The Blood Flow

[maritza0486]

Well, today I was stuck with 2 needles on my arm for the 3rd time already and it was not so bad except for the fact that although I was at only 270 flow, my arm was aching. Before that it was at 300 and the nurse had decreased it to prevent my arm from feeling achy and sore. I don't know. I dealt with it in the end because on friday I will be getting the medium needle stuck in me. So far, no problems with the flow and dialysis being done with the fistula, thank God. 

[effinxmandy]

You're really lucky not to have any problems, congrats!

The needles do ache at first, but I've had many patients tell me that after awhile when you put the needles in they don't even feel it anymore. I wish this was true for everyone!

You'll have to tell us know how you do with the 16g needles. Good Luck!

[monrein]

That aching is especially bad at first and I think it's partly because in the beginning when the fistula is still not fully mature we keep our arm super still and sometimes a little tense so that we don't disrupt the needles.  This aching is different than the quick pain of the needle stick.  Are you thinking of doing your own needles maritza?

[iketchum]

My arm would ache and the nurse lowered my blood temp a little to dilate the veins, she said. It seemed to help some.

[maritza0486]

Yeah, the needle sticking is not bad at all. It was just the aching I felt inside my arm (the veins). I honestly do not think I have the courage to stick a needle myself. Before the dialysis, I was doing aranesp injections but I always had my brother's girlfriend (studying to be a nurse) or my sister do it. Once, I tried doing it myself. I went to the bathroom when I was about to shower and sat on the toilet, naked (LOL), and was ready to inject my thigh. It took me a long 20 minutes for me to finally do it and when I was done, I was sweating immensely. It was a scary experience. I cannot imagine myself sticking myself by ME. I am so scared but I know it is better because only YOU know exactly where to go and how to do it. I guess that is somewhat considered the "buttonhole" technique...

[kitkatz]

My nerves love to put a toe down into where the needles go!  What fun, NOT! Then the arm aches all the way to the fingers and no relief in sight.  I find the one position where the arm is tolerable and try to stay there with it.  Sometimes the elbow goes numb.