So how huge is your fistula?

[Epoman]

My fistula is huge of course it is over 11 years old. I cover it sometimes when I go places because people stare like crazy. Or when I goto my sons school (elementary) I cover it up so I don't scare the kids. I guess the good thing about a big fistula is that it's easy for me to stick (I stick my own needles), and I guess there's less chance of it clotting. One thing I don't like is the aneurysm I have at the incision site. My situation is kind of unusual I have a half a graft and a fistula. I was given the fistula first but since it wasn't maturing they put in half a graft next to it to be used until the fistula matures. Well I used the graft for like 5 years and it finally clotted (it had clotted once before and they did angioplasty in the clotted area, that is why I have the aneurysm) so instead of having it de-clotted I just started using my fistula (over the years it really matured).

[LifeOnHold]

I have a graft.  It's 8 years old, so it's really scarred up and has some lumps near the arterial anastomosis.

I'm not fistuala material because my veins are too small, and they tend to disappear when they're punctured.  If the nurse who starts an IV doesn't get it on the first try, they flatten out and it's a real nightmare trying to get a needle in.

[Epoman]

I have a graft.  It's 8 years old, so it's really scarred up and has some lumps near the arterial anastomosis.

I'm not fistuala material because my veins are too small, and they tend to disappear when they're punctured.  If the nurse who starts an IV doesn't get it on the first try, they flatten out and it's a real nightmare trying to get a needle in.

Oh man I have the same problem on my other arm, that's why I dread going to ER because I always get stuck multiple times to draw blood. The problem with me is my veins move.

[cayleighrose]

My husband has the same problem with his veins rolling around. It's impossible to get an IV in him. He has two fistulas one in each arm. He got the first one right after he started dialysis and used it about 3 years before they figured out that it wasn't working properly. Despite the fact that he hasn't used it in a while it is still huge. The new one is much flatter and not as bumpy as the old one. Having the two fistulas makes blood pressure a nightmare, I don't think we will ever really know what his blood pressure is again.

Stacey

[Epoman]

My husband has the same problem with his veins rolling around. It's impossible to get an IV in him. He has two fistulas one in each arm. He got the first one right after he started dialysis and used it about 3 years before they figured out that it wasn't working properly. Despite the fact that he hasn't used it in a while it is still huge. The new one is much flatter and not as bumpy as the old one. Having the two fistulas makes blood pressure a nightmare, I don't think we will ever really know what his blood pressure is again.

Stacey

Yeah my veins roll too and they are very hard to find. My non access arm is very hard to stick. I hate going to E.R. because that is the FIRST thing they do, start and IV and they always have a hard time finding it. But I will only let a nurse stick me a couple of times before I say STOP get someone else in here. Some nurses couldn't stick a needle in a water hose.

So do they take his blood pressure on his ankle? I know it's not as accurate but it's close.

[oldborris]

In my case the question should be: How small is your fistula?

My nine year old fistula is, I'm happy to report is, like Tom Thumb, small but perfectly fomed.

But, on the other hand [not my other hand, you understand, but on the hand or, rather arm, of the person to whom, if you give me half a chance, I propose to allude] there is a Turkish chap in my unit whose fistula looks like a python that has wrapped itself around his arm in the middle of which you can see the two mice [mouses?] the python has just swallowed.

He is immensely proud of it and shows it off to the customers in the Turkish restaurant he owns in London. I've suggested he submits it to the Guinness Book of Records.

[Bajanne]

This gave me a great laugh this morning!!

[okarol]

...there is a Turkish chap in my unit whose fistula looks like a python that has wrapped itself around his arm in the middle of which you can see the two mice [mouses?] the python has just swallowed.

He is immensely proud of it and shows it off to the customers in the Turkish restaurant he owns in London. I've suggested he submits it to the Guinness Book of Records.

Funny description! LOL size matters?