Fistula keeps recirculating toxins

[skyedogrocks]

Rob's found out today that his blood isn't getting cleaned fully through dialysis due to his fistula.  The norm for recirculating the uncleaned blood is supposed to be 5%, Rob is at 30%.  Which means he's not getting all the toxins out.  Which means his fistula is crap.  Has anyone had this issue?  Was there a way to get it fixed besides another fistula? 

He had another fistula put in his upper arm in March, but due to too much scar tissue it won't work.  Great, 2 bad fistulas.  Now his Vascular surgeon wants to put another fistula in his right arm along with a perma cath till it matures.  Problem is, Rob had about 5 caths over the course of 6 months due to numerous infections.  He is so afraid of doing another one.  He wanted to see if they can put a Jump Graft in his arm, but the surgeon is against this saying they aren't the best.  Has anyone had luck with these?

I want him to get a 2nd opinion, see if there is anything that can be done to save either one of these fistulas.  Rob hasn't even been on dialysis 2 years and he has had all these issues.  I feel so bad, he never gets down and he is so down in the dumps today.  I hate these stupid issues!   

[paris]

I am so sorry for both of you.  He certainly has had his share of problems with fistulas.  I hope they can find a good solution for him.

[Black]

Dang, that's not good news. 

Is it possible that simply placing the needle holes, or needle tips, farther apart, or reversing the flow lines would help enough to avoid another surgery?  Under the circumstances, I sure would ask for every option available and try them all before going for another surgery.

[keefer51]

My fistula is in my upper left arm. I get the best dialysis if they put one needle up and one needle down. I have allot of pain with my fistula but it does work.

[ILOVEFLUID]

In my first two years of dialysis, I had 23 lines, 1 fistula that never worked and 1 graft that never worked.  Finally, I got an upper arm fistula, used it 6 times and then got a transplant.  The transplant failed after 5 years and I have been using that same fistula for the last two years and it has been great.  But Good Lord did I go through a lot to finally get one that works well.

[2_DallasCowboys]

Hi,
I don't want to sound bossy here, and I do not
know what your feelings are about his vascular guy,
but I would definitely think about getting another
opinion.
My husband had two fistulas placed, niether of which
took.  We went to a surgeon in Phila, one who
only does fistulas for people who have had problems-
he is not using it yet, but the thrill is very strong,
the surgeion had to go from his armpit down to his
elbow-but I guess you do what you have to.
He is still using a permacath, which had to be replaced
three times, not due to infection-the first one fell out-
the other two did not give enough flow.  Access is
so important, and any issues with it are so scarey.
I really suggest checking out a different Dr.

Anne

[bolta72]

Sky.... I would make an appt. with American Access Care, they are at 200 Boston Ave in Medford. The # is 781-391-1889.             


                        http://www.aac-llc.com/company.html

[skyedogrocks]

Sky.... I would make an appt. with American Access Care, they are at 200 Boston Ave in Medford. The # is 781-391-1889.


 http://www.aac-llc.com/company.html

Thanks for the recommendation, I told Rob about this and it's not too far from us.  Do you have personal experience with them?

[skyedogrocks]

My fistula is in my upper left arm. I get the best dialysis if they put one needle up and one needle down. I have allot of pain with my fistula but it does work.

Did the center compare the up and down as opposed to both of them going in the same direction?  I told Rob about this, he's scared to put them down by himself, when he sees his nurse next week, he might have her teach him how to do this.

Thanks for the tips everyone, we are definitely going to get a 2nd opinion.  Rob doesn't want to go through another fistula surgery and catheter if he doesn't have to.  The 2nd opinion might tell us the same as his first dr, but at least we'll have more peace of mind.

[bolta72]

No experience with them on my part, but one of the head nurses came to our clinic with all sorts of good advice, seems like a good option for a 2nd opinion.

[Joe Paul]

My Neph told me that sometime "leaders" grow off of the fistula, causing bad clearances. What they do in that case is go in and clip the veins that are causing the fistula to re-circulate the bad blood. Hopefully it is not your fistula, and just something that can be repaired.

[kitkatz]

Been with a graft in my upper arm for six to eight years.

[Black]

Have ya'll decided what you're going to do next?  My thoughts are with you. 

[skyedogrocks]

We have an appointment on the 11th with the Access America center that Bolta shared.  I was able to talk to the Dr. there and let them know what is up with Rob.  It was very reassuring to talk to an actual Dr. and have her know what is going on.  We have hope that either fistula can be saved, it's not 100%, but there is still hope!

[Black]

  Good!  Sounds promising.

Isn't it wonderful how we help each other?!?  (Bill would be so proud of us.)