First poke

[cloud393]

I got the okay today to start using my fistula on Thursday.  I don't know if that's good or bad.  The whole needle thing bothers me.  Maybe I've just gotten too comfortable with my perma cath.  They say I am a good candidate for home hemo.  Not sure about that either.  It seems so risky.  I guess we'll just see how Thursday goes.   

[YLGuy]

GL.  Let us know.  It will be nice when they remove the permacath.

[Wallyz]

People love the permacath until they get an infection and have to get  a new one.  It is scary to start poking, but the best thing I did to get over my nervousness was to start poking myself.

Taking control of your treatment is the best way to deal with a lot of the anxieties.  Seeing a counselor can help too, as long s they are familiar with dialysis patients.  Good luck, and be well.

[RichardMEL]

The reality is that a fistula (or even graft) is much better for you than a permacath because the risk of infection and complications is that much less, and you can get better performance out of a fistula(sounds like a sports car, doesn't it?  ). Yes, it's scary since you don't have the needles with the cath, but it will be better for you.

When they start using it, ask for the local, or cream, or whatever, and when they do it.. don't look. Think about something else. They may even talk to you to distract you (mine usually do ). Hopefully before you know it the needles will be in and your biggest problem will be the boredom before they come out again.

Fingers crossed all goes OK for Thursday!

[Sluff]

Good Luck Thursday Cloud, hope things go smooth for you. So many new experiences, take a deep breath and take 1 day at a time.

[Bajanne]

Well, I am a 5 year veteran of the pokes!  I used to get lidocaine, but then stopped since the lidocaine needle used to sting anyway.  Today, the nurse was using a new spot (always more painful) and I said 'this is going to hurt'.  She told me to say ,"it will not hurt" and repeat it.  I did (about 6 times) and believe it or not the stick was unbelievably bearable!  Our mind is a wonderful tool!
A niece of mine would say when she stubbed her toe, or any such accident :"Don't hurt, don't hurt!".  I have tried it and it really does alleviate some of the pain.

Anyway, please know that you have your IHD family with you, holding your hand as you go through this experience.  Let us know how it went.

[Stoday]

when they do it.. don't look. Think about something else.

I don't agree with that!

You may think I'm presumptious since I haven't yet started HD but when I do I want to poke myself. To that end I decided to watch when the phlebotomist poked me to take a blood sample. I chickened out the first three times, but managed it on the fourth. Surprise! It doesn't sting when I watch, which I now do every time.

[galvo]

Best wishes, old fella. The needling does improve with time, and so will the way you feel. Pretty soon you'll be even more obnoxious than ever.

[cloud393]

Well, got my poke (with Lidocane).  Everything went super.  I don't know why I was nervous.  Anyway, thanks for all the support and encouraging words.

[Stoday]

Congratulations on your fistula losing its virginity!

How long were you on for? How long did it take to clot off when you were disconnected?

[cloud393]

I was on for 4 hours and it took about 5 minutes to clot afterwards.  I understand that is pretty good.