Does having a Fistula put in hurt?

[Dialized]

I have a permacath in my neck at the moment, however it has started to play up and not work so well. The doctor said I should have a Fistula put in.  My concerns are  the needles might  hurt and I  also hate being put under anesthetic. I was wondering  if anyone has any feedback on the operation and the general day to day effects of having one in place. Thanks

[Ang]

piece of cake having it put in as you are asleep, it takes about 6 weeks to mature to be able to use,if you have a fear of the needles,use lidocaine about 1.5-2 hours prior and you should not feel to much of any thing.
feel the fistula daily,make sure its buzzing if not get to the e.r
i've had mine for nearly 6 years
good luck with it all

[billmoria]

Agree with Ang! Don't let needle phobia take control of  you. Nobody likes needles but most people adapt and get on with it.

[Stoday]

You don't have to be put under anesthetic. My fistula was put in using a local anesthetic, an "arm block". After I'd had the injection, the surgery didn't hurt at all, not even a little bit. I was fully conscious throughout.

A fistula is the best access because you are least likely to get an infection. Catheters are more easily a source of infection and also limit your ability to have showers etc.

The hemodialysis machine usually priocesses 300ml per minute of blood. A normal vein in your arm (at rest) has a blood flow of around 100ml/min. That's too small a flow for the machine. Joining an artery to the vein to form a fistula increases the size of the vein (over a few weeks) so that the blood flow becomes around 1000ml/min or more.

I don't like being stuck with two needles three times a week, but I think it's far better than having to put up with a catheter. The sting lasts for less than a second.

[Chris]

In my experience, when I woke up from surgery it sarted to hurt an hour after. Since I was in the hospital, they gave me some good pain meds. After a couple day's it did  not hurt, but had to get use to the feeling of having it. My pain though could have had something to do with my diabetes though due to circulation issues.
 
My advice if you do not like big needles is to not watch, try some lidocain cream, and or xanax if you are very concerned. However see how it goes the first time by not looking.
 
Good Luck

[galvo]

It's no biggy and you'lll get rid of that rotten catheter.

[Joe Paul]

To live is to endure. You'll be OK, why worry about it now, you will have yourself sicker. Take each day as it comes, and thank GOD he gives us tools that we can use.

[Gandalf]

I have had two fistulas - in both cases it hurt for a few hours after the operation - but no more than the Permcath insertion.  It is a REAL pleasure after the Permcath - a lot less disfiguring, less risk of infection, no irritating dressings and all together better.
The needles issue is really a non-issue - it is very much a head thing - if you believe it is going to be agony, then I guess it will!  But it really and truly isn't - its something that you truly will get used to, and it becomes pretty much a way of life.  Good luck.

[Hazmat35]

I had a fistula put in and have been using it for about 9 months now.  And beileve me, if there is anybody out there with a FEAR OF NEEDLES, it is me!  I do in-center HEMO, and put on the Lidiocane cream on about 1 1/2 hours before treatment, cover it w/ plastic so it soaks in and doesn't get all over me.  By time D starts, you hardly feel anything but a little pressure on your arm.  I don't watch, I talk to other or watch TV to take my mind off of it. 

As far as the operation, you will be a little sore afterwards, but that is to be expected.  But overall, it is very quick, and a piece of cake!  NO WORRIES!!!!!

[Poppylicious]

Blokey was petrified of having a fistula created, mostly because he loathes needles and is a big wuss when it comes to pain (and he has seen/heard pain from those with fistulas in his unit!)

However, having the fistula is the best thing he's agreed to since beginning dialysis (I think that, like Stoday, he had his created under local aneasthetic.)  The pain after surgery was far less than he anticipated and the dialysis he receives now is so much better; he's far less tired than he was when he was only using a chest line.  He doesn't even use the numbing cream before a session - in fact, he's never actually been offered it.  He's the biggest baby I know for things like needles and pain so I say, go for it!

 

[Stoday]

It's just occurred to me that you get less pain with a local anesthetic than a general. That may be because the local lasts much longer.

IIRC my local lasted some 8 to 10 hours.

[thegrammalady]

i think it depends on where you have the fistula put in. i've had two done in 3 surgeries.  the first two in my wrist were outpatient surgeries and were a piece of cake. the second was in my upper arm (which is the one i'm using now) i spent 2 days in the hospital and a week or so at home on pain meds. but i wouldn't suggest not having one just to avoid the pain.

[kamar55]

Fistulas are so much better than caths, if only for the freedom of easy showering. I never had any pain when they put it in and never had the need for a numbing cream, though many folks swear by it. Get the fistula done because it's so much better for your health than caths. Good luck!

[Dialized]

Thanks for the advice, I'm definitely having the fistula done.

[Poppylicious]

Thanks for the advice, I'm definitely having the fistula done.

[Cordelia]

I am wondering, can a person shower following an insertion of a fistula? Like the next day or can you 'not' shower until it matures in the two months it has to mature?
I'm looking at getting one this coming April and I was just wondering, thanks.

[Stoday]

Three days after mine.

Two months dosn't bear thinking about...

[Hazmat35]

When I had my Fistula put it, he created a 3" cut just above the bend in my elbow.  He didn't even use any stitches, he used "Glue" to keep it sealed.  I showered the very next day.  Of course, he told me to try to keep it as dry as possible, but if I got it wet, it was no big deal. 

[Cordelia]

That's a relief to know, thanks

[Gandalf]

Cordelia, same for me - I showered the next day - did sort of try to keep it dry, but alas not very sucessfully!  It was not an issue; they covered it with plasters and bandages and whatever, which can be removed in two or three days.  It heals amazingly quickly - I was really surprised.  Good luck with the procedure.

[RichardMEL]

No issue with showering. You can be clean and smell pretty ASAP

[Cordelia]

Thank you, Gandalf