? about fistula

[BRANDY]

When you get your fistula , you are told to squeeze a ball.  I did this at first , it grew some , I have quit squeezing so much and fistula seems  smaller than it was  ,  Have I hurt it by not squeezing all the time.  Will it get larger if I start  squeezing again. How long do we need to squeeze.  I am not to see my neph for a month. Can someone shed some light on my questions.?

[Rerun]

Yes, squeeze the ball everytime you think about it.  It strengthens the vein. 

               

[Wallyz]

Exercising the hand keeps the fistula growing and the vein walls healthy. You want  good sized, strong walled fistula for easy sticks and healthy dialyzing.

[LightLizard]

and don't  forget to check for the 'buzz' on a regular basis! if it disappears, notify your medical team immediately.

[thegrammalady]

many people do squeeze, however my surgeon said he wasn't convinced it did any good. i never did and haven't had any problems.

[monrein]

I was told that the squeezing exercises are beneficial for a forearm fistula but far less so for an upper arm one.  I was told that it was unnecessary  for me the second time around but I did do them for my first one in my forearm.  It wouldn't hurt however to do the squeezing and not doing them wouldn't harm either I don't think, but the exercises can help the fistula to become bigger and stronger in less time, especially in the forearm where the vein is smaller.

[BRANDY]

thank you for all of your  replies. I was worried that I may have  damaged my fistula by not doing my exercises.  I have  started them back since I wrote this thread, It seems to already be helping.  I guess I was worried for nothing.  thanks  again 

[RightSide]

Call your surgeon and tell him that your fistula doesn't seem to be developing properly.  He'll squeeze (no pun intended) you into his schedule.

It's a good thing I did that with my own fistula--because my surgeon told me that if it doesn't develop better over the next month, I'll need revision surgery.