Fistula question

[Sue]

I had my fistula formation op about 4 weeks ago, it is in my right forearm, op went well, thrill present. My question is this - how far up my arm should I be able to feel the 'thrill" ?  It is very clear just above scar, but then my vein has a bit of a kink and all I can feel is a very faint 'buzz' Is that normal ?

[MomoMcSleepy]

What do you mean by a bit of a kink?  I would just call the Access people, cause I think the thrill might feel or sound different depending on placement, and what one person had might be different from another.  Has the thrill changed?  Has this "kink" always been there? 

[Rerun]

I'm thinking as long as you feel a buzz at all that is good.  If it narrows off you won't feel anything.

[Sue]

Ok thanks  
Momo the kink is where my vein sort of bends lol natural line of my vein I guess  ! but it is at that point where the thrill changes. It's very strong before that then much weaker.

[Renal-dialysis.net]

I think itis normal and no problem dont worry about it

[Sue]

I had a scan today to check my fistula, apparently it is narrow just above my wrist and will probably need 'work' like a balloon being put in to enlarge it?  The sonographer said that this is quite common, has anyone else had this and if so what can I expect?

[MomoMcSleepy]

So it's narrow where you felt it was weak, near the kink?  See?  You know your body.  Sorry that happened, I have been warned that things like that happen often and they just revise, that's another reason to get it so early,I guess, so I'm  glad that I  have this now, and just hope that I never need it!  My fistula is my friend!  It's annoyingly noisy and a little fat, but really entertaining at parties and would save my life if I needed it. 

I hope things go well when they revise it!  It's good that you are able to get a wrist one!. Exclamation point!

but really, good luck 

[Sue]

Thanks Momo - Yes I was happy that it is in my wrist - not so happy that it is in my right wrist as I am right handed and hope to do home HD - however the veins in my left arm were not suitable so the Dr seemed to think that it was better to have an efficient working fistula than to consider my convenience 

[natnnnat]

Gregory is getting a wrist one.  The fistula surgeon did a fistula mapping thing and decided that his veins aren't as good at the wrist as they are in the forearm, but they should be good enough for a wrist fistula which is a better fistula to have.  More long lived, I think he said.  And probably easier to access too: Gregory puts his own needles in, but he's right handed and this (his second) fistula has to go on the right arm.  On the wrist will be easier to get the needles in with the 'wrong' hand than if it were up in the forearm too.

[Rain]

I have a forearm fistula on my left hand ( my dominant) and i self needle with no problems.  When i first got my fistula i had the same thing, i little kink that had to be worked out. 

[mamagemini]

Mine is in the crook of my right arm and growing up my arm. Sometimes it buzzes and feels like a bug is caught in there....lol. Now I can feel the thrill up my arm sometimes....very weird feeling. Apparently it is not BIG enough for the doctor so they want me to do the squeeze ball.