I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: jollor on January 11, 2007, 06:24:44 AM

Title: Knot in arm
Post by: jollor on January 11, 2007, 06:24:44 AM

I was wanting to know if anybody has a knot in there arm from where they infiltrated you. I can feel a hard place in my arm and when they stuck me last night they went right through it. Hurt like the dickens too because the nurse had to keep pushing to get it in. Can anybody tell me what to do to avoid another one from developing? I definitly want let them stick me in that spot again. Also is there anything to help lessen the knot or make it go away? Thanks for all the help.

Title: Re: Knot in arm
Post by: angieskidney on January 11, 2007, 09:02:27 AM

hard to know exactly what the "knot" is without being there. it could be scar tissue .. if it is don't let them ever cannulate you in the same spot all the time (unless you have a buttonhole). They should be doing what is called the "ladder technique". Of course there are lots of people with more experience than me that can give you better advice. I have only been on HD for 18 months (was on PD before that).

Title: Re: Knot in arm
Post by: jollor on January 11, 2007, 03:39:01 PM

They do rotate the sticks. This knot seemed to appear after an infiltration.

Title: Re: Knot in arm
Post by: Rerun on January 11, 2007, 03:41:21 PM

Is it raised or flat?

Title: Re: Knot in arm
Post by: BigSky on January 11, 2007, 03:56:09 PM

If they infiltrated you most likely the knot is blood in the tissue.  If it is this, over a few days it will disperse and become a nice bruise.

Once had blood drawn and when they were done it looked like a golf ball where they had infiltrated the vein.

Title: Re: Knot in arm
Post by: jollor on January 11, 2007, 05:04:26 PM

The infiltration happened a few days back. I put ice on it after it happened. I was hoping it would have gone away by now but it's still there. Oddly enough I don't really bruise when they infiltrate me.

Title: Re: Knot in arm
Post by: jollor on January 11, 2007, 05:07:31 PM

I would say it's probably flat.

Title: Re: Knot in arm
Post by: angieskidney on January 12, 2007, 01:49:36 AM

Quote from: jollor on January 11, 2007, 05:04:26 PM

The infiltration happened a few days back. I put ice on it after it happened. I was hoping it would have gone away by now but it's still there. Oddly enough I don't really bruise when they infiltrate me.

For me if it is what I call a gooseegg it could take over a week to go away and I get delayed bruises. But you say it is flat? I don't know exactly what it is. Have you tried asking the nurse? Techs? Nephrologist?

Title: Re: Knot in arm
Post by: susie q on January 12, 2007, 04:30:58 PM

I got a goose egg today.. venus blew.. gonna be a huge bruise.. :(

Title: Re: Knot in arm
Post by: jollor on January 14, 2007, 05:07:23 PM

It seems to finally be getting better but for future reference how do you usually treat your infiltrations? How long do you keep ice on it? Do you apply heat at some point? I appreciate it.