Needles without Lidocane?

[melobelle]

WOW! I feel your pain! The nurses/tecs talked about using lidocane when I was initially apprehensive about getting the needle put in my arm for the first time. Then they just did it without using the lidocane. I have only had two successful days using my fistula but it's coming along. I have learned to NOT LOOK when the needles are being inserted. I'm wondering if as the needles get bigger, will I also have 8 hours of post discomfort. UGH! Keep on truckn!

[dyann]

Ok now I am scared  I am waiting for my fistula to mature, but now the thought of having to stick myslef 6 x's a week is making me nervous  I feel I have a high tolerance for pain but I don't know if I can do that i would almost rather keep my perma-cath  but then again I have had 4 serious infections with it.

[monrein]

dyann, all of us are nervous about the needles...we'd be very strange indeed if we weren't.  It does take some getting used to and I practiced by pinching myself hard and by watching and so on.  I'm not saying that everyone should do their own needles but for me it took away tons of anxiety.  It also meant I could go on home hemo which worked well for me at the time.  You don't have to do your own needles but it is important to know what the best practices are so that you can keep on top of the techs and protect your fistula.  Don't get ahead of yourself and worry about things that aren't here yet.  Emla cream can do the numbing.
Permacaths scare me far more than the needles, because of the potential for infections and I never felt any difference in the feeling between 17 and 15 gauge needles.
 

[galvo]

Needles are not fun. But I went onto blunts yesterday without any pain relief. No worries at all. I had a very good nurse, though, and I think that makes all the difference. Watching John Wayne in 'True Grit' at the same time also probably helped.

[tyefly]

I have buttonholes.....   I cannulate myself and I use no cream ( lidocain )  and there is NO pain....  I go slow and now that I do this my self    I will never let anyone else stick me again...... No way....  when I first started there was alot of pain....  sticking and removing the needles....  they are in such a hurry....... I never thought that I would be able to do but I did  and I have had now problems.....   I cant understand why anyone would not cannulate them selves.....      why would they let people hurt them...... not me......... I know  what your saying...... 

   I sure have gained alot of confidence since I started  D  late last year......  but I do remember how scared I was before I started....... 

       I do nxstage and its way easy.....  the hardest thing is to just do it everyday........I hate routine.....  and this is routine.....  I am learning patience...... about time.......

[MooseMom]

Tyefly, I hope I can be like you when my time comes to start dialysis.  Could you tell me more about how you learned to cannulate yourself and do buttonholes?  Anything at all you could tell me about your experience would be so helpful.  I, too, think I will never be able to do it, but knowing you felt the same way and now can do it without any problems is very encouraging.  PM me if you'd prefer.  Thanks so much.

[tyefly]

When I started D  a tech infiltrated me and I went home for two weeks....n.then  with small needles and the same person tech...(  I was lucky to have someone that wanted to be the only tech...she even came in on her days off to make sure she cannulated me..... )   we did that for a month and then we started the buttonholes....  simply by sticking the same spot and at the same angle and then same person...after about 10 times sticking they seemed very easy and we used a blunt type of needle and it worked......   well then I went into nxstage training and the lady there stuck me the first day .....( I told her where and the right angle....)   she then told me that I was going to stick myself tomorrow..... I thought I was going to die......  pure stress..... I didnt sleep all night...but  I remember how it was done ......   The next day   I simply put the needle in the hole   slowly......  it slightly stung alittle  but if you just wait a minute or less it goes away.....  the needles just went in slowly on there own with just a little bit of pressure from e....Mo pain at all......Its like putting in your ear rings.....  its just that cool......  I did use lidocain when I was first stuk....and untill my buttonholes were working well....then nothing   ....you just dont really need it..... IU have used the cream and it does work...... but you really dont need it with buttonholes.......  Dont worry ..... If you want something bad enough then you will figure out a way of getting it...... I wanted to be able to go places ... so  Nxstage was the only choice..... and in order to do next stage someone has to cannulate......   That would be me.......You  can do this..... I f I did    believer me anyone who wants more from Dialysis will learn to take care of them selves and make life healthy........  You will do fine.....

[bountyhunter_ga]

I have never used any type or medication to ease the pain of those autopsy needles they use to suck out my blood. I don't think we ever get used to it like the doctor says. I had my Fistula repaired this last week I got a shot of lidocaine in my Fistula .  and what felt like a long screwdriver being pushed up my arm. When ask how come I'm not asleep yet the nurse said your IV blew out, Thanks I replied and began to tell the story of being a kid in the projects when the local county hospital in Tampa,Fl operated on my foot without any kind of pain medication,I guess just because we were poor. I sure would hate to think that, but as a veteran cop if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck it must be a duck,,have a great day