First Day for Needles

[pklipe57]

Tonight is my first time for dialysis using needles.  My surgeon marked my arm yesterday and said it was ready.  I filled the prescription for the EMLA cream.  Does everyone use it?  Does it really help?  Any other suggestions?  I am anxious to get this started mainly in order to get my catheter out. 

[paul.karen]

I cant answer your questions, but best of luck to you.

A Shower is in your future

[kimcanada]

I use EMLA, and it works very well... make sure you put it on at least a half hour before you needle

[breezysummerday]

My s/o uses the EMLA.  A nice schmear up and down
the fistula, then covers his arm with plastic food wrap.
We went to Costco and got the restaurant size roll.
He applies it up to an hour before dialysis.
His center has lidocaine shots, but he likes the
EMLA best.   
 

[Brianna!]

They didn't offer me any cream. and I'm 16. but, it's not so bad. I thought it was going to be alot worse! Good luck!!!

[kitkatz]

I never used cream or lidocaine. The lidocaine  because I did not want four needles instead of two. EMLA was never offered to me. So I take the needles straight. The only bad times are when a new spot or a nerve is hit.

I do think centers do patients a disservice by not telling them about the creams or painless ways to do the needles. Ask questions!

[pklipe57]

Thanks for the help.  I did use the ELMA cream and everything went well.  We are only doing one needle for one week and then to two and then I can have the catheter removed. 

[David13]

Great news!   

[okarol]

  I hope everything goes well!

[iketchum]

I wouldnt rush getting rid of the nasty cath. After five needles trying to get me on I was glad they used the cath on me.

[pdpatty]

I had my cath in almost 2 years. Many times I was gratful for it when they started sticking me. At first ,they used one needle and one side of cath. Now I get both needles and cath is gone. I have never used the cream. The worst stick I ever get just causes a few `goosebumps'.
Evidently the nerves around the lower part of fistula never grew back . That area is totally numb,lucky me!

[dwcrawford]

had one needle two week, then two for two days.  overflowed??? what do you call lit?  then had to rest the whole thing a week and back on one needle this week.  don't know when I can ever get ride of the cath.  hopefullly they can start back with two needles on monday.  all i ever here from people is "exercise it.  exercise it."

it hurts without the cream but no more than an iv needle.  with the cream you can't feel it unless you didn't get the cream in the right spot.  i'm starting to think it  isn't worth the effort.  wednesday i yelled really  loud.. the s*** word.  tan asked did it hurt and i said no, but i was yelling just in case it  did.  bottom line, i've experienced worse things.

[petey]

My Marvin has always used some type of numbing help before cannulation.  When he first started dialysis in 1995, his clinic used the lidocaine shots (yes, it was four sticks instead of two, but Marvin said the first two made the second two bearable).  Then, his clinic switched and said they would no longer use the shots -- only cream.  Marvin has been using lidocaine cream for probably ten years.

He (like breezysummer's s/o) puts two big blobs on his buttonholes about an hour before treatment.  Then, he wraps his forearm in Saran Wrap and tapes the end of it.  Right before he goes on the machine, he thoroughly washes his arm, and he's ready to go.  It's still painful on the arterial access (big nerve runs right across that one), and I don't think Marvin could stand it without the cream.