Buttonholes

[pklipe57]

Monday was the first day for the tech to use blunts.  It went in real easy.  If it starts out this way are the chances that they will be good buttonholes.  The person across from me is in a lot of pain everytime and I was told his buttonholes aren't very good but I don't know how long he has been using his buttonholes.

Any more advice about buttonholes?

Thanks. 

 

[monrein]

The same person ought to do them every time so the angle is exactly the same.  Yourself perhaps? Blunts going in easily now bodes well for the future.

[Inara]

I'm so glad it's going well so far!

Prepare yourself for this, though....the "newest thing" is to create a second set of buttonholes (just in case the first two fail for some reason or if the nurse/tech can't cannulate the originals).  But this is probably months away since yours are so new.  And maybe they don't even do that yet where you are.  I hope I'm not offending or scaring anyone in anyway...(I'm a dialysis nurse/caregiver and this has been implemented for over a month now...just trying to give a "heads up") 

Best of luck to you and keep us updated!!!!

[pklipe57]

The same person has stuck me everytime so far.  I knew that was part of the trick.  Once they get established will other people be able to stick me successfully?

The clinic I go to is a non-profit hospital unit and we have had the same techs everyday.  If we were
M-W-F  then our techs were MWF as well as the RNs.  Now - they say we are overstaffed so everyone is having to take scheduled days off.  I haven't been without my tech yet, but I know it is coming.  It was easier before when I had my backup catheter but it's out now. 

I am planning my first trip in November and will do dialysis in another city.  Will the buttonholes be really established by then?

Thanks

[monrein]

They should be nice by then pklipe.  I would encourage you to try them yourself if you can get your head around it.  Buttonholes hurt less than sharps although even those hurt less when you self-stick.   The buttonholes sometimes have a nerve right where they are but if not it's like wiggling into a pierced ear hole and the pushing into the vein.  If you can get comfortable with self sticking (and if they allow it) you'll remove a big piece of D related stress. 

I never had to use a sharp once my buttonholes were established which took about a month. 

[pklipe57]

Thanks for the help and encouragement.  I haven't wrapped my head around the self-stick, but I am working on it. 

Gotta run - off to dialysis.

[cookie2008]

We are trying to establish my buttonholes, having a hard time, we are going in the same angle, no problem with the sharps but the blunts go in one day then the next day it wont work, and the blunt doesnt hurt it just burns when they go in.

[silverhead]

We have been using Buttonholes for over 2 years, are still using Sharps, blunts just do not work for her, she seems to heal to well between sessions, Go figure.......

[monrein]

I was doing 5 days a week so that made a difference I'm sure.

[joannalee74]

We get patients in the hospital sometimes with button holes. We have the dull needles there and normally don't have any trouble sticking them. If I were a dialysis patient, I would prefer button holes. Good luck!! 

[del]

My husband has been using buttonholes for the past 3 years.  For him they are pain free.  Would be good if you could do the needles yourself. 

[Nobbzee]

Hi. New guy here.

My nurse actually told me about buttonholes and the benefits of it now that they finally removed my catheter. It seems better for you in the long run and for fistula. However, there is a slightly higher possibility of getting an infection. Make sure whoever does the poking clean the area well first.

[twirl]

I need to start wearing my contacts when on IHD
I thought this said buttholes

[YLGuy]

I need to start wearing my contacts when on IHD
I thought this said buttholes

So I am curious Twirl...which IHD members did you think this thread was about? 

[Stoday]

I need to start wearing my contacts when on IHD
I thought this said buttholes

You crack me up Twirl.  You've changed this into a porno topic.

I've just re-read the whole thread substituting "buttholes" for "buttonholes". I particularly like the husband who's been using buttholes for the last three years.