Be gentle... it's my first time...

[devon]

As y'all know, next week I'll be doing my first treatment.  I avoided the emergency requirement, thankfully.  Instead I'll be admitted to hospital where they'll do the first couple, maybe three treatments.  Hopefully, I'll be home Saturday.  I plan to take a book to read and perhap a friend will visit. 

I can't believe I didn't ask the doc about all this but in that meeting I was so overwhelmed by fact that I was going to start, that all those questions just blew outa my head in an instant.  That's the way I am in a stressful situation.  I don't try to figure things out, I just deal with them in the moment.  The questions come later. 

So, what should I expect?  What do they do during this hospitalization?  What goes on between the treatments?  Is the "first time" painful?

Thanks,

-Devon

[Deanne]

I hope it goes well for you Devon!

[Rerun]

Your one arm will have to remain still, so I don't read books.  Although, I do see people reading books.  I don't know why you have to go through the hospital for the first couple of treatments.  Sounds like they want a chunk of your insurance money. 

I'd ask they why you have to be in the hospital?

Best of luck!

[KICKSTART]

The best thing to do is while you are sat quietly is make a list of all the things you want to ask. I used to do this for clinic checkups so i wouldnt forget when i got there ! Best of luck 

[MIbarra]

If you are using a fistula or graft and they're going to stick you, you might ask for some lidocaine/prilocaine cream. I could still feel the needles using this, but I'm sure not as much. You put it on 30 - 60 minutes ahead of being stuck. Once the needles are in there isn't any pain (at least I didn't have any) as long as they stick you correctly. I felt light headed through the process, but I was even able to fall asleep. You may also get sick to your stomach.

They put you in the hospital because the first few times they use a medication that could cause fluid on the brain or at least that's what my doctor told me. They want you there to watch how you're going to react and honestly I felt a lot safer in the hospital. They also did a short treatment for me the first 2 times so I could get used to it before during the full four hours.

In between treatments they pretty much left me alone in my room except to check vitals. No other tests or procedures for me. Good luck with everything!

[devon]

About "why" in the hospital?  My doc said it was because of the many changes it will have in my chemistry and metabolism and the medications.  This way, if there is a problem, I will be able to get the necessary help immediately.  I personally prefer hospitalization, too rather than my first time being in the center.  I'd hate to have something go wrong there and have to wait for an ambulance.

Oh, and I will be using the fistula that was done last March.  It's healed very nicely with no apparent scar.  The surgeon is a real pro! 

Thanks for the perspectives y'all.  It's very helpful to hear what you have to say about this event.  I'm hoping they'll just knock me out and wake me when it's done!  Heehee

-Devon

[Rerun]

They just threw me in a clinic.  My first day was 45 minutes with the idiot Social Worker and then on the machine for 3 hours.

[lola]

Otto slept threw most of his treatments in the Hospital. When he got back to the room he slept some more. Social workers came to talk to us about Medicare and SSD. The rest of the time he watched TV. Good luck and see if you can get a private room.

[twirl]

I had my first treatment in the hospital. I used a fistula that was mature. If you do not like pain request this cream that you rub on your arm an hour before being stuck.I did not do that and I got nothing for pain and it was painful. They can also give you a shot to help with pain but I found that just as painful as being stuck. They prescribed a spray for me that did not do any good. I stayed on the treatment for 4 hours.
Do not watch the time, that makes it so slow. I used to grade papers and do lesson plans. Reading is a little hard but you can do it. I took game boys for awhile but got tired of that. I go very early now and usually watch the news. Good Luck   

[monrein]

Good luck Devon and let us know how it goes.  Everyone is so different and their pain tolerance is too.  I've never used cream and definitely not lidocaine before my needles and I don't find it all that bad.  My best advice I guess would be to do your best to relax and not worry or anticipate much of anything.  Expect some brief discomfort for the two sticks and if you have an experienced nurse and a good mature fistula it's all over pretty fast.

All the best and you'll have so many of us there with you in spirit.

[jbeany]

Don't forget that you are the one who gets to tell them when you are ready for needles!  I find that take a couple of deep breaths just before helps me relax my arm, and then it doesn't hurt as much.  I don't do lido or cream - my clinic never offered the cream, and the lido burn just bugs me.

[G-Ma]

Hey devon, just send your mind to the Bahamas, nice blue water, perfect beaches (I have heard), no lidocaine as it stings, ask for the cream about an hour before, I was in hosp the first 2 days and did a lot of lounging around, sleeping, reading and visiting.  With my new fistula some days I don't remember to use the cream and doesn't bother me all that much, just a deep breath and it's ok.  Hugs from us to you.