Just discovered my graft is no longer working..

[goofynina]

To all those on PD who were previously on hemo,  is your graft still working?  i check on it daily and always felt the pulse and now i feel NOTHING, NADA, ZIP... 

[Black]

   What do you think happened?  Is that common for grafts to do that if they aren't used?

One possible ray of sunshine -- if the graft is in the lower arm, and if you need to switch back to hemo, there is a possibility the vein attached to the graft could be used for a natural A/V fistula, which be a huge improvement over a graft.

[NY2FL]

So sorry to hear goofynina...get to your surgeon ASAP.
 The longer you wait, the less the possibility of successful
de-clotting. Even though you don't need it now, you may
in the future, even if for temporary treaments.
Good luck, and let's know how things develop.

[goofynina]

Good point, i was just starting NOT to worry until i read your post and it is true, in case of an emergency i should have it working,  i will call my doc first thing in the am,  thanks for the heads up 

[Epoman]

Good point, i was just starting NOT to worry until i read your post and it is true, in case of an emergency i should have it working,  i will call my doc first thing in the am,  thanks for the heads up 

Yeah I would have it unclotted as soon as possible in case you need it in the future. 

[Sara]

Ooh that sucks.  Do they roto-rooter it out like they do for fistulas?  Good luck with your dr. tomorrow. 

[Rerun]

I agree with everyone.  You need to have it working as a back-up.  Let us know what they say?

Good Luck!

[kitkatz]

Goofy nina, you need to go tonight!  The ER.  Why?  Because the longer that clot sits there the more chance you have of parts of it breaking off and going somewhere else in the body! THey will see you and probably put you on blood thinners until morning surgery. My surgeon told me anytime the graft goes I go to ER immediately.  Take care of you, kiddo!

[charee]

Hope everything went ok at the ER, Did they get it working ? Mine fistula is only 2 weeks old I check it everyday hoping for that buzz, I hope it keeps on buzzing 

[babi68]

You need to get to the hospital or your clinic and tell them. The same thing happened to me when I was on PD. My blood pressure was getting too low which caused it to stop. I went in to get it de-clotted and didn't really understand why I needed to, until PD no longer worked for me and then I ended up back on hemo. Good luck with it all. Liz

[Joe Paul]

Good luck Goofynina, hope it will be OK with minimal hassle.

[Black]

Nina, What's happening?  Are you OK?

[Fox_nc]

Has anyone heard from goofynina?  Hope everything is ok.

[Rerun]

Bump   

Hey Goofynina?  What did you do??

[anja]

Hey, Goofynina, we miss you~  Where have you gone?  What did the docs do?  Thinking of you ...   Anja

[Epoman]

Has anyone heard from goofynina?  Hope everything is ok.

She is not on Skype either, if I do not hear from her by tomarrow I will give her house a call. Don't worry Susie is a fighter, I am sure she is fine.

- Epoman

[goofynina]

Hey Guys,  awwwww, i love you all so much, thanks for worrying about me,  i got a call into the dr. yesterday and never got a call back, grrrrrrrr, talked to my PD nurse and she said to just wait until they call, she was going to talk to Dr. too.  I have been getting sick since this weekend, weak stomach, heartburn so i spent most of the day and night in bed yesterday, i sure hope the doc sees me soon, not feeling too well.  I will post more when i hear from them, k,  I really do love you all 

[goofynina]

Well, Dr. doesnt seem to be too worried about my graft being clotted, i have an appt. to see him on Monday (13th)   

[Epoman]

Well, Dr. doesnt seem to be too worried about my graft being clotted, i have an appt. to see him on Monday (13th)   

That's because your doctor is an idiot, the longer it stays clotted the harder it is to De-Clott. He seems to think you will be on PD forever and not need the graft ever again. If you wait to long they may not be able to de-clott it.

[kitkatz]

I agree with the Epoman. Get it looked at sooner! Nag, nag, nag!

[Sara]

What ended up happening with your graft?

[goofynina]

Nothing,  my PD nurse told my Neph and he said "well, she doesnt need it right now so we dont have to worry about it"  so i took it as that and left it alone,   

[Epoman]

Nothing,  my PD nurse told my Neph and he said "well, she doesnt need it right now so we dont have to worry about it"  so i took it as that and left it alone,   

WHAT? Oh man shit like this really pisses me off. That doctor is a ASSHOLE! Susie. Well it's to late to de-clot it now most likely. So if you need to go back to hemo you will need a new access put in. DAMN it Susie why did you not fight.  I warned you, remember?

[kitkatz]

Oh man.  I agree with Epoman.  Shoulda, coulda, woulda!  Good luck with it!

[NY2FL]

That is absurd....letting a perfectly good access go without even an attempt at declotting.
Sorry if this has already been answered...is this a Fistula or a Graft?