Worst night so far on dialysis

[mikey07840]

Tonight sucked. First stick had bad flow, clotted, and had to be removed. Second stick worked for about 30 seconds and then infiltrated very painfully. I still have my permacath. We connected to that. It was clotted. Needed to add altaplace and sit in the chair an extra 30 minutes. I was basically in tears for the first two hours. I took some xanax and that seemed to kick in at that point. I don't know how much longer i can deal with this crappy fistula. It seems to infiltrate every other time. Sorry for the rant, but I needed to blow off some steam.

[Wallyz]

It's not necessarily the fistula that is crappy.  Ask for the person that teaching sticking at your center, develop a plan with her (it usually is a woman) and them try.

[Jess21]

  Mikey
Wallyz is right..it may be the techs sticking.  I went to a clinic that didn't know anything about buttonholes...they never had a patient with them.  During that about 6 months, I vary rarely got stuck twice, normally about 4 times to get dialysis working, clotted many a needle, clotted machine twice, ended up at the access center twice.  Went back to my previous center, had absolute clear sailing.  Make sure you inquire about who is sticking you!

[okarol]

Awww Mikey, that's awful.
I agree, get a seasoned nurse to try the first time. And take xanax before you go.
Do they recommend aspirin to minimize clotting?
Best wishes 

[monrein]

So sorry to hear it's been so difficult Mikey.  I hope things get better and fast.   

[willowtreewren]

Never apologize for ranting. Isn't that what we are here for?

If we can't rant here, then where can we???

I understand how frustrating this is. 

Good advice has already been given. I hope that you can get this all sorted out. Will be thinking of you.

Aleta

[lizabee]

Sorry to hear about all the troubles, hopefully things will work better soon

[dwcrawford]

OMG yes, hand pick the nurse or tech that sticks you.  I had same problem until about 3 weeks ago when i got my doctors involved and  they  (we) raised all kinds of hell.  Now it is Viv or D or else nobody.  I feel for you.  That part is hell but amazing how it gets better as soon as  you get someone who knows what they are doing.  Good Luck. 

[KICKSTART]

Hmm i ve got all this to come , so i feel for you going through it. I hope you can pick someone you trust to put the needles in for you , we dont get that choice !

[okarol]

How are you doing Mikey? 

[Lillupie]

What? What do you mean you dont have a choice of who sticks you?? THAt is insane?? I dont have a fistula. I have been on hemo, and know people on hemo that they only allow a certain person to stick them. I mean you are the one getting the needles and I think you have a right to choose the person who is there that you feel the most comfortable with. I mean all the techs have different levels of experience.

Lisa

[mikey07840]

Just an update: The fistula is doing much better, thanks. My last three treatments went well with both needles being used and no infiltrations. The nurse even showed me how to she spins the needle if needed. (If the lumen pushes against the wall of the vessel and causes the pressure to go up, she solves the problem by spinning the needle.)