Going in for my Fistula... and I'm pissed!

[kiddykat]

The day after tomorrow I'm scheduled to have my Fistual done.  Ya know... there was one final place on my ravaged body that looked kind of normal... my forearms.  They are smooth, baby soft, graceful and a lovely color. NOT FOR LONG!   Heh... as if i didn't already have body issues, now I have to do this too. 

I know, I know... it has to be done.  My GFR is 14  and it really can't be postponed any longer.   I'm just a little frightened.  I've read most of the posts from other folks here at IHD... and I guess the procedure isn't so bad.   I'm just worried about the fact that I apparently have tiny veins (they can never find a vein to draw blood from and I end up having a butterfly done on the back of my hand).

The idea of a long incision  from my elbow to my armpit is terrifying.  I hope I don't need that.  And what if they can't do the Fistual?  Then I have to have a "graft"?   Whats that all about??   

And whats all this "buzzing" about?  Can I be "buzzed" while I'm buzzing??     I used to smoke pot occassionally...  will that help with any of the side effects of Dialysis??     Can other  people hear the buzzing??  I supposed I could pretend to swat a pesky bee away or something!?

What about Button Holes?  Why would I get those? 

Argh!!  Can't we get on with all that stem cell research and start farming new Kidneys???   Maybe they'll have designer Kidneys?  "I'd like a Paris Hilton Kidney, please".  Surely if we can send pictures back from Mars... we can improve on this whole dialysis stuff and get new Kidneys from "KidneyMart" or "Kidneys-R-Us".   Sheesh.

Seriously... any advice before I get my Fistula?   It's a more invasive procedure then I thought... and I'm once again back to my familiar state of  FREAKED OUT! 

[RichardMEL]

My advice is: "DON'T PANIC!!!"

First of all the buzz ("thrill") isn't something you can hear! It's not like a vibrator in your arm... well OK it is sort of lol but it's not audible.. You can FELL it if you put your finger over the join spot, but it's pretty small (but important!) but not something anyone else needs to worry about or even know about - though it makes a great parloud trick and freaks friends and relatives out!!!

As for disfiguring your arm.. Well yes, your arm will change from the procedure.. ther's no denying that... but as you say it's something you're going to need. The good news is the procedure is a diddle. Honestly it's relatively minor and pretty much painless in terms of when you wake up post op. I didn't feel anything much.

The thing to remember is the fistula is the BEST form of access to have for dialysis and will hopefully stand you in stead for years (hoping you don't need it for that long of course).

Try to not panic about it. It's a scary prospect I understand but you will be fine I am sure.

Hang in there!

[drinkboy]

I must say, you certainly have a good sense of humor about all this, and that's a must.  It always inspires me when people keep an upbeat attitude and can bring some levity to a serious situation.   Getting a fistula will take a little getting used to and your arm will look different but as Richard said, the procedure should go smoothly and it you shouldn't have much pain or any problems. Try not to worry too much and stay positive and you're going to be fine   

Good luck

[peleroja]

You can't do PD?  At least it would be invisible!  Just a thought.

[paul.karen]

Good luck

And you have kidney failure i say light it up and enjoy 

[G-Ma]

Good Luck

[Romona]

Good Luck! I hope all goes well. I love your humor.

[qwerty]

What's funny is our nephrologist recommends "lighting up" to most of our patients!!!! Especially those with no appetite and frequent nausea. I have a little 92y/o woman come in the other day telling the staff "I cant find none of that Pot stuff Dr.*** told me to get!" Jeez he'll have this little lady busted yet lol. If you do dont tell the transplant evaluators. My last pt that owned up to smoking got turned down solely on that basis and he has a perfect living donor match. Sad to say that they can turn you down for what the doc even recommends.

[kidney4traci]

My surgery wasn't bad, as far as surgery goes.  Did have bruising, but went away as you would expect.  I have used the same fistula for 4 years now.  I started using buttonholes about 18 months ago, and wished I had from the start.  Less wear and tear on youre arm, and stats say it is better for the fisula too.  Look up the threads on it, or feel free to pm me.  As for the thrill, it is not noticable, unless I put my arm by the pillow.  By careful not to sleep on it, it could stop it.  The thrill is your life line, you WANT to feel it!  Good luck.

[Lucinda]

Fistula us far less invasive than a graft so hopefully you will be able to have the fistula.  But if not, I have a graft and it really isn't too bad.  I'm not using mine yet but I had to have it changed a number of times already but the scars fade really quickly and it doesn't look nearly as bad as you are expecting.  I hope the surgery goes well. Good luck. xx