I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions) => Topic started by: angellady07 on October 09, 2007, 01:17:52 AM
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It seems as though I'm always posting something about my graft. I'm having problems again. The drain for my graft was removed a little over 10 days ago. Over the weekend I noticed the swelling and the bulge returning. My hand is also swollen. I called my vascular surgeon today and he advised me to wrap my arm. He said he has to check it out if the swelling doesn't subside.He's especially concerned about my hand. He said it may be a clot. He said he won't be suprised if it gets worse.That certainly wasn't very comforting.I could use some positive thoughts. Thanks for being there. I appreciate all of you.
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Sorry to hear you are still having trouble, hope it gets sorted out soon :grouphug;
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Thanks Joe Paul. I hope I don't sound like a broken record. It's just my conversation with the vascular surgeon on Monday was a little unnerving. I hope it gets sorted out soon too.
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:grouphug; I know the feeling.... when it rains, it pours. I am sending you positive thoughts and prayers. I am also sending you a :grouphug; because I know you could use it!
Please let us know how this goes.
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Thinkin of ya :grouphug;
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Neph: "Let's wrap your arm and see if the swelling subsides." Now, that would have been a good place for the neph to stop talking. You have enough on your mind without his bleak semi-predictions. Keeping a good thought for you./bobt :cuddle;
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My thoughts and prayers are with you! :cuddle;
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So sorry your going through this :cuddle;
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Oh girlfriend, i am so sorry your having so many damn freaken problems with your graft >:( You better believe i am sending positive thoughts and prayers your way as I type this ;) I hope all is well soon and you can just go on living your life with no more complications!!! and here is a big ol' Goofynina hug for you :cuddle;
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Thanks for the positive thoughts and prayers. I'm waiting to talk to the vascular surgeon to find out what's next. You guys are awesome. :bow;
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Update: I see the vascular surgeon tomorrow. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again for all the kind words. :cuddle;
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Hi,
Sending you very, very positive thoughts and also prayers from us here in NJ. Please let us all know how everything is
Anne and Les :grouphug;
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Sending you good thoughts your way.
Amanda
xxoo
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OK Angellady, i know it's stil kinda early but just to let you know, i (we) are waiting for an update :) Hope things are going well for you :waving;
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Update: First of all ,thanks to all of you for your good wishes. I can always count on my IHD buddies. I'm scheduled for an ultrasound on Monday. The vascular surgeon believes based on the exam that the fluid has returned.He also needs to rule out a blood clot. He mentioned another surgery to insert a long term drain. I asked him if something can be done to prevent recurrence.He mentioned using talc in conjunction with the drain. he said talc is used in cardiac patients with scar tissue. He said he is working in unchartered territory. I told him I didn't want him using a procedure unless it's been done in the past on graft patients. He said he is going to pick the brains of the radiology department. Shouldn't he know what to do he's a vascular surgeon? Needless to say, I'm not looking forward to another surgery. I also feel very betrayed because I signed for the record of my fistulagram. It showed I have stenosis in two separate areas of my graft. I was initially told it was normal other than the fluid collection. I'm very upset.
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And you have every right to be upset angellady, just hang in there, i am sure they will take good care of you, at least they better or i'll have to give them a good :boxing; ;) Although i know it's not easy, try and keep your spirits up and keep your faith :cuddle; and please, keep us posted as to what procedure they do to you, i hope and pray it's going to be the winner :thumbup;
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My thoughts are with you :cuddle;
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Have you said something to them that you know about the stenosis? What have they said? :boxing; You are in my thoughts and prayers. :grouphug;
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Susie, I feel like boxing my vascular surgeon now ! Paddbear, no I picked up my records after my appointment. I certainly intend to discuss the stenosis with both my vascular surgeon and my nephrologist. I need to cool down first. The mood I'm in now I'd fire both of them and start fresh. I feel very uneasy about the remark the vascular surgeon made about being in unchartered territory. Dialysis grafts are supposed to be part of his specialty. :urcrazy; Thanks, Susie, Paddbear and everyone who replied I really appreciate your support. :grouphug;
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Angellady, sorry you're having problems. I was infiltrated twice in a month, my arm is still swollen and black and blue. I'm afraid to go back to the vascular surgeon. I don't want more surgery. My arm is scarred and lumpy now.
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Angellady - how are you doing now? :cuddle;
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Karol, thanks for asking. I really needed an act of kindness right now. I spoke with my surgeon again. Thankfully no clot that we know of however, I'm having surgery again on the 24th. My graft continues to accumulate fluid. My surgeon mentioned something about using a vacuum device to hopefully prevent the recurrence of this. He said there are no guarantees. I don't fully understand the procedure. When he mentioned surgery I think my brain exited my body. LOL. I've had 3 in 3 months. Again, thanks for your support. I'm going to celebrate when this surgery is over and my arm is free from pain.
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geez I hope you are doing better... :grouphug;
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Update: Well the fluid has returned. I had the wound vac removed not long ago. I'm so frustrated. My vascular surgeon referred me to an interventional radiologist who is going to drain my graft. The radiologist suggested a long term drain. The vascular surgeon isn't in favor of a long term drain. His reason is that the drain didn't work the first time. They have decided the best approach is to drain and to inject a 50/50 combination of betadine and alcohol in an attempt to dry it out. The radiologist said this may have to be done a couple of times before we get positive results. There are no guarantees. I'm having the procedure done on 12/6. My arm is painful now I can't imagine that combination. Please once again, I need your positive thoughts.
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Sorry to hear you are still having troubles. Will keep you in thought and prayers :thumbup;
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Thanks Joe Paul.
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angellady, I am so sorry, that sounds dreadful. Let me know when it is better, I will celebrate with you! The worst pain I have gone through is when I had fistula problems, but nothing compared to yours. Pray it heals this time.
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angellady - I am so sorry you are going through such a rough time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. :grouphug;
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:grouphug;
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:cuddle; :cuddle; :cuddle; :cuddle;
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Thanks for all of the positve thoughts. :cuddle;
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angellady07
:grouphug; God, I am so sorry. I cannot even imagine the pain you must be having. I'll keep praying that you heal real fast and they can control the pain.
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Angellady, just wanted you to know i am sending many good and positive thoughts your way (and one big ol' Goofynina hug :cuddle;) Hope things get better quick my friend.
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Thanks everyone. :waving;
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Update: I had the procedure twice in Dec. The first time the radiologist drained the fluid too quickly and was unable to use the betadine/alcohol combo. The second time around he was able to complete the treatment with the betadine and alcohol. I was okay with the betadine when the alcohol hit I nearly went through the roof. I asked the radiologist for something for pain. He told me that it's good it hurts because it needs to " cook" in there a little bit. He did send me home with pain meds but he should have given me something then and there. Well, the fluid returned and I was supposed to have the same procedure yesterday. I couldn't do it. I just felt like I had been through so much with this graft and I haven't even started dialysis. I don't know where to go from here. I think I'm off for another opinion. :thx;
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I don't blame you AngelLady. I think a second opinon is the way to go, after all you've been thro.
I will pray that you find a good Dr. to help you with this.
Love, Mimi
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I'm sorry! You've been in pain for way too long. I can't believe they didn't give you anything for the pain before they shot alcohol into your arm! :boxing;
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I agree, it's cruel to not minimize your pain! Couldn't they have given you some lidocaine injections or something. I'd like to "cook" that jerk-off doctor for awhile.
Perhaps the best thing is to get a second opinion as you mentioned. I wish you all the best, sending {{{HUGS}}} your way!
:cuddle; :cuddle; :cuddle;
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bless your heart, angellady! What a trying, tough, awful experience. I'd say get a second opinion. I'm sending prayers your way!
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I must hand it to your vascular surgeon. At least he is honest! He may not have the answers yet but he at least has the humility to ask those who may have the answers. Of course you did not sign up to be a Guinea pig either. It is always scary when you can not see the outcome. You sound sharp and strong, two traits I wish I could pull out of my hip pocket. Persevere!
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If I had a buck for every time my doc was wrong i could hire someone to beat him up. Twice.
There are lots of problems that go along with dialysis. Sometimes it can feel like your just falling apart. I think we all feel that way sometimes.
Hang in there and when you're having a hard time keeping positive stop by and tell us why. Just reading through the post here makes me feel so much better about my situation.
I think I speak for everyone when i say "I feel your pain and I know what your going through and your not alone"
:grouphug;
M Lewis