Carers "learning" the ropes...

[LisaBart]

I'm hoping that this won't be a regular thing, but twice now when I have been with partner while they are hooking him up, I have had to walk out as I have felt
faint, ill, overwhelmed    I don't make a fuss, just say I am going to grab some water....yet last time I went out to the car and just cried....
It could be that the room is very warm, but I think both times, they have had difficulty putting the needles in place and the thought of this happening at home and the frustration of it...does this set me off?
He's been in the "home corner" a few times....I know they won't send him home until we are ok with it...but I just don't know if I am going to be ok with it
I'm sure you were all doubtful also in the beginning?

[Michael Murphy]

Just a quick reply from some one in the chair I have often felt the same if I see the needles going in.  However don't most home uses have the option on using blunts (needles without sharp ends) and button holes so it is much less of a nerve wracking process.

[LisaBart]

Well yes that makes sense...I have heard they use blunts and yes he will have button hole apparently. I guess I am just taking in a bit at a time....
sometimes I think they expect you to know it all, but its all a big learning curve isn't it.  I guess it will all fall into place when it''s meant to.
Thanks for reply

[obsidianom]

Dialysis is a very "by the book" experience. You follow the "protocol" on e step at a time .
Even as a doctor I started by just going with the instruction book from Nxstage, 1 step at a time . I used the book daily for several weeks until it became second nature. Everyone learns at thier own speed. The main thing is to just follow the list of procedures , one step ata time . It is the same each treatment. You repeat it over and over and it begins to make sense and become easier. Its all about repitition. over and over the same. -----   
It was scary  at first even for me with 25 years of medical practice. Dialysis is a whole new world. It will come to you .

[LisaBart]

Thanks so much

[Simon Dog]

I use blunts, but had a couple of occasions where I had to use a sharp and found doing it myself was less painful, and less nervewracking, than watching someone else do it.

Once you get home the clinic is there to help you.   I had a possible fistula problem after 145 at home treatments, and asked to go in-center for a few treatments just to be sure everything was OK, and I, was operating properly.  No problem, and my record of 100% self cannulation since training was preserved.   Just remember, don't hesitate to ask for some help from your support team if you have any problems at home.

Obsidianom is right about the book - I used the various checklists for a while after I got home until it became second nature.  Now, canulation, avoiding setup errors, and avoiding a clamping error is second nature.

[LisaBart]

Thanks Simon Dog... 

[PrimeTimer]

My husband self-cannulates but needs my hand to help guide his to the buttonholes and then I'm the one who removes the needles at the end of treatment. We've only been doing home-hemo since December 2013 and for us, needling is the most stressful part. For him, it is still somewhat painful and for me, I sweat over it so much that I wear a sweatband around my head (feel and look darn ridiculous only it's not funny like Richard Simmons). I use to be the sort of person who would literally run to help victims of car accidents or other freak occurrences that resulted in blood, exposed bones, extreme pain and screams while others stood too shocked and mortified and frozen in their tracks. So why I have so much anxiety when it comes to my husband's dialysis needles, I just do not understand. But the more we've done it, the less stressful it is. We've sort of gotten into a routine now or rather (and whether my husband realizes it or not) we have a little ritual of sorts..every day as he puts in his needles, he winces and groans, "I don't care what they said, even if it goes in like butter, it is STILL painful!!" And then I say "Yeah I know, they LIED!" And then we proceed with treatment. Same thing every time. So, it's sort of become our little ritual. What can I say? Big, fat needles are going to hurt and blood is scary! But, the more times you do it and are successful at it, the more confidence you build. I think it will always be stressful for us but not nearly as bad as it was those first few weeks er, months...I think there is a thread on here about some of the dumbest or most lame things people have done during treatments. Read that and you will see what everyone else has had to conquer. When it comes to dialysis, guess we all have something that must be conquered.     

I had a friend who went to school to be a paramedic but had a problem with fainting. I remember telling him that maybe he had to rethink his career. He did. I don't know how he overcame the fainting but he did and went on to become the paramedic that he wanted to be. For some, gagging, fainting or feeling ill is like a reflex and they just cannot control it. Somehow tho, my friend did and I think it may have had something to do with his strong desire to help others.

[Simon Dog]

Mainly for others considering home hemo - it isn't this bad for everyone.   I DIY and have a near total absence of pain, even on the rare occasion when I use a sharp in a virgin location.

[PrimeTimer]

Mainly for others considering home hemo - it isn't this bad for everyone.   I DIY and have a near total absence of pain, even on the rare occasion when I use a sharp in a virgin location.

It's kind of funny because there are some days when my husband has me "double-check" just to make sure he put the needle in right, meaning he did not feel any pain and so thinks that maybe the needle didn't go in. There are also times when he's asked "did you already take it out??", meaning that he didn't feel the needle being removed.

[obsidianom]

We use rotating sharps and my wife never has any pain. She barely feels the needles most of the time. I use a 16 guage for access and 15 for venous. I use short 3/5 inch needles. We have been doing this for 2 plus years.

[LisaBart]

Thank you everyone
I think we are still a little way off of home dialysis yet...his home corner place not yet available as the other man's transplant didn't work out sadly...
But this week the commercial vinyl goes down on the floor of my office here...may as well get something in place......and a good excuse to have a clean out