should I be concerned?

[sullidog]

The other day I had my monthly access flow test, and the flow results were way below 600 they were at 189 to be exact, however the access runs fine on the machine, however there's an aneurism in the middle of the access, could this mess with the access flow testing? Should I have them run it again or should I consult my surgeon. The thrill and brui seem ok to me and I still reach my perscribed bloodflow rate. About the aneurism, I had it checked a few weeks ago and they said it was small enough to not to worry about it, however I do notice it getting softer, is this something I should have checked as well? The last one I had never changed but I notice this one is getting softer but not changing a whole lot in size, could the aneurism getting softer mean danger? I can actually feel a thrill through the aneurism as well. Could it be getting week or something? There's no scabs over it as I can tell, the nurses at my center don't seem to know a whole a lot about accesses, the techs seem to know more than they do which I think is sad. I don't understand a lot about the access flow numbers so if someone could try to explain it to me I'd appreciate it.

[cassandra]

I would have the test done again. If your arm isn't swolen, and you clearance is okay, I wouldn't worry yet, but have the test redone.

lots of luck, love Cas

[bevvy5]

I've never heard of an access flow test.  Is it something they do regularly for you?  Or something they do if they suspect a problem?

Just curious.

Bev

[sullidog]

It's a thing that some centers do to monitor the access, it's monthly

[MommyChick]

I would defiantly talk to your doctor & see about also redoing the test. Otherwise I wouldn't worry to much. At least your center is doing the access flow test.
Mine hasn't done one in like 2 months. I'm sure that cant be good. I'm not to sure on the aneurism, but I know when my access flow hasn't been looking good my doctor normally likes me to get a fistula-gram to make sure things are fine.
Good Luck & God Bless 

[sullidog]

I scheduled to see my surgeon to see what he says, I didn't op to go in for the fistulagram right away because my neph's IVR doesn't know what he's doing, meaning always saying there's nothing wrong with it, so I now always have my surgeon do my fistula work including the fistulograms.

[cassandra]

Good decision, always trust your gut instinct.

good luck, Cas

[lmunchkin]

Good decision, always trust your gut instinct.

good luck, Cas

Absolutely! If you trust your surgeon (your instinct tells you) then go with what he says.  I tend to think it may be nothing, but it never hurts to have confirmation.

Jesus Is Lord,
lmunchkin

[sullidog]

I am seeing him tomorrow (12/3) another issue I'm having now is you have to pull the arterial needle far enough back without it dislodging from the graft to get a good pressure on it. The dialysis nurse says the blood flow is probably all consintrated and swishing inside the aneurism that's why the  access BFR is at 189.