guess it's just my turn

[Riki]

In the last week or so, my nurses have been trying different spots to needle me.  I believe they said the reason was to avoid aneurysms, but I could be mistaken.  They really haven't had a whole lot of luck.  In once instance, it took 4 pokes to get 2 needles in, and on Friday, they ended up only getting one in.  As neat as watching the single needle setup is to me, it's probably not the ideal situation.  Today went a step further.  They tried a new spot (again) and was able to get blood back, since today was bloodwork day.  When she flushed the line with saline, it burned and I demanded she take the needle out and not fool with it, looking for the vessel again.  While she was holding the site, my arm swelled up the size of a baseball.  After that, they abandoned any hope of getting a needle in and sent me home.  So I've gone 3 days now without treatment, and it's not something I'd prefer to do again.  They're going to try single needle tomorrow. I hope they get it, because I certainly don't want to go another day without treatment.  I already feel like crap.  This experience has definitely taught me to never choose to miss a treatment.

[RichardMEL]

nasty stuff! sounds like your arm was infiltrated ("blown needle") because they pierced the wall of the vein/artery, and the blood leaked into the surrounding tissue(hence the swelling). Yeah, that is not a good outcome. It is true that they do like to avoid using the same spots* to stop creating large bumpy aneurysms. I have a couple already. It seems they stuffed up. I have had that happen and yes, it is NOT fun! 

* - using the same spots can work out if you did buttonholes with blunt needles. Is this not something they're prepared to do for you? It was discussed doing it for me, but since I already had the dam aneurysms they figured there wasn't much point. Maybe you could. Ask about it?!

[del]

Riki, I can't believe they didn't arrange for you to come in the next day to try the arm again instead of leaving you 3 days with no dialysis!!!  Have they even mentioned buttonholes??  It makes needling so much easier. We are in Newfoundland and buttonholing is a big thing here.  The unit that hubby used to go to has everybody that can have buttonholes using them.  Cuts down on the pan of needling as well.  Have you ever considered doing your own needles

[Hubbs]

Riki, get your ass to the ER, and let them fix you up, then i would file a complaint agents hem.  jeszz.. your not a rat were they just try something and put u back in your cage if it don't work.  I had 2 blown needles.. and it  hurt like hell, but it was my fault for moving my arm  the wrong way. i have 3 holes they switch too.   now that i'm aware of this hap-pinging..  waiting MY turn. LOL.. oh jezzzzzz

[RenalSurvivorDotCA]

Ouch! Riki! I know your pain well. I used to have days like that when a new trainee nurse (or someone i haven't had for months) tried to needle my arm.  Four needles later (8 counting the freezing shots) my arm hurt like hell and the next day looked like a beat-up pulp all bruised black and purple.

I asked to be trained to put my own needles in for consistency not only here but when I travel to other dialysis units. I've done pretty well; only missed a few times in the last 2 years. There was a time where i kept on missing and lost my confidence. The vascular nurse took me under her wing and showed me some skills. Now I'm a pro. I could work for them! LOL

When I was training, they asked me if I was sure i could do it...I said "I've been watching you guys do it for the last five years!"

[Riki]

it was 3 days because I'd been off for the weekend.  If they hadn't have had any issues, I would have only had 2 days, like normal.  I went back in on Tuesday and Wednesday for full treatments, so I'm back on track now... arm still hurts, though

[sullidog]

I've had my share too. I've got swelling in mine now because the tech stuck one of my insisions where they worked on my graft and it made the needle colaps, well no wonder you stuck an insision!
Troy

[Riki]

I'm getting mobility back in my arm. I can lift it over my head now. I couldn't do it yesterday.