Date and Time is set

[tiredandthirsty]

Just another update on my side.  I just received a call from the neph.  i have to report to the dialysis centre at 2:30 in the afternoon on Wednesday.  i specifically asked for the last time slot and for some reason i still ended up with the middle slot.  how the heck am i going to juggle work and this?  another bloody thing on my plate to sort out.  not that i already have enough.  let's see how it pans out.  i am going to fight for a slot in the evening. 

also, a quick question for all the experts.  i have been reading about this EMLA cream.  does it really help?  is it worth it?  or the needle stick is hyped up unnecessarily?  and the biggest question, does it really work.  where can i buy it?

[amanda100wilson]

I would definately recommend it.  It is prescription only, I think.

[Whamo]

Ask for lydocaine.   

[tiredandthirsty]

they can give you lidocaine for each treatment?  really?  i will certainly ask for that.  i KNOW that thing works.  thanks for the tip.

[cassandra]

try the spray (10%) though, it works, and better for the fistula.

[cattlekid]

I agree that the afternoon slot is not really good for us working folks.  I had it for a while when I was in-center, but I was fortunate in that my job can be done from anywhere there is an Internet connection.  I would bring my laptop to the center and work from there on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Unfortunately, the centers in my area did not offer evening shifts (grrrrr!!!!)  It was for that reason that I made the switch to NxStage and now do my treatments at home on my own schedule.

As far as the needles go, have you talked to the dialysis center staff about self-cannulating and will they be establishing buttonholes for you?  Personally, I have found that self-cannulating goes a long way to minimizing the "needle" aspect of dialysis.

[Traveller1947]

All the best to you, t&t, as you start your new life on dialysis.  Here's hoping that you'll start to feel better almost right away.  As to the time slot: it's troublesome that you couldn't get the shift that works best for you, but if there's  no chair available then, what can they do?  Just make sure the charge nurse knows what your preference is, so when a chair becomes available, it will go to you.  As for needle sticks:  with all you've been through, I don't really think you'll be too much bothered by the needle sticks and they do start you off with smaller needles.  If you're concerned though, ask your nephrologist for a prescription for lidocaine.  It does work.  I'll be keeping you in my thoughts on Wednesday and hoping that all goes smoothly.  A few more thoughts:  bring a blanket, your favorite music and some gum or hard candy.  You won't remember all their names at first, but try to get to know each of the people who care for you by name.  IThat way,if you need help, you can call someone's name, instead of just calling, "Nurse!".  Again, all the best.

[tiredandthirsty]

All the best to you, t&t, as you start your new life on dialysis.  Here's hoping that you'll start to feel better almost right away.  As to the time slot: it's troublesome that you couldn't get the shift that works best for you, but if there's  no chair available then, what can they do?  Just make sure the charge nurse knows what your preference is, so when a chair becomes available, it will go to you.  As for needle sticks:  with all you've been through, I don't really think you'll be too much bothered by the needle sticks and they do start you off with smaller needles.  If you're concerned though, ask your nephrologist for a prescription for lidocaine.  It does work.  I'll be keeping you in my thoughts on Wednesday and hoping that all goes smoothly.  A few more thoughts:  bring a blanket, your favorite music and some gum or hard candy.  You won't remember all their names at first, but try to get to know each of the people who care for you by name.  IThat way,if you need help, you can call someone's name, instead of just calling, "Nurse!".  Again, all the best.

Great advice Traveller....thanks a lot.  i will keep that in mind on wednesday and thanks for keeping me in your thoughts.  i really appreciate it.

[tiredandthirsty]

cassandra:  What spray is this you mention?  lidocaine?

cattlekid:  i haven't talked to the centre at all yet.  i just received a call from my nephro (he is going to out of country on vacation tomorrow) yesterday night and said be there at 2:30 wednesday.  that's it.  for some paperwork and then the treatment. 

he did mention that the nurse will work with me in getting a slot that fits my schedule.  my job also allows me to work from anywhere as long as there is internet connectivity.  but i wonder if you can type with one hand effectively.  you are not supposed to move your arm while on the machine are you? 

[cattlekid]

That's a good question - I would think it would depend on the fistula placement.  Mine is in my upper left arm between my shoulder and my elbow.  Once the needles are in and the lines are taped down, I have limited movement of my arm, good enough for typing, holding a book, pressing buttons on the machine, etc. 

When I was in-center, I had a catheter for the entire time so I never have done any heavy-duty typing.  My biggest issue with doing in-center and working was that after about two hours on the machine, I was so exhausted that I could barely stay awake.  The last two hours, I just vegged.

cattlekid:  i haven't talked to the centre at all yet.  i just received a call from my nephro (he is going to out of country on vacation tomorrow) yesterday night and said be there at 2:30 wednesday.  that's it.  for some paperwork and then the treatment. 

he did mention that the nurse will work with me in getting a slot that fits my schedule.  my job also allows me to work from anywhere as long as there is internet connectivity.  but i wonder if you can type with one hand effectively.  you are not supposed to move your arm while on the machine are you?

[tiredandthirsty]

cattlekid:  mine is on my wrist.  left.  i am going to( try and work with only one hand.   but first i need to find out if they even have wifi at the centre.  if not i will have to use my mifi card.  which is not very fast :-(

[MooseMom]

For years now, I have imagined what I would feel like when I knew that starting dialysis is just days away.  The best defense against utter terror and anxiety is to be as prepared as possible, and it seems you have done just that.  You've no doubt read about others' experiences on their first day; I know I have.  But I still am not sure you can completely prepare yourself emotionally and psychologically for such a huge change in your life.  So I have resolved that when it is my time to start, I will not overwhelm myself (sounds good but is that possible? LOL!) but that instead, I will take each day as it comes and let my personal experiences guide me.

There are many people who faff about with the emla cream, but I am a lazy toad and probably won't start out using it.  You have to apply it an hour before cannulation, blah blah blah.  I hear the needle sticks w/ lidocaine can cause fistula damage because, let's face it, it's STILL using needles.  I plan to use button holes eventually and to learn self cannulation; it makes sense to me that this will result in less pain and damage.  I plan to just put up with the discomfort of the needles at first and if I see that I really can't stand it, THEN I'll use some type of pain relief.  There are plenty of people who don't use any creams or sprays, so it CAN be done.

I type with one hand on my Nook because the keyboard is so small; I can't claim to type quickly, but with practice, my Nook one-handed typing has improved dramatically.  Isn't there some voice recognition software?  I'm sure there must be someone around who types while on D; hopefully there is an answer to this.

I don't have any answers for you and won't pretend to, but I did want to tell you that I am thinking of you and hoping that D will improve your life.  I keep reminding myself that this is an evolutionary process.  Many hundreds of thousands of people have lived with dialysis, and I'm sure you and I can, too.  The first day will be just and only that...the first day.  The first day will be monumental, but chances are the 50th day will be merely routine, and that's pretty much the goal.

The goal is to feel better and to make your body healthier; if you can do that, then I'm sure that everything will fall into place.

All the best to you, and I'd really appreciate an update once you are home on Wednesday (but only if you are willing).  Take good care of yourself.

[tiredandthirsty]

of course MooseMom, i will provide an update as soon as i can.  if they have wifi, i might even provide a "real-time" update :-). 

the level of anxiety is low right now even though it is now less than 24 hours to go.  i don't feel as afraid, seems like my mind has accepted the idea.  let's see how the rest of the day progresses. 

[cassandra]

dear T&T yes it is Lidocain spray 10%. On the box it says Xylocaine. You just spray it all over your fistula or where you want them to stick you, after you've washed your arm. By the time your arm is sterilized before needling it works. (you still feel it, but nowhere near as much as without)

Good luck, love Cas

[tiredandthirsty]

hi cassandra, thanks for the info...i checked the CVS pharmacy and Walgreens pharmacy website and this type of spray is not available with them!  do i need a prescription for this? 

D-Day is here.  4 and a half hours to go.  anxiety level is the same as last night.  maybe a little bit more.  just kicked in while i am writing this.  Please God, watch over me.  be kind as you always are. thank you.

[Whamo]

At my kidney center they don't give you a spray.  They give you a shot of lydocaine.  I don't know the spelling, just the sound.  It's with a tiny needle so it doesn't hurt too much   It's when those big needles go in, and miss, that hurts.

[cassandra]

sorry, too late for your first session, but I Googled Xylocaine spray in US, and several sites do offer it on line.
I hope all went okay this first time,

good luck for next time, love Cas

[lmunchkin]

How was your first day TNT?  Did everything go alright?  Just wondering, cause we havent heard anything!!  I know you had to have been a bundle of nerves!

Thinking of you and please let us know,
lmunchkin
 

[Traveller1947]

Still keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, t&t.  As always, all the best to you.

[tiredandthirsty]

lmunchkin:  sorry for the delay.  last two days have been a bit hectic.  i just posted an update. 

traveller1947:  thanks a lot traveller. i really appreciate it.  your prayers are most likely the reason i didn't have many problems on the first day.  thank you :-)