New guy

[walterc]

Hello all

I'm Walter(ok that's my middle name but my first name - Rodger was already taken) I'm 46 years old and have been a dialysis patient(catheter) for 3 1/2 years at a Davita clinic in Lancaster, CA.

My kidneys were originally damaged by a bout of anti-fungal agents I received when I came down with Valley Fever some 20 years ago. The kidneys gradually lost most of their function over that time frame and then went out in 2006.

Dialysis hasn't been easy for me especially for the first year. My first catheter was put in wrong and induced a heart attack(ventricular tachycardia) on my second dialysis - very, very painful. And later two other minor heart attacks induced by it. It was so bad the nurses were scared every time I came in for treatment because they thought I was going to die since I tended to almost code on a almost regular basis.

Luckily when it was replaced the problems went away and dialysis have been quite routine since then(knock on wood).

And yeah I've kept the catheter since I like to stay physically active and need to use my left arm to lift more than 15lbs on a regular basis. Plus I have a phobia about needles Yep I'm a wimp when it comes to these sort of things.

As it stands now, I try to live my life as normally as I can despite my illness. Most of the time I ignore it and it kinda works.

Walter

[MooseMom]

No one who is on dialysis can ever claim to be a wimp.  Why do you need to lift 15lbs with your arm on a regular basis?  Is that job related, or do you enjoy strength training.  Keeping physically active is probably the one thing a renal patient can do for himself that can make a world of difference, so good on ya!

I am always glad to learn how other people are coping with the stresses and strains of dialysis, so thanks so much for telling us your story.  Post often because with more than three years under your belt, you are a pro.

[galvo]

G'day Walter and . You've come to a good spot.

[Ken Shelmerdine]

Hi Walter and Welcome. If your lifting problem is not job related I would strongly recommend a fistula. Overall it gives you so much more freedom and peace of mind about line infection. When your fistula is fully mature you don't have to strictly adhere to the weight restriction as long as you are sensible about it.

I know about the horror of needles but I did eventually get used to them.You can use Emla cream about a couple of hours before dialysis and it numbs the pain of the needles going in.
Best of Luck

[Bajanne]

Welcome to our community, Walter!  I am like you.  I used my second name which is the one I prefer.  So glad that you joined us.  But I am amazed.  I thought catheters for haemodialysis patients were only a temporary measure.  I thought that the high risk of infection was the reason for that.  But you seem to have been doing well on that.  I look forward to hearing more from you as you take advantage of all this site has to offer.  Think of us less as a site and more as a family    Just keep reading and keep posting.





Bajanne, Moderator

[looneytunes]

Hi Walter and welcome to IHD.  My husband currently has a catheter as well as a fistula (that has not yet been used).  As of the last two months, he has been lifting well over 50 lbs with his left arm daily with no (known) problems.  The surgeon that put it in told us that lifting should be a conditioned thing, start slow and work up and would most likely be fine. 

I also am trypanophobic (the official name for needle phobia) but have learned to use them on my husband without shaking and freaking out.  And I also call myself a wimp.  But, it is a real thing and I'm totally sympathetic to others who have this fear! 

Great to have you join the group.  I'm looking forward to seeing you on the boards!   

[Zach]

Good to have you here!
 

[Rerun]

Hi Walter, glad you are here.  Sounds like you are in a smooth spot with dialysis.  Glad to hear it.  This is a good place to vent when things are not going well and a place to build confidence concerning what is going on with your treatments.  Dialysis Centers don't like it when we talk to each other and learn what is acceptable and what is not.

Stick with us and learn what's going on.

Rerun, Moderator       

[peleroja]

Welcome to the group.  Lots of good information and friends here.  Come on back and post often.

[monrein]

  to IHD.

[aharris2]

Hi Walter,

Welcome to the neighborhood.

My brother has had a catheter for hemo long term as well. Happily he never had the same problems with it that you had. It wasn't a plan, he went through the graft process and got a couple of years from it and the fistula process with less success. We've had great success with this catheter. The clinic is forever trying to coax him to do another graft/fistula, but he's happy with the catheter for the time being.

Are they all over you too? Glad to read that your dialysis sessions have become routine. An uneventful day at dialysis is good.

  Alene

[LoneHighway]

Hello Walter. I really feel for you.. when my sister got her second catheter put in they punctured her lung and she was in the hospital for a long time, and on top of that the catheter barely worked.   OUCH.

[jdwills83]

 

[Quickfeet]