fistula and exersise

[Pam]

  know we are not supposed to lift heavy thngs or carry things on our arm. I have an upper arm fistula and was windering about resistance bands. I do not need to lose weight, just need some toning. I use them for my legs but do you think they would be ok for the arm too?
 
Pam

[Zog]

If the bands press against your fistula don't use them.  However, if you fistula surgery has healed you can lift weights that don't press against the fistula.  People are worried that if you press your fistula closed it will clot off.  That has happened to some people.

Go to fistulafirst.org for more (and maybe better) info.

You can see the vein used for upper arm fistulas on the biceps of most body builders.  There is a body builder on dialysis.  He was in the DaVita or NxStage newsletter a year or two ago.  A picture of him, Don Long, is at the NxStage Users Forum website. http://nxstageusers.com/images/galleryout/images/DonLong.jpg

[RightSide]

I suggest you call your vascular surgeon (the one who made your fistula) and ask him what is safe to do.  I am planning to start an exercise program myself, but I'm not going to until I can discuss it with my own vascular surgeon first.

Remember, 5 pounds of resistance on the band is the same thing as lifting 5 pounds of weight.