Neph. has recommended in-center nocturnal dialysis...

[kellyt]

I saw my Neph today and my creatinine is at 8.  He's having me do another blood draw next Thursday and if it has not gone down I'll be starting dialysis.  Last Friday he had me stop a couple of meds, so he wants to to another blood draw just to see if anything shows differently off those meds.

After going back and reading Rerun's in-center nocturnal dialysis posts I think this might be the best for me.  I'm more nervous about the needle sticks than anything else.

Rerun, if you have any further words of wisdom on in-center hemo I would gladly listen!     You can even email if you like.  Do you use an numbing agents?

[paris]

Kelly, I know you have been preparing yourself for this time.  Thank goodness for this site so you can begin informed and ready.  I am sorry your creatinine has gone up.  But I am glad you had adventures this summer and enjoyed that time.    I'll keep hoping the number goes down on the next blood draw and you can hold off awhile longer.     

[monrein]

Kelly, I know this is easy for me to say but try to stay as cool and calm as possible about the needles.  There is some pain, sometimes , but it's over fast and as you build scar tissue the pain will lessen.  I used to practice pressing my fingernail into my skin (not on the fistula of course) as a way of experiencing the kind of pain a needle would cause and I could easily tolerate way more sharp pressure than caused by the needles.   Try to relax as much as you can.

I'd definitely try nocturnal because of how it would free up your days but mostly because of the benefits to our health and fewer dietary restrictions. 

I wish this time had not yet come for you but I hope you'll feel better when you start dumping those toxins.

[Bajanne]

I love the idea of nocturnal dialysis in-centre.  I wish it was offered here.  i would still have my job!
where the needles are concerned, i used to take lidocaine. However, though the needle is very small and there was hardly any pain as it went it, when the medication entered I got a good sting.  Also, the nurses told me that constant use of lidocaine hardens the skin.
so after the first few months, I take the needle with no numbing, I just grit my teeth and bare the momentary pain (it never lasts) and then everything is hunkydory!

[Ang]

hey  kelly,


i   would  do  in  centre  nocturnal  dialysis  if  it  was  available,try  mornings or  fternoons  first  if  you  can  so  you  can  check  everything  out and  see  if  the  nocturnal  is  for  you.
as  to  the  needles  i  use  emlar cream(lignocaine),  i  put  it  on  1.5/2 hours  before  needling  as  long  as  the  nurse  hits  the  right  spot  i  don't  generally  feel  a  thing.
after  a  few  weeks  or  so  it will(dialysis)  will   be  just  as  normal  as  having  breakfast.
try  not  to  stress  to  much,  it  just  the  unknown  for  now.
are  you  able  to  visit  your  local  dialysis  centre,see  how  it  all  works,ask  plenty  of  quesions.
information  is  more  power  to  you.
good  luck  with  it  all.

[kellyt]

Thanks everyone.

Yes, I was able to visit a Fesenius a few months ago.  It's not the particular center I'll be going to, though.  It's too far.  The one he has suggested I go to is about 2.5 to 3 miles from home.  He says he doesn't "see" patients there, but he "runs" the clinic somehow.        He highly recommends it.  I trust my Neph.  He's done nothing to hurt me so far.

Thanks again!  I've said it before and I'll say it again, I would be lost without this site!

[donnia]

kelly, I had soooo much to say that I emailed you

I always used the Lidocaine cream and it worked great!  I did not like the little Lidocaine shots cause to me they hurt too.  I would definately go visit the clinic you will be using.  It helps when you feel like you know someone on your first day. 

Get to know your machine... know what everything means.... I always had them turn the machine to face me so I could keep an eye on everything.

                                                  

[kellyt]

I got your long and very informative (and appreciated) email, Donnia.   As soon as my eyes stop burning (ha ha, just joking) I will respond.  Actually, I need to run a few errands and then I can come home and relax.

[twirl]

I use lidocaine and I hardly ever feel anything at all. Today, I did not realize when I was stuck. I do not look at the needles. I used the spray for a couple of months but that hurt. I place lidocaine on my arm and wrap in plastic wrap about an hour and 15 minutes before treatment.
I find without the lidocaine it hurts too much for me. I have no courage when it comes to needles. The lidocaine does not bother my skin.