I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions) => Topic started by: fearless on December 05, 2011, 04:48:04 PM

Title: what needle lengths are available?
Post by: fearless on December 05, 2011, 04:48:04 PM

I have a small forearm, and probably only about 5 good inches of stickable fistula (have only had one successful treatment with one needle so far - still using catheter otherwise)  I'm worried that two 1" needles are not going to sit well in my fistula, because the whole thing is one gentle curve, with no straight stretches of 1" in length.  I've already had one horrendous infiltration of my forearm, 2 hours into treatment, because the needle moved a little bit.

I was told by someone on this site (thank you, I don't remember your name) to ask for 5/8" needles.  I did that today and the nurses said they didn't know of any such needles being available - only 1" or longer. 

Does anyone know about this?  Any help for someone with a curved fistula?

Thank you

Title: Re: what needle lengths are available?
Post by: amanda100wilson on December 05, 2011, 05:55:20 PM

I believe that I was the person who mentioned 5/8" needles.  Stuart Mott, a nurse who specialises in best practise for cannulation (a lot of the Fistula First best pracise has come from him) told me that these would be best for me as my fistula is shallow.  My nurses didn't know about these, and Stuart sent me some (I met him at a NxStage conference).  My nurse was anxious about using them because they look so short, but he has since used short needles on another patient.  These needles are made by medisystems, which is a NxStage Company. See link: http://www.medisystems.com/

Hope this helps you get your short needles.

Title: Re: what needle lengths are available?
Post by: Rerun on December 05, 2011, 07:03:48 PM

WOW, ya gotta love this site!!

                 :yahoo;

Title: Re: what needle lengths are available?
Post by: fearless on December 05, 2011, 09:10:51 PM

YES I DO RERUN!!!

And thank you amanda100wilson!  I am most appreciative  :thx;

Title: Re: what needle lengths are available?
Post by: Riki on December 06, 2011, 11:19:44 PM

When I first started using my fistula, I really only had one really good spot, but the nurses I have are excellent, and they were able to get them in in a way where they were almost on top of each other, but were still far enough away from each other that there wasn't any recirculation.  Now, a year and a half later, I have developed another spot to needle, so they are a good 2 inches apart now.  This could happen with you as well, as the fistula continues to develop.  I like the idea of the shorter needles, though

Title: Re: what needle lengths are available?
Post by: fearless on December 08, 2011, 09:32:20 PM

Thanks Riki!  If I can't make this happen, it's encouraging to know I might still be OK.