I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: cookie2008 on September 17, 2008, 04:43:23 PM

Title: access problems
Post by: cookie2008 on September 17, 2008, 04:43:23 PM
I had mapping on both my arms and they chose the upper part of my right arm i had three operations by two different vascular surgeons and they failed the second surgeon said when he touched my vein it spasmed and closed off. They put in a permacath 2 months ago and now I need it replaced my center told me to talk to the new surgeon about my arm again for their opinion.
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: monrein on September 17, 2008, 05:23:42 PM
What a rough time you've had.  Can you try to get a referral to the BEST vascular surgeon nearest you, even if you have to go some to get to them??  I'm really hoping they find a solution for you and soon.  :grouphug;
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: Rerun on September 17, 2008, 06:59:06 PM
Try PD.  If not and you really want to live then go to your legs for a fistula.  I personally can't go there.  Dialysis is only as good as your access.  These people who use the same access for years are just damn lucky. 
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: cookie2008 on September 18, 2008, 04:46:13 PM
I already tried pd and couldnt do it the fluid caused plural effusion around my lungs spent 10 days in the hospital with that and infection. Today the doctor put in a new cathather and next week he is going to map and take pictures of my veins in both arms and my chest so we know what we have to work with this doctor only specializes in accesses.
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: monrein on September 18, 2008, 04:51:58 PM
I'm really hoping they can sort something out for you Cookie.  It's good that your surgeon specializes in vascular access surgery.  All the best and keep us updated OK.  :cuddle;
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: Lilu323 on September 20, 2008, 11:43:01 AM
i have a really good vascular surgeon in ny if youn need it.
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: cookie2008 on September 25, 2008, 01:31:30 PM
I had the venogram done today and i am going to see a highly recommended vascular surgeon, the vascular surgeon that did the procedure only repairs accesses.
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: willieandwinnie on September 25, 2008, 01:48:31 PM
I hope you get things resolved quickly.  :cuddle;
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: okarol on September 25, 2008, 05:57:30 PM


Good luck Cookie!  :cuddle;
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: G-Ma on September 25, 2008, 06:02:53 PM
 :grouphug;
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: Lilu323 on September 25, 2008, 07:35:35 PM
 :grouphug;
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: cookie2008 on November 06, 2008, 09:41:30 PM
I had my surgery on tuesday and my fistula is working. :bandance;
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: monrein on November 07, 2008, 03:46:48 AM
I'm so glad it's working cookie.  For me the trickiest thing about my fistula is not sleeping on that arm and cutting off the circulation.  Keep on letting us know how things go with it.  :flower;
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: willieandwinnie on November 07, 2008, 04:07:54 AM
 :2thumbsup; That is so good to hear cookie. Here's hoping you have no more probems.  :beer1;
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: cookie2008 on January 15, 2009, 06:50:52 PM
My fistual is doing good my doctor checked it and I had a narrowing and I had to have a fistualgram and fistualplasty last week we are using one needle and it is doing very well, next week we are going to use 2 needles and we are starting to form buttonholes because I am starting to train for NxStage home hemo in Feb. :bandance;
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: paddbear0000 on January 15, 2009, 09:43:21 PM
It sounds like things are going really well!  :yahoo;

I'm so glad it's working cookie.  For me the trickiest thing about my fistula is not sleeping on that arm and cutting off the circulation.  Keep on letting us know how things go with it.  :flower;

I think that's going to be my biggest concern too. The only way I can fall asleep is on my stomach with my arms crossed under my chest. It's an old layover from when I had a cyst on my spine. I had bad pain sleeping for months any way but on my stomach. Then I had surgery, and I still needed to lay on my stomach. I've never been able to adjust back to sleeping on my sides.
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: cookie2008 on January 15, 2009, 10:31:42 PM
Paddbear0000 my surgeon told me to treat my arm normal like i did before just no blood pressure and ivs.   
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: nursewratchet on January 16, 2009, 02:29:29 AM
 :bandance; :bandance; :bandance;  AAHHH, the BUZZ of a working fistula!  Music to my ears...
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: BRANDY on January 17, 2009, 04:28:07 PM
What is the buzz and what does it do.  what is a thrill.  i must know  I hear you talking about it but what is it?  I repeated myself
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: monrein on January 17, 2009, 05:09:53 PM
The thrill (or buzz) is the feel of a working fistula, the blood pumping through the vein which now has arterial blood rushing through it.  A real thrill to touch and know it's working well.  The "bruit" (french for noise) is the sound it makes when you put your ear to it, a whooshing pumping sound.  Music to our access-dependent ears!!
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: BRANDY on January 18, 2009, 08:05:55 PM
So if you dont hear it something is wrong?
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: kitkatz on January 18, 2009, 08:28:46 PM
If you don't hear it it means the access is going bye bye. Time for an ER visit.
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: cookie2008 on January 25, 2009, 05:56:52 AM
Well I had a fistulagram and fistulaplasty done two weeks ago, I had a narrowing the Doc said its looks good and sounds good. I went for a checkup thursday and I was told now I need it raised its to deep.
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: cookie2008 on February 11, 2009, 05:57:09 AM
I went and the doc checked my fistula again and he is letting the most experienced nurse at the unit place my second needle if any problems we will have to have it raised so everything is going good arterial needle is 15 gauge and the venous needle we have used a 17 gauge for 3 treatments everything went well so today we are going to use a 16 gauge needle.
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: cookie2008 on February 19, 2009, 02:45:01 PM
Well we are using 15 gauge needles now and they have to use the longer ones but I am so happy after what I have been thru. Yesterday I had my permacath removed and I took my first shower since July 08 and it was wonderful.
Once my fistula gets more mature I will begin training for nxstage. :yahoo;
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: 2_DallasCowboys on February 19, 2009, 03:04:04 PM
Hi, Cookie

I was very happy to read that your fistula is working
so well, may it continue for a long, long time.

I know how  great that shower must have felt, my
hubby said his first shower after a chest cath for
over a year was wonderful!  :clap; :clap; :clap;

Anne
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: cookie2008 on March 09, 2009, 08:10:35 PM
Tuesday last week the doc did another fistulagram and there was two more narrowings. My arm is still all bruised and swollen and having problems with my venous needle, today it took four tries so I was poked 5 times all together  :'(. Once it was in no problems with the rest of the treatment
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: cookie2008 on June 02, 2009, 05:41:53 PM
On 5/21 the surgeon performed a revision on my fistula its right to the surface now he also put in a permacath while the fistula heals. I have my stitches out on thursday 6/4. Its an ugly cut from my elbow to my shoulder but in the long run its worth it.
Title: Re: access problems
Post by: cookie2008 on July 20, 2009, 07:55:58 PM
My fistula is healed and we are going to start using it again tomorrow, we will start again with 17 gauge needles and work are way up to 15 gauge, then we will start over on the buttonhole technique. Hopefully I will get this permacath out in a couple of weeks.