Fistula Angioplasty-sp? I am FREAKED out

[Cordelia]

So my nurse notices this morning I clotted ONLY while doing an access flow montlly check test   and I was bleeding while in the chair. She couldn't figure out where the bleeding was coming from cuz it wasn't coming from the needle itself, there was a blood bubble (as beas as I can describe it) in the  plastic part? The lumen? I don't know what the piece is called anyways.  Sooooo they had to put me half on my chest cath since I still have this stupid chest line and then used the one needle.

Anyways, the nurse freaks me out by saying something about having to do an angioplasty. Now I don't know a whole lot about this procedure but I recall reading places on here that it hurts.

If my access flow doesn't go well on Thursday, then they have to do a "fistula study" What the heck is that???

All these terms I have no idea what all is involved. I'm very, very nervous for Thursday.    I'm so freaked out by these terms.....I get scared and nervous of the unknown!

Today just SUCKED.  The hospital lab was closed due to a contamination and blood labs were supposed to be today.  If they don't do labs Thursday then I'm screwed cuz then I have to worry about Easter meal on Sunday and eating things I didn't think I'd have to worry about since labs should have been done before Easter.

Oh, and one of my twin daughters had a mild seizure at school and I had to go and pick her up from school and I felt so horribe for her.

It's just been a crappy day!!!!!!!!!!!                         

I could royally scream right now!!!!       

Is this procedure something I should be asking a sedative for? Does it hurt? What should I expect? How long do these damn things take? Am I gonna be tied up at the hospital all  day?         

My fistula has been running just fine.  I didn't need this fistula drama right before Easter!       

Oh God, my fistula just started to bleed right now!!!!!!!!!!

[willowtreewren]

 

I'm with you on the crappy day!

but the fistulagram is not that bad. Carl had one to open a stenosis (narrowing) and there was just a tiny, tiny slit where they put the scope and balloon in. He had dialysis as usual that evening.

I'm sorry about the labs. My advice is to enjoy some of the food you love for Easter. Just don't over-do it. 

Aleta

[MooseMom]

Oh Cordelia, I'm sorry this has you freaked out!  I would be climbing the walls, too, probably without good reason.  LOL!  I wish I had some calming advice for you, but I know nothing about these sorts of procedures.

As for Easter food, I agree with wtw in that you should enjoy your feast while not overdoing it.  If your labs come back abnormal, well, there will be a lot more labs after this one, right?!

Let us know what happens on Thursday, OK?

[Cordelia]

Thank you so much MM and WT.               I am wishing tomorrow morning away!

I am worried                         

I don't know what to expect.

[willowtreewren]

Cordelia,

When Carl went in, we got there very early and were home long before lunch. the procedure took only a few minutes and Carl had a mild "twilight" kind of sedative. He had no pain at all.

Dear, Cordelia, worry is not good for you. Take a deep breath and let yourself settle into a calmer state of mind. Like I said, Carl's fistula was just fine for using that same day. I wish I could be there to hold your hand. Try to imagine that I am sitting right there with you, supporting you at every moment. It will be fine.

I wish your team had told you more about what to expect.    They should not have left you so uninformed that you would need to be so worried. 

So, dear..... remember that this is a VERY simple procedure. When Carl went into the operating theater and I went to the waiting room, I sat down, settled myself in for a wait, opened my computer, and was called up to the desk to talk with the surgeon (by phone) that surgery was over!!! It was that fast!

 

It will go well for you, too.

Aleta

[looneytunes]

Cordelia, hubby has had multiple fistulagrams (at least and multiple angioplasty procedures.  We are on a first name basis with the angio staff at our local hospital, he's been there so many times.  You will be sedated and probably sleep through the entire thing.  He has never had any pain from it and other than groggy for a few hours afterwards, was able to go back to the normal routine that afternoon.   I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers but everything will be fine.   

[Stacy Without An E]

When I still had my graft (leftover from my second transplant) and started Dialysis again they had to do a fistulagram (or angioplasty...I believe they're much the same procedure) the procedure turned out not be that bad.

I was fearful too before the procedure.  They put an IV in and give you pain medication to help you relax and take away the pain, so that's something to look forward to   They wheel you into an operating room and tape down your arm to side table and wrap and clean it completely.  They then inject a needle and flush the access anywhere from one to three times.  It feels warm but doesn't hurt.  And then you're done!

Make sure to be up front with how nervous you are when you arrive.  I've done this in the past and they were kind enough to give me a little extra.  During one of the procedures I actually conked out and woke up about any hour later in the recovery room.  You'll need to have someone pick you up or call a taxi; they won't let you drive on your own after the procedure.

I wish you nothing but the best.  It'll be okay, I promise.

[Cordelia]

Thanks everyone for the heads up.   Thankfully, I won't have to have it. My access flow went well today and no problems, I am happy to report   


                    

[willowtreewren]

I'm so glad for you! And as my dear husband would say....all that worry for nothing. 

[MooseMom]

I can feel your relief from here!  LOL!

[Whamo]

Fistulas take time to develop.  It seems like nothing comes easy once you are on dialysis.

[lsamen]

Cordelia, Angioplast isnt that bad IF you already have a Tunnel catheter in your chest.  It's not fun, and burns some.  I am Christian and have to turn all my fears over to GOD.  Have no idea how others do it, but for 5 years on dialysis I have never been alone in that chair.  God is beside me always.  I have high blood pressure and an "AV Graft" so I bleed after treatment.  I invented something to stop the bleeding problem after treatment. Be sure to apply pressure and if really bleeding you need to dial 911, YOU could bleed out..take it seriously, it's a vein and an ARTERY!   Write me, Lynda

[Cordelia]

I don't bleed between treatments much,  I  think I had a little bleeding twice in about 2 months right after treatment, which wasn't too bad.

[sullidog]

I had a surgeon who only used local, it was a bit disconforting but my new surgeon uses a miled versed and something else, can't remember the med right now.

[Cordelia]

I'm not all sure what will be involved with the removal of mine.

[Riverwhispering]

This is a kewl thread.  I've heard the term used and was thinking it was going to be awful... picturing it to be like rotorooter going up your vein.   Very educational here on IHD... thanks again people

[Cordelia]

I agree! This place is very educational!