Infiltration

[Rodneyss1]

  Just my second week of using my virgin fistula, and I got infiltrated! Hurts like hell and my arm has a swollen bump where they infiltrated me! Any suggestions would help, cause I'm worried about my virgin fistula! The thing that really pisses me off is that they were soooo casual about the whole thing! My arm is swollen and hurts like hell and they are like "It will go down, no big deal"! Let me infiltrate them and see how it feels.

[Gandalf]

Not fun at all!  It does happen from time to time I am told!   It has happened to my fairly new fistula twice, and never actually damaged the fistula, although the bruising looked (and Felt!) horrible!  They were unable to use it for one or two sessions.  I have found that ice helps; as does Reparil Gel (not sure what its called your side, but its basically a gel for inflammation and bruising).  Arnica also helps the bruising subside quite a bit. Good luck, and let me know that the fistula (any you!) are okay.

[tyefly]

This happen to me when I started too.....   I hated it....   but it only happend a few times at first and then It never happened again.... which I am glad....   I cannulate myself now   and I have not infiltrated myself.....   stay strong  and pay attention to how they do things...

[YLGuy]

It happened to me today.  I self-cannulate my buttonholes.  I could not get one in.  After like 6 tries I asked my tech to give it a go.  She tried twice and I stopped her.  My old tech was very good so I called him over.  My arm already felt like hamburger.  He tried twice and then went and got a sharp.  He went right through.  We ended up running with the needle pulled a quarter of the way out.  I am in agony.  What helps is that I have a rubber glove filled with warm water on it.

[Stoday]

Infiltration is the initiation ceremony for newbies. We've all suffered it.

I got it so bad during the first month that they could only find a place for one needle, so I had to have single needle dialysis for a couple of sessions.

Ice helps when it happens; left an hour or more it's too late.

Don't worry. In a couple of months your fistula will be a bit wider and tougher.

[cookie2008]

Ice first 24 hours then wet heat helps the swelling and bruising.

[WishIKnew]

Sorry to ask, but whit is infiltration.  I do PD.  Whatever it is, it sounds terrible and I'm sorry all of you are so familiar with it!

[YLGuy]

What is an infiltration?
When a needle is correctly placed the needle makes one hole - into the fistula. An infiltration is when it makes more than one hole - the needle goes into the fistula and then out another side.

What can happen when an infiltration occurs?
When you have an infiltration, blood leaks outside of the fistula or
graft into the surrounding tissues. This causes swelling and pain in
the area. 
Your fistula or graft will continue to function. It may become bruised,
swollen and the area may feel firm to touch.

How is an infiltration treated?
The needle is removed and pressure applied to stop the bleeding. 
Ice will be applied while in the dialysis unit. Apply ice to this area for
20 minutes only at a time. Wait ½ hour to apply ice again. Do this 6 to
8 times for the next 24 hours to reduce pain and swelling. You only
need enough ice to cover the effected area.
After the first 24 hours, apply warm (not hot) compresses. Place a
warm wash cloth on the area for 20 minutes. Do this 6 to 8 times a
day for the next 24 hours to promote healing. You only need the
warm compress to cover the effected area.
The dialysis nurses will check your fistula or graft each dialysis
treatment after you have an infiltration.

[Stoday]

Good explanation YLG

I'd just like to add that if you use buttonholes, you're much less likely to get infiltrated because the needles are blunt.

[YLGuy]

Ah yes, now sporting the 5" bruise down my arm.  A very nice shade of purple.

[PVUgrad]

And then add Plavix into the mix and his poor arm is swollen and bruised. 

Can I ask how soon you remove the gauze and tape from the pokes?

[YLGuy]

That really varies.  I can remove mine 1 hour after.