Hi Everyone. I'm a newbie...

[kellyt]

Hi.  My name is Kelly and I was diagnosed with glomerulonephritis in the early 90's.  I'm getting a fistula placed in my left arm on Thursday and I'm extremely nervous.  I'm not nervous about the procedure, necessarily, but the aftermath.  How long does it take for he vien  to get big?  Is there anything you can slide over your arm that isn't too tight but that will a) protect your fistula/vien and b) hide your fistula/vien?  It's sad, really, but I'm concerned about the "looks" of it.  Can you guys and gals ease my mind.  Thanks so much.  I look forward to becoming friends with ya'll (yes, I'm from Texas).   




EDITED: Moved to proper section - Sluff/ Admin

[kellyt]

oops,  I spelled "vein" wrong.   

[Redbomb]

 

glad you found us.  Look forward to hearing from you.

[Joe Paul]

Welcome Kelly, good to have you aboard.

[Romona]

 

[MyssAnne]

Hi Kelly! Welcome aboard!  I don't know about  fistulas, hopefully someone who does will be able to answer your question!   

[angellady07]

A big welcome to you Kelly. I wish I could answer your fistula questions. I have a graft. There is wealth of information on this forum. A great place for support, comfort and friendship. I'm sending a hug to you in Texas.

[boxman55]

it takes about 3 months before it will be usable. as far as getting big, how big will depend on the job the surgeon does. it developes, gets bigger once you start using it. Mine is in my upper arm so even short sleeve shirts cover it pretty good...Boxman

[Sluff]

Best of luck on the Fistula surgery. Welcome to IHD Kelly,

Glad you found us, there is a lot of information and others experiences to read here, so feel free to read and post often.

Good luck and let us know how things go on Thursday.

Sluff/ Admin

[kellyt]

Thanks everyone.  I will definitely let you know how it goes.  The fact that I will have it for about a year before use is also weird, but I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Again, I look forward to chatting and getting to know everyone!

[donnia]

from one Texan to another!!!

I had a fistula done, but it clotted out pretty quickly, so I cant help ya there.  I am sure many others here can tho.

Oh... and CONGRATS!  You found the best board on the net!!!!

[Jill D.]

  Kelly! I was self conscious when I first got my fistula. Mine is on my lower arm - they went in at my wrist and that's where my scar is. I was afraid people would look at my wrist and think I was suicidal! I received my fistula in October 2005 and started using it in April 2006. The tech infiltrated (punctured the side wall of the vein) on my second dialysis run and I had an AWFUL bruise that I did not want anyone to see. For the most part that summer I didn't cover my arm unless I had bruises. You can wear long sleeves; just make sure they are not tight, or don't fit tight when you bend your elbow. I actually got the OK from my surgeon to play volleyball 2 months  after surgery. I put padding aroung my arm and taped it loosely and tried to favor my other arm slightly.

I only used my fistula for 8 months before I had my transplant, so it didn't get really huge. My arm is lumpy because of scar tissue and looks kinda gnarly, but I could care less what people think. If they do ask, I tell them what it's for and let them "feel the thrill" on my wrist. I point out that it kept me alive.

[kellyt]

Truly amazing, Jill!  Thanks so much.   I've read so much about "clotting" and the "thrill" I am getting more nervous.  My doctor told me that about 1/3 have to go back in for "stuff" (I can't remember exactly what he said) after getting a fistula.  I'm hoping that mine is non-eventful so to speak.  I just want to get it and forget about it until I need it.  I'm hoping to transplant soon.

Can someone explain the "thrill" to me?  Others can feel it as well?

Thanks again.

[goofynina]

Hey KellyT, welcome to ihatedialysis.com.  The thrill is just  the pulse you feel in the fistula, it is more of a vibrating pulse.  My nieces and nephews all got a kick out of feeling mine (they are so easily amused huh) lol,   Hope to get to hear more from you soon... and Good luck with everything...

Goofynina/Admin.

[lola]

 

[angela515]

 

[Jill D.]

My vascular surgeon explained the "thrill" this way: by attaching the section of artery to the vein, you are creating something like when you put your finger at the end of a garden hose. The blood is going from the smaller vein into the larger artery - that is the "thrill". Also you can feel and hear your pulse really well at that area. It's actually kind of funny to see people's reactions when I let them touch it. Some just totally freak and others want to keep touching it! (I just don't like anyone grabbing my arm.)

[RichardMEL]

g'day kellyt... welcome aboard.. glad you have dodged dialysis for so long!

I think 6-8 weeks is the absolute minimum before they can start using the fistula... be sure to do your exercises to strengthen the area if they're saying you may need to use the access soon!

[Laurie]

  Fellow Texan. Glad you found this site.

[tamara]

Hey Kellyt,

 

Great to see you here

See you  round the forum

Take Care Tamara xxx ooo 

[kellyt]

You guys just don't know how happy finding this sight makes me feel!  I know absolutely no one else with CKD.  I don't think anyone in my family or friends truly believe me when I tell them how tired I am (especially my darling husband).   It's great to have people to talk to.   

[paris]

Kellyt, I think we all feel that way about this site.  Finally someone understands what I feel like. It is hard to hear a healthy person complain that they are tired.  They have no idea. So, I come here to my safe place where people actually know what I am talking about.  I hope you enjoy it here too.  There are so many wonderful people here to help you through this journey.  You will never be alone

[Lulu]

Hi Kelly,
I don't know much about fistula's, as I will be doing PD. But, I do like to shoot archery (can't so much these days...), but I have this arm guard I use it might be helpful to cover and protect your arm. Here is a link:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=perf&id=0039407417625a&navCount=0&podId=0039407&parentId=cat20082&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=QW&rid=0180101070502&parentType=index&indexId=cat20082&hasJS=true

[Hawkeye]

Hello and 

[okarol]

  Hi Kelly!

It can be so lonely when no one really understands what you are going through. This site is good for patient's, but it's also great for caretakers and family members to learn more too!
Welcome - I wish you the best on Thursday!


okarol/moderator