I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: Pre-Dialysis => Topic started by: woodsman on June 13, 2011, 01:46:44 PM
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Well folks after decades of fighting off this kidney failure i begin dialysis at 6am tomorrow morning. I am so not looking forward to this day but i have little choice. I always thought it would hold off another year then another but now the time has come for me to man up and get this thing done. The thought of sitting in that chair for 3+ hrs drives me nuts when i could be doing thinsg around the house. I fear these things will not get done as i will have limited time with working/driving 120 miles to and from work/ sleeping, it really limits my time working my 11 acres.... I don't even know what i should wear? something comfy? dress pants and shirt so i don't look like a bum... do i take my pills and potassium binder no one has said. What did you do the first time???
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I don't have any practical advice, but I wanted to tell you that I...well, I don't know what to say. I'm pretty much in the same boat as you are in, and I guess that soon I will be where you are tomorrow, so I have all the sympathy in the world for you.
Many people have told me that the reality of D is not nearly as bad as the anticipation of it, so I will pass that on to you in an effort to say something of value.
Good luck. If you have the time and the inclination, please do report back to us about how it all went. :cuddle;
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Wear comfy clothes that allow access to your access! :2thumbsup;
Take a blanket, too. Dialysis cools you down and they keep the temps in the centers comfortable for the workers, not the patients!
Take a book to read or your iPod for music. In fact take anything you think you might need to occupy your time so you won't be sitting just thinking about having to sit there.
Carl found all sorts of ways to keep himself busy during dialysis. :thumbup;
Also, they will probably have you sign all sorts of papers. Make sure you know what you are signing and make them slow down if they are going too fast. In fact, I would ask for copies of everything you sign! They may not like that, but it really is your right to have copies.
I hope you start feeling better once your blood is getting cleaned of toxins. :2thumbsup;
I'll be thinking of you! :cuddle;
Aleta
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Good luck, woodsman !
I'll be thinking of you and keep my fingers crossed.
Best wishes from Kristina. :grouphug;
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Well woodsman, i wish no one had to do it but........... you'll be ok. REally, hubby's only issue was being away from me ;D so we finally brought him home and that solved that! Now, we miss the friendlyness of the center and our friends there so ya cant win for loosen. Make it the best ya can because it* is what it is*, and alot of it is attitude. I know my hardest part would be that same thing as you. My mind would be on all that needs/wants doing at home, but ya may just enjoy the 'time off' once you get used to the have to's of it. I wish you well, and am hoping to hear good feelings from you tomorow. Give yourself the liberty to settle with it and hopfully, it'll just make ya feel better, and thats a good thing :2thumbsup; All my best wishes and :pray; for a good/great start..
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Good luck woodsman! :grouphug; :grouphug;
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It will be cold so take a blanket or 2. If you have a catheter wear a button down shirt so they can get to it. If it is a fistula wear short sleeves. Take a book or a movie if you have a protable DVD player. Some places let you eat a snack and some don't. Take a small bottle of water. Take your cell phone.
Best of luck. I'm sorry you have to give in to this, but we want you around. :waving;
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Good Luck, Woodsman. We're with you in spirit. I've only visited in two dialysis units and I thought they were cold. I know that those machines can really heat up a room, so they keep the temp very low. :grouphug; Also, as mentioned above, I'm sure dialysis can mess with your body temp, as well. Once your body and mind adjusts to the time you'll get back in the swing of things. That is my prayer for you. :pray;
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I was scared my first time in ....I have never seen the inside of a D clinic.... take a blanket and something to read... Ipod.... but I know you will spend alot of time looking around and watching.... watch everything... relax.. and most of all try to sleep tonight........Good luck to you ...
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All I can say is Good luck my friend.
I had my IHD team as well looking after me and assisting me every step of the way. (just over 'n year ago)
We are here for you so hurry up and come and share your experience with us.
:flower;
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thinking of you....
xo,
R
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Hope all went well, Woodsman. I'm thinking of you. :grouphug;
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I thnk you wil be suprised how smoothlyit will go. It's always the fear of the unknown. After today, you wil lknow! Let us know how you made out.
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I hope you got on OK, it is scary stuff to start with but you will be fine, trust me.
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:cuddle; thinking of you woodsman!!!
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I made it through without a hitch. I must say that i was overwhelmed at first but all in all it was not as bad as i thought it would be. People were very nice both patients and staff place was spotless and COLD i will bring a blanket on thursday. I am at work now until midnight and i am so tired.......... OH i don't like them needles one bit!!!.. Thanks to you all for the support it's been a lifeline for me...
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:grouphug;
We TOLD you to take a blanket! :rofl;
Glad it went all right. Did you use cream to help with the needle sticks? And I hate to tell ya, but they started you out with the SMALL needles! :urcrazy;
Aleta
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I did not take a blanket but you can bet i will on thursday... I know they told me the needles were smaller to start but they sure don't look it... I do have some of that cream now and i will try that and see if it works.
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:clap; Im so glad that first one is over with. Still may be scarry for a bit, but at least you know whats commen. For hubbys start up, they did the lidocane shots to help out with the 'big' ones.. Was that not offered to you? He only used for a while as his 'new' friend (fello D guy) teased him about it so they laughed and challanged him and he found it to not be needed. We did use again when i started 'sticking' him for home hemo as i was soooooo scarred myself and so we figgured if i didnt have to watch him mabie hurt because i didnt know what i was doing, it may make me calmer. It did,,, sooooooo what im saying is, mabie you would want to give that a try for a bit till your more used to it??? Im so glad you have this place to talk too. Wish i had ben so blessed ;D will be looking forward to hearing your next 'run', and the tiredness at work will hopfully subside as well!! Im surprised ya didnt take it off at least the first time.. Geesh!! :beer1; Heres to the worst one down, and easier ones to come :2thumbsup;
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Oh, I've been waiting all day to see you back on the board with a full report. I am so glad that things went well in spite of the fact that, well, needles were involved. I knew you'd be terrific, so congratulations on getting through a very, very difficult day. I'm hoping that each time will get easier as you work out what your specific comfort needs are.
Thanks so much for coming on and telling us about your day. When will the needles get bigger? :o
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Definitely, wear something comfy, it ain't a fashion show! LOL! ;D
I watch a little TV, read a book, llisten to my mp3 player, have a visitor once in awhile, ---visitors, IF and I say IF family/ friends will come in and visit while youre on the machine (some people don't want to because its bothersome seeinga loved one like this) it definitely passes the time a heck of a lot quicker, at least that's been my experience.
Try to think of the positive-I used the time to read, listen to music/ to listen/talk to people that before I took for granted. Sitting for 4 hours has made me look on the positive side of things and to help me to think not so negatively.
The biggest hurdle is accepting. Once you get past that, it's so much easier. After being on dialysis almost a whole year, I kind of enjoy going in and talking to the nurses and staff, I get along with them pretty good and I enjoy them, I wouldn't have it any other way! :thumbup;
I wish you all the best! :grouphug;
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Really glad things went relatively well, Woodsman. Keep us posted.
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Boswife,
When Carl forgot the cream it FREAKED ME OUT! Eventually he just stopped using it (tough old bird :rofl;)
Moosemom, with Carl they used one size needle for a week before moving up to the next size. I imagine the protocols are a bit different in different clinics.
Cordelia, our clinic did not allow visitors in the dialysis area. :thumbdown; That would sure have been nice. Of course, as soon as possible we took the whole process home with NxStage.
Aleta
Aleta
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Oh, no, I'm so sorry to hear that visitors weren't allowed in your unit, Willow, friends and family support is vital, it's very much encouraged in my unit, it's a satellite unit and the atmosphere is just lovely. My Mom comes to visit me every Thursday, I look forward to it, it really helps to pass the last 1.5 hrs quicker. The social worker in the unit also likes to chat and I really enjoy her company too, sometimes we chat for over an hour. So if my Mom and the social worker come on the same day I know I'll sail through the morning much quicker! :thumbup;
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Welcome to the "club"
I am glad it went ok.
Just ask away. We (IHD) are here for you - as always.
SO PROUD OF YOU !!!!! :cheer:
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Hello again, woodsman,
I am so pleased your first D-session went reasonably well
and I do hope everything will go well in the future.
Best wishes from Kristina. :grouphug;
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Good news :2thumbsup; I'm keeping you in my thoughts.
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Very glad it went well for you. It should get even better (and the needles will get bigger). In my unit they use the smallest needles for abot 3 sessions, then the bigger ones for the same and then the biggest ones. I had lidocaine in the early days, but since that used to give me a sting anyway, I stopped that.
When is your next session? Don't forget your blanket!!
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hehe...willowtreewren, it freeked HUBBY out when i said i was ready to give it a go without it..hehe (we were doing the 'shot' and as i hate needles anyway, i figure two less of them would be good for me too ) After all, he "said" he was doing it for 'MY' benifit so after about 5 sticks, i was ok with it but now he was thinken he liked them..... I won, and it was fine from there without anything ;)
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I just wanted to report back after my first day and getting some much needed sleep.
aftyer day one, i got up today after sleeping almost 6 hrs and i feel so MUCH better i have some energy and i am not tired, short of breath and i actually feel younger if i amy say, is this possible??
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I just wanted to report back after my first day and getting some much needed sleep.
aftyer day one, i got up today after sleeping almost 6 hrs and i feel so MUCH better i have some energy and i am not tired, short of breath and i actually feel younger if i amy say, is this possible??
Well, that's the general idea. For all the inherent crappiness of dialysis, I guess the point is to make you feel BETTER! I often tell myself that if the only way I will be able to feel better is to have D, then I'll do it. Otherwise, there's no point.
Keep reporting back to us, OK? I'm hanging on your every word. I am so very happy that you are feeling younger! You've got that new grandpunkin to look after, ya know.
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Thanks very much for that, noahvale. It all sounds so complicated, but I guess as with most things, it will become second nature after a while. And that's when you have to make sure you don't get too complacent!
My fistula is now over a year old but so far has not been needed. Once I do need to start D, does the fact that it is not "new" give me any sort of itty bitty advantage at all? Will that make it easier to cannulate? Can I start preparing buttonholes immediately?
Again, thanks so much for the info. I appreciate you taking the time to post this.
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Woodsman, after Carl's first week of dialysis, he said that he felt 10 years younger! :2thumbsup;
He was very fortunate during his whole dialysis experience, no crashing, few food or fluid restrictions, and he felt GREAT!
There was that time inconvenience thing, though. :rofl;
Aleta
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*
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Yep, my fistula is in fab shape according to everyone I've shown it to!
And yep, I know that when to start dialysis is the $64,000 question. I see my neph every 2 months for complete labs, and so far I am pootling along. I have no edema and I am not anemic (which my neph simply can't explain). My neph has not recommended I start dialysis just yet. But you're right, noahvale, that it's not wise to let yourself morph into an emergency.
And good for you, woodsman, for giving yourself the chance to start D in a controlled fashion and not as an ER patient. It must have been tempting to just keep on slogging through for as long as possible. Keep us posted! I'm particularly interested on how you decide to spend your time on D. Do you think you'll spend most of the time watching something, listening to something or reading something? If you can keep your mind entertained, I imagine the whole experience is much more bearable. Do you intend staying in-clinic, or do you think you will ever try home hemo?
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Well after a fine 1st time treatment the walls came crashing down this morning at my 2nd time. My nurse infiltrated me and my forearm is now the size of popeyes. It appears she went in and back out and caused the bleeding inside my arm. I began to get a bit nervous when i seen my arm swelling up fast. She then removed on needle because nothing was flowing right and reinserted under the other needle that was already in.
I so wanted to bail and just keep running but i held my ground and while she apologized many times and said i was the 1st infiltration in over a year with her (yeah me). They did say that with my fistula being so new it takes time for it to thicken up. So here i am at work with only 2 hours of sleep and i'm here till midnight..... Now i know i will be black,blue green and some others but will this effect my sat D session
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Well, there's a surprise. ::) You know, we've heard so many infiltration stories here on IHD. Is there ANYONE here who has never been infiltrated?
I am so sorry to hear this. You must be in pain AND exhausted. I hope your nurse gave you instructions on at-home care for your arm to limit the pain and damage. What do you think will happen on Saturday? How does this affect that session?
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Doggone it!! and i dont know a bunch about infultration (hubby had only mild and i was upset about that but ..) and am wondering if you got to do your treatment??? When hubby got his, i cant even remember if they just went back to his cath for that treatment or what. It hasnt been that long (bout 2 years) so at least one thing, mabie this will fade from your memory soon as well. Im sure sorry that you had to go through this and hope you still got a treatment so at least you may feel better. Also, only one tech/he was a nurse actually, was aloud to canulate new patients for their first few months at our center and i thought that was very professional of them. He was great with patients too, and it was only once he was turned loose to the others that he got infultrated.. Well, i surly hope for better on sat... And wish you could get out of work for the eve!!
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I shudder at the thought of infiltration, it always sounds revolting. Here's a requote of the interesting gear Noahvale supplied earlier this thread, suddenly got more relevant:
[...]
ONLY INCREASE BF RATES IF NO EVIDENCE OF INFILTRATION OR OTHER PROBLEMS NOTED.
[...]
Infiltration instructions
If the fistula infiltrates, let it “rest” for one week and then go back to smaller gauge needles.
If the fistula infiltrates a second time, wait another two weeks and then go back to smaller gauge needles.
If the fistula infiltrates a third time, notify surgeon.
[...]
http://www.nwrenalnetwork.org/fist1st/oncoursewithcannulationbookletversion.pdf
Hope your arm isn't too colourful today and hope that's it for infiltrations: if everyone infiltrates, well, you've done yours now, had your infiltration. :cuddle;
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I'm not there yet as nephro is weighing whether to send me to vascular surgeon. I'm willing to go, and hearing these stories, I'd rather have a healed fistula in place for if and when I need dialysis. But looking at the bright side of infiltration, at least its not chemotherapy infiltration which gets really, really ugly.
Since swelling is getting worse w/o diet or liquid intake changes, and despite increasing Lasix to 120 mg/day from 40, I can see needles in my future, too. Creatinine and GFR not quite bad enough yet to require dialysis, and I can't wait (hahahaha) to have to recalibrate all the drugs I'm taking.
BTW, I had inflitration once during a blood donation. Loved the blue, indiigo, greenish and purple tints it gave me.
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No discolor yet but i know its coming, It is very sore today and i just wonder if i should allow them to try dialysis in the am, what if they do it again then what happens??.. Now i this to fear each time i visit.................. can this ruin my fistula??? my arm is rock hard today... and i just don't like it..
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No discolor yet but i know its coming, It is very sore today and i just wonder if i should allow them to try dialysis in the am, what if they do it again then what happens??.. Now i this to fear each time i visit.................. can this ruin my fistula??? my arm is rock hard today... and i just don't like it..
Just in case you missed it, noahvale posted some information on page two of this thread.
I'll be thinking of you tomorrow AM and will be watching for a post from you about what happened at your session. Do you think you have enough renal function that you could skip a session for more "healing time" if necessary without endangering your health?
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No discolor yet but i know its coming, It is very sore today and i just wonder if i should allow them to try dialysis in the am, what if they do it again then what happens??.. Now i this to fear each time i visit.................. can this ruin my fistula??? my arm is rock hard today... and i just don't like it..
Just in case you missed it, noahvale posted some information on page two of this thread.
I'll be thinking of you tomorrow AM and will be watching for a post from you about what happened at your session. Do you think you have enough renal function that you could skip a session for more "healing time" if necessary without endangering your health?
Yes MM i know i could do that i still P alot so something is still happening there. I just can't fathom the thought that they would miss again in the morning i don't think my arm could take the extra blood again. I was so happy after the first session and now this... dam them all... lol,,, Thank MM i will keep you posted....
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I was curious woodsman if they had the 'head' nurse canulate you? I know centers are different, but they had one specified to do 'virgin' fistulas at our center. I personally think thats extreamly important and!!! that even though your not starting button holes 'yet' (dont know if thats even a plan for you) the same "nurse" was to canulate for the first two months. NO one else got to touch bo's (hubbys) until then. What sucked is the second tech that did 'get' to have a go at it, did infultrate but it i believe was soooooooooo much less than if it had been in the beginning. Dang it anyway woodsman, to have such a good start made us all so happy, and you dont deserve now to wonder whats up next. Thinken you might talk to your neph real quic (before the weekend?) and see if ya ought do give it this weekend break (as already suggested ;D ) ? Sending best wishes for you.. Keep intouch.. :grouphug;
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He said they will check it before they try dialysis in the am and if its found to be a problem then no dialysis....
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I was infiltrated the second time too... When I started everything ran fine for the 2hours I was on... second time infiltrated .... Fourth time infiltrated.... My arm was so black and blue it was hard as a rock and hurt really bad... I had to quit going for a week to let it rest.... they didn't like that but hey its my arm...and since I just started it not like I had to been there... when I got back I ran fine but then I infiltrated just sitting there.... I had to be stuck roughly about 10 times before I quit infiltrating.. after two weeks we started button holes and after a couple of months with no infiltrations I started Nxstage training and started cannulating my self..... I have never infiltrated my self.... amazing.... I was told by many that new fistulas infiltrate.... and until they get toughen up that's the way things are.... But I had the same person develop my buttonholes which is a plus...she even came in on her days off just to stick me..... I love her.... I think that way its important not to start too late but start early so that if and when you are infiltrated you can rest and not do dialysis for a while.... the clinic doesn't like it cause they only get paid if you are in the chair.... I was threaten that I would loose my chair if I was not back in a week..... boy.... its all about the money....
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Oaky sat was another adventure in pain. They needed 3 nurses and 5 needles to get the 2nd needle in and working. They lifted me out of my chair 4 xs dong so. Arm was way sore and it continues today, tuesday will be another adventure... I hope they get it right the first time...
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GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY!!!!! You had 3 nurses trying to stick you? What did your neph tell you about not doing D since you still P? This is awful. I think they infiltrated my husband about 3 times while in-center. But he was not there very long before we came home with NxStage. I infiltrated him once the very first time! Now he is tough and says it was ok, but I think had I gone a littler farther, he might have experienced some discomfort.
You really need the head nurse or charge nurse to do you awhile, till your fistula gets better! Then once you get comfy with it oh say a month or so, check into this Nxstage at home. That is if you have a partner to help you!
Wishing better stickings in the future, gheeesee I certainly hope so!
lmunchkin :cheer:
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Woodsman, I have been thinking about you all weekend, and I am so so so sorry this has happened. You sounded so upbeat after your first session that I was hoping that you wouldn't have these screw-ups. What ended up happening on Saturday? Did you get a full session in, or did they just stop?
How is your arm doing right now? And how are you feeling overall (other than the obvious arm pain)?
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MM my arm continues to be sore. I did get full treatment on sat, and overall i feel much better like night and day for sure. I have more pep and i need no more naps during the day to get by. I held my grandson for hours fathers day and while i am having a bit of problems at dialysis i hope they get their shit together and just poke me twice and get on with it.
MY ARM today+
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/buckdropper/arm.jpg)
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4 treatment all all went well today, pressure was a bit high but she moved the needle around a bit and all was well.
Now i am back at work for another 12 hr shift then a 1.5hr drive home...
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Oh geez...that's a rather colorful image!
Well, it's really unfortunate that you were a victim of the dreaded infiltration, but hopefully that experience is in the past and you can now look ahead to better treatments and better health. As bad as it was, at least you are feeling well enough to work a 12 hour shift (I really don't know how you DO that!), and that is certainly saying something!
Thanks for the update. Keep 'em coming. I'm sure that everything will settle down into a nice routine for you.
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Thnaks MM i am working on 1 hour of sleep here and i can't wait to get home and sleep.
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Thanks for posting the picture - it's very educational (I'm sorry it came as the cost of your pain). I hope the treaments continue to treat you right - it's really encouraging to hear that. Enjoy a swim tomorrow!
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Great to hear some of whats going on is good :2thumbsup; Hopfully, your on your way to 'boaring' dialysis :clap; DANG 12 hr shifts... take care driving home.. Cut yourself some slack and get some rest huh??!!!!!! Glad ya can do it but heck, take care!
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I have 2 more hours left and i am so out of here!!!. Now go home sleep 4 hrs then off to another urologist in buffalo 60 miles north of me then work until midnight and dialysis at 6am thursday morning... I am pooped,,,,,, :boxing;
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I have 2 more hours left and i am so out of here!!!. Now go home sleep 4 hrs then off to another urologist in buffalo 60 miles north of me then work until midnight and dialysis at 6am thursday morning... I am pooped,,,,,, :boxing;
I'm hoping that your D session will go so smoothly that you can just sleep through it.
What exactly is your appt with the urologist going to tell you? Will you have more info about those mysterious cysts by the end of the appointment? I hope this 60 mile drive will at least yield some answers! Let us know what happens.
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Thursdays session was another bad bad one, 5 sticks and 2 nurses later they got it in. I had 8 minutes left and it clotted up so i lost 250 ml in the machine of blood and it was so bad today they gave me off on sat....... :Kit n Stik;
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Oh Woodsman sorry it was a rough one. Hope your appointment goes well!
xo,
R
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I have 2 more hours left and i am so out of here!!!. Now go home sleep 4 hrs then off to another urologist in buffalo 60 miles north of me then work until midnight and dialysis at 6am thursday morning... I am pooped,,,,,, :boxing;
I'm hoping that your D session will go so smoothly that you can just sleep through it.
What exactly is your appt with the urologist going to tell you? Will you have more info about those mysterious cysts by the end of the appointment? I hope this 60 mile drive will at least yield some answers! Let us know what happens.
Well the drive was most likely a waste of time he could have just told me his findings on the phone. He siad he does not see any cancer which is a plus, They are going to have a meeting in 3 weeks to discuss what the cd showed and get back to me.
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OK, so cancer is not the real concern. I think I'd just keel over and die if I knew I had to wait three weeks to get that sort of news.
I am really disappointed that they're having such a hard time sticking you. What's the problem, do you know? Is there a specific problem? Do you think the nurses are competent? They really need to sort themselves out. I can't believe it's all so bad that they're telling you not to come in on Saturday. I am so sorry this is happening; it really is disturbing. I hope you can have a restful weekend and get your mind on something else.
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OK, so cancer is not the real concern. I think I'd just keel over and die if I knew I had to wait three weeks to get that sort of news.
I am really disappointed that they're having such a hard time sticking you. What's the problem, do you know? Is there a specific problem? Do you think the nurses are competent? They really need to sort themselves out. I can't believe it's all so bad that they're telling you not to come in on Saturday. I am so sorry this is happening; it really is disturbing. I hope you can have a restful weekend and get your mind on something else.
Most of the problem is the new fistula and some clotting just plugs up the needle each time they poke me. They lifted me 3 times from the chair and now my bones hurt a bit from tensing up......
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Is this a problem that everyone assumes will just resolve itself in time? Do you have a funky fistula or something?
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I believe MM, that Woodsman fistula is not fully developed yet! As time goes on it will grow and mature, and will be a much easier stick! Jay had almost the same problem when they first developed his fistula. It gets better as time goes forth. Also, hubby had a perm cath while his fistula was developing for use. He has a "purdy" one now, if I may say so! Very Proud of his life line!!!
lmunchkin :flower;
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I guess I'm not clear on the semantics of "mature" and "fully developed". I mean, my fistula is over a year old, but I've not had to use it yet. Is it "fully developed" because it is already a year old? Is it not "mature" yet because it is unused? What's the difference? I know my fistula is older than woodsman's, but does that mean anything, really? Would a new patient like me have the same problems as woodman? I'm assuming so, but I don't know. I think I'll start a new thread...
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Well had sat off let's see how tomorrow goes!!!!!.. :shy;
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We need a fingers crossed smiley!
FINGERS CROSSED!
:flower;
Woodsman, on another forum there was a lady whose blood clotted VERY quickly (fortunately she got a transplant). I hope this is not going to afflict you!
Aleta
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How did your session go today, Woodsman?
lmunchkin
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How did your session go today, Woodsman?
lmunchkin
No session today i go on tuesday thursday and sat, had sat off due to swelling so tomorrow will tell more...
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I hope your session goes well, Woodsman. All the best.
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Todays session went better today and it only took 4 sticks to get me up and going. I ran well and hopefully when this infiltration bump dissapears it will only take 2 sticks..............
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Well, I guess that's a modicum of progress. How are you feeling overall? Is it too early to feel any real general improvement?
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Well at least it's in the right direction... Im feeling next session gonna be good!! I surely hope so. :boxing;
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Woodsman I have been falling your thread. You are really making the most of a crap situation. Are you thinking about maybe doing home dialysis or a nocternal in center program later in the future?
hang tough!
xo,
R
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Today's session went without a hitch!!!!!!!!!! I was so happy when she said i was all set and running well, I did not even feel the first needle stick this time, the second i felt but was not bad. I am feeling wide awake and i only slept 2 hrs.... I feel there is hope............... I feel good! :beer1;
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Woodsman, I swear to all that's holy that this is the best news I've had all day. I've been thinking about you today, seeing as it is Thursday, and I am so glad you took the time to come tell us that today was a good day for you! I'm thrilled to bits for you!! :yahoo;
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Woodsman, I swear to all that's holy that this is the best news I've had all day. I've been thinking about you today, seeing as it is Thursday, and I am so glad you took the time to come tell us that today was a good day for you! I'm thrilled to bits for you!! :yahoo;
Thanks for caring MM, Yep today was the best day yet. I hope every one will be this good. Right now i am celebrating with 4 chicken wings made right here in Buffalo ,NY. !!!!YUMMY!!!
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Oh wow, "Hot" ones I suppose! I haven't had chicken wings in years! We use to go to "Hooters" which is a sports bar, and just go to town on really hot wings. They were sooooo good!
Great to hear your days are getting better! lets hope it continues!
lmunchkin :flower; :cheer:
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:2thumbsup; So great to hear.. What a feeling when things are right!! This will soon be your norm, Glad your on your way
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Fantastic to hear it went well, Woodsman! May they all be this good or better.
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Today 4 needles and plenty of pain but they got in in just under 10 minutes.. it's just got to get better right??
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:2thumbsup; on under 10 min ;D And YES it will get better! Treatment went well?
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Had a angiogram today to clear vein in my arm, hopefully this will make dialysis better in the am.....
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:grouphug;
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I didn't realize you were having this sort of problem. Well, let's see...it is just now turned Thursday, so I'm assuming you'll be dialyzing today. Let us know how it goes. I'll be thinking of you.
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all went well no issues and just a bit of pain... :bandance;
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all went well no issues and just a bit of pain... :bandance;
Ok, it's about damn time that you have a session that's uneventful. Keep it up, OK? Have you thought about self-cannulation? I've probably asked you that before, and if I have, my apologies for being redundant.
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I'll dance to that, Woodsman! :bandance;
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Hold off on the dancing.... Today i was once again infiltrated and 5 needles later they had me hooked up. I am at the end of my rope here and i think it may be time to make a decision as to what i want to continue to do here. IF they could only get the needles placed the 1 st try i would be fine with this but i just don't know how much more i can take with all the poking and digging around to get me hooked up. My quality of life is fading fast i feel and just the thought of thinking about the next day and will it go okay or not is wearing thin. One needle stick lifted me completely out of the chair like they hit a bone or something, i have not felt pain like this ever in my life.......................... decisions decisions........... :Kit n Stik;
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:grouphug;
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Oh Woodsman, this is terrible news. I had really hoped you'd be past this type of problem by now. I know infiltrations are sorta part of it all, but your experience seems way out of the norm.
When you speak of making decisions, what are the options that you are considering? Are you talking about incenter vs home hemo, or are you talking about staying incenter but learning to self-cannulate?
Do the nurses have any explanation for why this is happening so often? This really is not acceptable, and it cannot continue.
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Oh Woodsman, this is terrible news. I had really hoped you'd be past this type of problem by now. I know infiltrations are sorta part of it all, but your experience seems way out of the norm.
When you speak of making decisions, what are the options that you are considering? Are you talking about incenter vs home hemo, or are you talking about staying incenter but learning to self-cannulate?
Do the nurses have any explanation for why this is happening so often? This really is not acceptable, and it cannot continue.
MM i'm thinking of all options including stopping and allow the cards to fall where they may. At this point i am really thinking this may be the way to go.......... IJDK
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NO Woodsman don't stop please! I know you are in a really dark place right now and getting stuck multiple times is hell, but it will get better. If worse comes to worse put a catheter in so you can get relief from the needles and let the fistula heal a bit more. Please don't go to that dark place...I've been there and done that....you are going to make it through I know it!! Sending you a hug! :cuddle;
xo,
R
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MM i'm thinking of all options including stopping and allow the cards to fall where they may. At this point i am really thinking this may be the way to go.......... IJDK
Oh, this makes me so sad to read. From what I've seen of your story and your family, there would just be too many people who would miss you for you to contemplate quitting now. Please exhaust all other options first. There have to be answers out there for you. Thinking of you. :grouphug;
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MM i'm thinking of all options including stopping and allow the cards to fall where they may. At this point i am really thinking this may be the way to go.......... IJDK
I think you DO know that it really is just waaaaaay to early to be thinking along those lines. I know that it must be really frustrating to say the least, but there are plenty of options you can explore first. This is despair talking, and despair can sometimes just scream.
Is there anything wrong with your fistula? I mean, is it really weird and unaccessible or something? Or are the nurses just that incompetent? If a specific problem can be identified, then it can surely be rectified. Maybe you should think hard about learning to stick yourself as I have heard that this is the single best way to prevent infiltrations.
Thinking of your situation really makes me sick...I mean that quite literally; it makes me queasy to imagine the dread you must feel when a dialysis day comes around. I'll be very interested to hear what kind of options are open to you and which decisions you make, and why, but I don't think you are anywhere close to giving up. :cuddle;
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I cant just ignore this but i dont know what to say :'( Im horrified that your going through this and wonder too if it's incompitance or you need more work on your fistula, or even a cath for a while would be better than what your going through. It sickens me. Really sickens me. It's just not right and something needs to be done to fix it. Im so sorry you have to go through it and dont deserve to and i :pray; for comfort and resolve to this for you. Please hang in here with us. Cant they give you the 'shot' before they stick? Hubby did that a few times and felt NOTHING! I do hope deeply that this is going to be a thing of the past real quick. Im sorry woodsman :(
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Woodsman.........Does the happen with all of the techs? If it is happening with just a couple you have the right to refuse care from a bad tech. Pick the best one and demand that they are the one to hook you up. As a dialysis patient you have more rights than they will tell you.
Pam
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Hi all and first let me apologize for yesterdays rant, i was working on 1/2 hour sleep in 28 hrs and i have a cold to boot... I am not giving up. I was so tired and frustrated with all this i was overwhelmed... My nurse is good my fistula seems to be the issue, she does everything possible to lessen the pain but the 2nd needle is the one giving all the problems. The 1st needle i hardly feel anymore. I think as it matures it will get better if no then maybe PD or a cath in in my future... again i apologize for my moment of weakness yesterday. I am going to remain strong and beat this thing one day at a time...................... :beer1; Thanks to you all for the support..
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Being overwhelmed and having a rant is hardly "weakness". It's just common.
But I think you may well be right when you say that things should get easier as your fistula matures and gets stronger with use. But there is no doubt that the transition onto D is extremely difficult even at the best of time.
Sure, you will be strong and take things one day at a time, but for the times you falter, well, that's what we are here for. Don't beat yourself up over it. :cuddle;
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:grouphug;
We're hear to listen to those moments, woodsman! I've always found it far better to rant on here where everyone understands, especially compared to doing it at close family and friends who often can't handle the discussion.
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I spent most of the early hours of the morning sitting on the side of the bed, crying, which is a common occurrence. My husband just kept sleeping, waking up long enough to ask me if I wanted a sandwich ( ???), and then fell back to sleep. If you can't fall apart on IHD, I can't imagine how the pressure would just build and build.
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8 hours and counting let's see how it goes tomorrow!!!! My arm is sore from the infiltration so this may be fun times once again............. :waving;
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8 hours and counting let's see how it goes tomorrow!!!! My arm is sore from the infiltration so this may be fun times once again............. :waving;
You're making me nervous; I'll be watching this thread in the hope that you will have some good news to share.
Oh, I've been meaning to ask you...other than your painful arm, how are you feeling? Is dialysis making a difference in how you feel overall? How do you feel after a treatment?
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8 hours and counting let's see how it goes tomorrow!!!! My arm is sore from the infiltration so this may be fun times once again............. :waving;
You're making me nervous; I'll be watching this thread in the hope that you will have some good news to share.
Oh, I've been meaning to ask you...other than your painful arm, how are you feeling? Is dialysis making a difference in how you feel overall? How do you feel after a treatment?
Well everything went perfect today. 2 sticks and it was over no alarms and i was a happy camper!!!!. MM i do feel 100% better and have since my 3rd dialysis session. After the treatment i feel okay maybe a bit drawn but they are not removing and fluids either because i still Pee so i don't know if that has anything to do with how it makes you feel. I do have tons more energy but work kind of puts a damper on it with less than enough sleep during the week.... Overall yep i feel better........ If sat goes this well then i'm having some wine afterwards to celebrate!!!!! :cheer:
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This is truly the best news I have had in several days! What an incredible relief! I really hope this continues for a long while. And I'm particularly glad to hear about how much better you feel; that's just superb! I want to hear all about your wine party come Saturday.
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:bandance; :bandance; :bandance;
Yay! Hope things keep improving for you!
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Sorry you were worn down there for a bit, Woodsman, but so happy your last session went well. I look forward to seeing this thread and always hope for the best because you are one of the first that I've seen go from pre-dialysis with no previous experience. You've had such a great attitude and have taken time to educate yourself. It's like I imagine it may very well go for me if/and when the day comes. Keep going strong, Woodsman.
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:clap; GREAT news!! Im so happy to hear this and hope that NOW you are on the road to smooth D!! :cuddle; Verry happy :2thumbsup;
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sat crew not so good had to call in regular nurse after 5 sticks!!! she came in and id it in 2... so 7 sticks today man my arm is sore
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sat crew not so good had to call in regular nurse after 5 sticks!!! she came in and id it in 2... so 7 sticks today man my arm is sore
Yeah, sat crew for anything is usually not the best.
Seven sticks...that's gruesome. Jeez, I'm really sorry you've had these problems. You never know what kind of a day you're going to have, do you? The dread must be palpable. :cuddle;
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colonospy done today and all is well now back on tuesday for the torment.....
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Colonoscopy followed by dialysis? You don't do things the easy way, do you?
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Today was an easy one, no issues 2 stick on and then off 3.25 hrs.... I won't say it was a joy but it was close.
MM the colon thing was needed for the transplant list, best 3hrs of sleep i've had in years......
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It's the anesthesia that accompanies these sorts of procedures that really get to me. I just get soooo sick.
Glad you had a sucessful day at D with only 2 sticks. That's pretty much a record for you! Congrats!
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:2thumbsup; Ok NOW your off to a good start yeah!!! Shoot, anythings better than what youve already dealt with huh.. Hope your on your way for sure now :flower;
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Another no issue day 2 sticks and done and 14 gage needles, oh man they do hurt
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"No issue" days are good. Do the needles hurt just when they are going in, or do they hurt for a long time once they are in and taped down? Are those the biggest needles they will be using on you, or do they just get bigger?
Do you use any sort of numbing agent? They just seem like more trouble than they are worth. Have you ever given serious thought to learning to self-cannulate?
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"No issue" days are good. Do the needles hurt just when they are going in, or do they hurt for a long time once they are in and taped down? Are those the biggest needles they will be using on you, or do they just get bigger?
Do you use any sort of numbing agent? They just seem like more trouble than they are worth. Have you ever given serious thought to learning to self-cannulate?
MM they just hurt going in after that its not bad and they are the biggest.. I am thi8nking about self cannulate but i think i need to wait unitl it develops more first.