I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: KidneySinger on July 31, 2012, 11:33:08 AM
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Hi
I went through unsuccessful fistula surgery in my upper arm and now I am told we need to do a graft in my forearm as the next step.
Was wondering from those of you who have grafts - how is it? Can you go many years on a graft? Do you feel your graft and does it bulge out? How is the stick when you start dialysis?
I am familiar with fistulas because my brother has been using one for several years - and I thought for years, I would have one too...
Have no idea about grafts.
Thanks for any info :clap;
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Thanks so much! I will call.
Here is what happened...tell me what you think because I am beginning to think the doctor may be at fault.
I go to Mayo so I thought I was in best hands. My GFR is 18 but my neph wanted me to get ready for future dialysis by getting a good fistula.
They did the vein mapping and everything.
Went into surgery on my left arm around my elbow and was left with a huge Z scar.
The doc did not come and talk to me in recovery. I went home after a couple of hours.
A couple of days later I was reading that you should feel a buzz soon after surgery so I called my doc and told them I felt nothing.
They said that was fine and normal and would take a few weeks and would see me at my post op visit in 2 weeks.
When I went in, they felt and heard nothing. My doc did not see me, it was he assistant.
She sent me to sonogram and they confirmed the fistula was blocked.
The scheduled me a follow up for 2 weeks later to have it surgically fixed with a cathetar.
This is now over 1 month since my surgery.
I went in for the 2nd surgery and after being IV'ed and ready to wheel, the doctor (different) came in and said he did not want to do the surgery because it had been to long and it probably would not work, so I was sent home.
I just went in for my visit with my original doctor, first time I have seen him, and he told me about doing the graft.
Is this normal? They have just used up a very important area and vien and it was a failure. I understand some fail, but to wait so long before checking and trying to fix?
Thanks for your help.
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too bad you don't live in ohio, I have a good one for ya.
I have a graft, it's my second one, it's 2 years old and has had lots of interventions but it seems to still be going strong.