Some questions about Hemo

[Wildrose]

I know I could wade through a lot of information to find some of the answers to my questions, but one of the things I'd really like to know... how do most of you feel before, after and during hemo treatments? I know that every persons body is different, but what symptoms seem to be universal (if any)?
I was pulled off of PD last week due to fluid leaking through my diaphragm and under my right lung. My first hemo treatment was on Saturday and it was nerve wracking for me. My next is Tuesday (Tues/thurs/sat for this week... im not a permanent time owner yet, lol). I  was just basically thrown into this new type of dialysis and although I'd done my research in the past I feel like I don't know what to expect. I do know I have felt a LOT more tired the last few days but it probably has nothing to do with the hemo yet (since I've only gone once) and more to do with spending five days in the hospital and multiple surgeries.
Also... what would you do if a technician took you off the machine at the end without putting on a face mask? I have the tunneled catheter line right now as my fistula won't be ready for a few weeks. The tech told me to pull up my mask and I jokingly said " where is yours?" he laughed and said "it flew away" but didn't go and put one on and I didn't know at one point that the tubing was exposed (as I cant really crane my neck down to see). My husband was there and in my opinion should have stuck up for me.... but he's not exactly that kind of guy either (too quiet). I should have stuck up for myself. But what would any of you on hemo have done if a tech was not using proper procedure during something like that?

[SugarBear]

Hi Wildrose.  Are you sure it was a tech?  From what I know, at least here in New York, only nurses are allowed to deal with catheters.

I'm not sure what a tunneled catheter is but, from what I've seen a mask is always used for patients with a catheter.  From what I understand, there is a high risk of infection and a mask must always be worn when connecting and disconnecting occurs.  Your instincts were correct and you have the right to insist on the person using proper technique.  If that person doesn't comply ask for someone else!

[Wildrose]

I guess I'm not sure it was a tech... I assumed it was a tech but I could be very wrong. They didn't even have name badges so who knows who they were. lol I thought I had heard though that you don't even have to be a nurse or medical experience to work as a dialysis tech? But maybe I heard wrong.

[jeannea]

Don't beat around the bush. Say calmly and firmly "you need to wear a mask." Consider reporting this to the clinic manager. Or say that you would like another tech even if you have to wait.

I don't know the laws everywhere. Here in PA the techs are not RNs. There is an RN in the room.

I was on hemo for 6 months before PD. I liked to sleep after my treatments. I would get home around 8 pm, eat a little, take my pills, and go to bed. But I was also recovering from months of severe illness and that's tiring too.

[adairpete]

I had the tunnel catheter for awhile and the mask is a must! "It flew away" means he/she needs to go get a new one! That's a big deal with chest catheters. I got an exit site staph infection and that's not something you want to risk because a tech is too lazy to go get one! To answer your question, I always felt like I was buzzing afterwards, like elictricity was running through me. I absolutely hated hemo and also had a migraine each and every session but that was purely psychological.

[noahvale]

*

[adairpete]

When I had my chest catheter (at a Fresenius clinic) a tech could do the hook-up and unhooking, but they had to have the training and 6 months experience.  They didn't have to be a nurse.  It might be different at different clinics.  I asked a tech what education they needed and was surprised at the answer.  They don't have to have any.  They get a 6-week training course through Fresenius and then are let loose on the floor.  I generally take anything a tech tells me with a huge grain of salt. 

[Desert Dancer]

But what would any of you on hemo have done if a tech was not using proper procedure during something like that?

The first thing you need to know is that 90% of the population is walking around with staph colonizing their nostrils. Some of those people will be walking around with MRSA. The other thing you need to know is that a lot of people wipe themselves and don't wash their hands afterwards and you can't tell who does this by looking. They're also touching other patients who may have nasty things like TB or hepatitis.

It happened to me more than once when I was in-center. Once it was gloves, once it was a mask (or lack thereof on a tech who had the flu). I had a catheter both times. I just said, "I need you to wear a mask" and "Can you put on some gloves, please" and would not allow them to touch me until they had done so. Yep, they caught attitudes about it but that's not my problem. I'm the one at risk for infection, not them, and a catheter goes straight into your heart. Technicians not wearing masks and/or gloves puts you in gravely unsafe territory and being politely silent about it will get you nowhere but potentially dead.

[Wildrose]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I will definatly speak up next time.

Had my second hemo treatment today and just felt horrible most of the day. Exhausted, a bit shaky, sweaty, a little confused in the head... just no energy all day. Yuck.

[Whamo]

Wildrose,  Hang in there, and try to adapt.  That will make it easier, if not easy.

[adairpete]

Good luck, Wildrose, and hang in there!  The first few treatmeants are the worst as everyone is different and the nurses/techs have to "dial-in" your individual needs.  The symptoms you were experiencing sound like they took too much fluid off or it could also be your body adjusting.  It's not a natural process for your blood to be zooming in and out of your body like it does during hemo.  Don't be afraid to speak up if you want them to take less off or anything you're uncomfortable with-it's all for and about you!

 

[Wildrose]

This is an old post but I wanted to confirm that it *was* a tech dealing with my catheter. Apparently it is allowed in this state because its the techs hooking me on and off all the time, not a nurse.