Can a patient request a cath?

[gothiclovemonkey]

Some of you may know this, but ive had my fistula for 7 years, and its not looking too hot. when i first talked with the surgeon, he had mentioned attempting to fix it, but it most like wouldnt work and id need a cath... so we opted for this darn graft, which is NOT going well, and quite honestly im sick of having surgery every week to fix it. ive only had like 3 treatments from it, because it keeps clotting up and being a real PIA!
Can i ask him to try to fix the fistula and give me a cath?? can I demand it?!?

[Angiepkd]

Hi GLM!  I ended up with a graft because they couldn't repair my fistula, and wasn't crazy about it, either. It was hard to stick and my pressures were always wrong. I ended up with a cath and used it until my transplant, which my surgeon was not happy about.  I don't know if you can demand that a surgeon do something, as they can easily say no.  But I would definitely discuss it with him and ask him to try and repair your fistula.  My surgeon tried to do a repair and then ended up doing the graft, so he may know he can't make a repair after seeing it during your surgery.  It never hurts to ask, though! Hope it works out for you!  They say the graft gets easier to use as time goes on, but I didn't really give it a chance. Maybe it will start to get better!

[jeannea]

Yes you can. You will have to stick up for yourself with a number of people and probably get a lot of remarks from techs. I know a man who has been on dialysis about 7-8 years now. He is not a candidate for transplant. He tried 3 different fistulas. Then he said no more. He has used a cath about 4 years now. I don't know how many times it's been changed but not too often. And he is terrible about taking care of himself. With good care you can do ok with a cath. Fistulas are considered optimal but if you can't get one working then you can't.

[Rerun]

Yes, ask for a cath and give yourself a rest.  Then in the fall have him try and fix the fistula.  I did fine with a cath.  They worry about infection but I did fine.

Good luck Goth.