I'm about fed up!

[sullidog]

Sorry guys but I have to rant.
Lately, My access seems to be harder and harder to canulate. They can get in, but they have a heck of a time getting the needle to advance. No matter who tries it, it's the same result, even the person who use to get it can no longer get it on the first try. I have to get stuck about three times and then they have to kind of push the needle real hard to break through. They told me I have a lot of scarr tissue and that's why the needles aren't advancing, weird enough though when I am finally hooked up I run at my normal rate of 450 with no problems. They use to be able to stick hi for it to work, now they have to stick even hier, close to where it goes into the armpit for the needle to be able to advance easier where there's less scarr tissue. They are setting me up for my fourth, yes I said fourth fistulagram. I don't think there's going to be much they can do though because the thrill and bruit are strong, although not as strong as it was but still strong and I run my normal flow. I do notice though the bruit even though sounds strong it's starting to have a little crackling sound which I'm guessing that sound means it's starting to narrow? I discussed my concerns with my neph and he told me just to ride it out until my access is no longer working anymore. I'm frustrated with this graft and I don't know what to do and I get the same answer from every doctor, we fixed the narrowing and we can't find anything else wrong, the thing is this thing narrows every 6 weeks! Is there something that can be done? I'm tired of this! and the thing is they have to use such force to get the needle to break through the scarr tissue that it's painful even when on treatment. I would like to see these doctors canulate these things themselves! especially mine.
Thanks for letting me vent cause it had to come out! Canulation is just so painful for me anymore evven if I used cream I think it would still be painful!
Troy

[boswife]

This is just awful to think of.  Im truly sorry that you have it to "look forward" ( NOT!)  each time.  I have no suggestions, but i sure hope that something can be done for you as that would make it extra hard to force yourself to go.  This is what i  fear about  D.  It so far has been fairly tolerable, and still it's hard to deal with.  Im sending prayers, and glad you could at least vent.  I wish you comfort.. 

[MooseMom]

I cringed just reading this.  How unpleasant!!

[Riki]

I know what you mean.. it's not fun when they have to break through scar tissue.. I can feel when they've got a less scarred spot, and when they'd hit an over scarred spot.  Hurts like hell.  I'm lucky cuz my fistula is still new, only a year old, and it's still developing, so I've got lots of spots to try.  There's a vessel very close to the surface higher up on my arm than where they've been needling me that I think is going to be one of the better spots.  I can almost see it.  The nurse today said that she could hear the bruit right up into my shoulder

[KICKSTART]

Nah you are just being a big softie. I asked one of the nurses why some people are still in so much pain when the needles go in and she said .....a) for attention or b) because they are soft. Wouldnt you just love to get a big pair and stick them in her arm several times a week ! 

[MooseMom]

Nah you are just being a big softie. I asked one of the nurses why some people are still in so much pain when the needles go in and she said .....a) for attention or b) because they are soft. Wouldnt you just love to get a big pair and stick them in her arm several times a week ! 

OMG, what did you say to that?  Surely you didn't let that one go!  That's absolutely appalling!

[murf]

I was told never use any anesthetic as it causes scar tissue so when I was hemo, I always used emla cream. Does scarring build up no matter what you do? Also, have had some novice nurses who couldn't needle properly. On one occasion, after the fourth attempt, she announced that she is about to take lessons so she got better at it. Oh, my poor arm.