

[Mimi]

My fistula is in my lower left arm and it's been balooned a couple of times but I've never had any bruising. It was a little sore where they made the incision, but it was minimal...a couple of tylenol usually took care of it. Sounds like they must've really done some major repair work on yours.

It is unbelieveable how black and blue my arm is.  The veins seem to have gone down some, but it still looks pretty
horrific.  Thanks for your imput KR.  You were the only one to answer.

God Bless You,
Mimi

[LightLizard]

i had the same procedure late last year, mimi. it was quite a painful experience, overall, and i left the hospital feeling abused.
no one had told me that i was going to get it done, they just called me up and said the wanted to look at my fistula. i had reported that the 'buzz' had stopped, a few days earlier.
it was about a two hour procedure. near the end of it, the doctor said to me;' well, you are quite the trooper. most people ask to be sedated during this....'
no one had told me that i had that option. if i have to get it done again, ever, you can bet i will be asking to be sedated!
yes, i had a fair amount of bruising afterwards, for about a week, but the 'buzz' returned and has been present ever since.
i think the main thing is to exercise the hand, keep the buzz going. squeeze a ball, daily, and just exercise your hand by opening and closing the fingers, numerous times per day.
hopefully, i won't ever need my fistula, (i'm on peritoneal, home dialysis) but it is slightly comforting to know that it is available, should the need arise.

peace

[Krisna]

I just started a new thread abt mine.  I had it done on Tuesday!  It didn't bruise too bad this time but I went to a clinic that specializes in dialysis accesses.  Had I gone to the hospital, it would probably be worse.  I was able to use it on Wednesday with no problems.  At the clinic it took abt 45 minutes for everything but it wasn't that bad...well except for the pain!

Now, I've had problems before too and they have put the balloon in it and fixed it.  I've had my fistula since 1987 and have had the balloon done 4 times.  How much bruising and swelling there is depends on how much work they have to do.  This was the first time I was awake for it and not in the hospital. 

[Cincygrandma]

Mimi, I've had the balloon procedure 5 times in the past year (lower left arm). The last time was about six weeks ago, not long after beginning dialysis.  It has been very painful and I've had bruising continuously since the 1st time.  I also had 2 coils inserted in July.  Bruising is probably less now than it's been in close to a year. There was sedation given at some point each time, but except once when it put me to sleep, never seemed to help that much.  The first 3 times were especially painful.  I remember them telling me the balloon was causing the pain.  Other than lidocaine for numbing, they didn't give any sedative until they were into the site.  My vein is not visible on the surface but feels very strong.  You might ask about using the moist heat treatment on the painful area.  I know where you're coming from on this and wish you the best.

[BigSteve]

I just had an angiplasty on my access Tuesday because it clotted. They only gave
me a local anesthetic,but there was not much pain. After most of it was over they
offered me a sedative which I took, but it didn't do any good. The Dr. also had to
put in a neck catheter later which was painfull when the stitches were done.
I had no after effects on the access other than scabs at the access points.

[Adam_W]

I just had my latest attempt at a fistula put in my right upper-arm, and almost a week later, it still doesn't have a thrill or bruit. The only sign of life is poor circulation in that arm, which I didn't have before the fistula was put in (the blood that is not going to my hand has to be getting shunted somewhere). I see my surgeon next week, and they may do a fistulagram on it. I've given it some thought, and if this latest "permanent" access fails, I may start looking into PD, even though I love my NxStage. I just don't want to spend the rest of my life doing dialysis with a catheter in my chest. I think a PD cath would be easier to deal with.

Adam

[Krisna]

Gosh, I feel lucky!  I got my fistula put in March 3, 1987 (age 15) because my first transplant was beginning to reject.  I was bad abt doing the exercises to build it up though and when I needed dialysis in Sept. 1988 (age 16) I had to get a catheter put in.  They used the catheter for several months until my fistula was ready to use.  I was transplanted again February 4, 1989 (age 17).  After receiving the transplant I continues to be protective of it knowing that I would probably need it some time in the future.  I did in January 1994 (age 22).  I've had a total of 4 problems with it.  Clotted once and needed angioplasty 3 times.  I'm lucky!