My arm is swollen

[BigDadii]

My right arm holds my fistula. I have had it for 11 years and it still works, but my right arm is bigger than my left. It has been swollen over three year now. I have had three fistulagram to no avail. Is there anyone else out there that is suffering from the same problem or have had this problem fixed. I am due for another fistulagram at the end of this month. Even the Dr. told me once he doesn't want to work on this anymore. Anybody have any words of wisdom

[cassandra]

Hi BD yeah my fistula arm is about twice the size of my 'normal' arm. It's because there's a narrowing somewhere (probably difficult /imposs to balloon).
Mine is still working too after 18 years. You have collateral veins (side branches of fistula) too?


Love, luck and strength, Cas

[BigDadii]

  Well I'm going back to the surgeon to have another fistulagram on Thurs. Hopefully this time , just maybe, it will work. I hope I don't have another allergic reaction to the dye.

[cassandra]

Hi BD make sure you remind them of your allergic reaction before you go in, they can use different dyes.
I'm having a plasti on Thursday too. And it IS going to work! It MUST work, and we are going to be POSITIVE.

 


Good luck, love and strength, Cas

[Charlie B53]

I don't know about arms, but for my heart and legs, when the Dr's do those dye scans instead of using dyes that can hurt what little is left of my kidneys, they use co2.   I was initially frightened at the thought of them filling my veins with gas but they tell me it ain't no thing.   co2 is readily absorbed and simply blown off breathing.  It is dispelled through the lungs normally with every breath.

WOW!     Someone had a great idea!

It isn't always used for every procedure, some they do have to resort to dyes, but they do have a selection of dyes, different types and different strengths.

I wasn't aware that some could have an allergy to the dye so it is imperative that you remind them of any allergy, just to be sure.

[SutureSelf]

 Well I'm going back to the surgeon to have another fistulagram on Thurs. Hopefully this time , just maybe, it will work. I hope I don't have another allergic reaction to the dye.

I've been allergic to certain contrast dyes (I break out in hives and horrible itching) since a kid, but don't know which one(s).  I always tell the MD/Nurses that before any procedure is done that calls for a dye.  As a precaution, I'm given IV prednisone and benedryl before being wheeled into the procedure room.  I have never experienced a bad reaction.

[BigDadii]

Hey y'all I had the procedure. Told them about my allergy and they gave me prednisone which shot my sugar levels up sky high and I still had a reaction just like last time. So they kept me over night for observation. then I waited all day to be dialyzed. The arm looks a little smaller. Thanks for all the advice
Love y'all

[Whamo]

I'm glad you're seeing improvement.  I saw some nasty things when I did hemo for two years.  I do CUST now, it's easier on the body.  Most of the hemo patients at my center are new.  It makes me wonder what happened to all the oldies?






sp mod Cas

[Lis]

I'm glad you're seeing improvement.  I saw some nasty things when I did hemo for two years.  I do CUST now, it's easier on the body.  Most of the hemo patients at my center are new.  It makes me wonder what happened to all the oldies?

Hi. Just curious. What is CUST? 



sp mod Cas