Long Term tunneled neck/chest catheter for home haemodialysis

[Henry P Snicklesnorter]

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[Grumpy-1]

Thanks for the information.  I'm working to switch back to PD, but if that doesn't work out I will ask about keeping my tunnel access instead of needles and doing it at home.  What make and model machine do you have at home?  Grumpy

[Henry P Snicklesnorter]

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[noahvale]

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[KatieV]

Wow!  I've had a lot of trouble with my fistula and my established buttonholes.  I recently got an infection and had a tunnel catheter placed.  I like it SO much better than the needles.  It has taken a ton of stress off of dialysis!

Unfortunately, I have been told that it is temporary and that before the snow flies (sometime this fall), I will need to go back to using my fistula.  I am very nervous about it and not looking forward to it.  Especially because I've been told *I will be the one sticking myself*.....AHHHHHH......  My husband was sticking me before. 

[Henry P Snicklesnorter]

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[deniferfer]

Forgive me for being a bit unknowing here but you have a port catheter in your chest and are still able to do home hemo dialysis?  I did PD for 15 years and have been placed temporarily on hemo till October.  But from what I understood you couldn't do home hemo with a port catheter...How hard is it to do? how many days a week do you go on? Also what re some of the risks? 

[Henry P Snicklesnorter]

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[deniferfer]

Thank you Henry, You information is very helpful! I think i could handle the clean and sterile part. i'm used to that with PD and there was risk of infection as i'm sure you know. But the main reason I'm interested is that I want to go back to the easier food restrictions. The worst part is the only 6 cups (48 oz) of fluid and right now it is getting hot and it sucks to put it mildly.I lso like being in control of my own dialysis.  I will have to talk with my dr and see if it possible to do that over here. Or I mite have to switch countries.     

[Henry P Snicklesnorter]

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[Sugarlump]

They are refusing to let me do home haemo because I have a femoral groin line.
They say the greatest risk is the line coming out during dialysis 
I have had two previous long term necklines ans three attempts at fistula (have tiny veins)
I need a specialist access surgeon to have a look if I can find one... any other access would be good.

[komomai]

That's good news on the length of time you can leave your tunnel catheter in Henry.  I am scheduled for placement of a tunnel tomorrow here on Okinawa, Japan.  My only anxiety is this hospital hasn't been doing the procedure for the last 3 years and I'm there first one.  They have placed a total of 4 chest catheters since July 4th and I've been in the hospital since then, fighting 2 infections( PD was filled with Pus so removed).

So I have to ask will it hurt much to do the tunnel?  I figure it can't be as bad as the chest catheter.  Watched the youtube videos and it looks like your awake for the procedure.  Anyway the good news is that my Dr. said I might be able to start using the tunnel catheter by Friday(one week) and I might be able to go home.

Again Henry good news if you can leave it in and continue using your tunnel, please keep us updated.

Aloha,
Wendell

[obsidianom]

My wife just had her second tunnel catheter put in last week. It can be used immediatly. We went home and did home hemo 1 hour after it was put in.
It did nt hurt at all she said. I watched as I am a physician on staff there anyway. A little lidocaine and some IV fentanyl were plenty for a no pain procedure. She felt fine immediatly after and we drove home to do dialysis. Its really a minor procedure done here under fluoroscopy by radiologists. It is working fine now and in fact I am monitering her treatment as I write this. So dont worry about it , it should be easy and painless.