steal syndrome

[sullidog]

Is it possible to develop steel syndrome anytime throughout the life of the access? My graft is 2 years old and lately I've been getting a cold hand and a bit of achyness from the arterial part of the braft down to my rist area. I have an upper arm graft. It only happens when I'm on the machine but it's unconfortable for me. I had my graft checked last month and the ultrasound showed nothing but just a little bit of outflow narowing at the astimosis but it hasn't seem to affect my pressures bruit or thrill as the thrill is smooth and not weezy like it is when there's a narrowing. so I'm guessing it's not that bad. I had an access flow today and it was 2000, I'm going to ask again if they can do anything about the achiness, but the cold hand I don't mind but the achyness has got to go! It use to be when they'd stick one part of the graft, but now it has gone further up.

[Leanne]

Hi, I'm not totally sure as I have an upper arm fistula.  But, I will say this, when I'm running my hand gets ice cold during treatment as well.  I don' t have the achy problem but half ofmy hand and two of my fingers always go numb or like they are going to sleep.  Drives me nuts sometimes as it is very uncomfortable.  All my numbers are good as well. 

[MightyMike]

Mine gets cold sometimes I don't think its much to be worried about.  My fistula is in the upper part of my arm and my blood flow on hemo is 500 and they said its just because of the speed I run at most patients in my clinic wear a glove on there acces hand.  I would be more worried about your hand if it was going numb but always check with your doctor.

[MommyChick]

Hi there!
I actually been dealing with the same thing the last few months. I have been doing dialysis for 7 yrs & only as of recently my arm started to become really cold & achy to the point where it ached so bad it would make me sick. They told me it was steal syndrome. I have even had ultrasounds of my arm & everything looks fine. When it really starts to bother me they turn my machine down to 450 & even give me a saline bag heated up which normally helps with the coldness. That way I can make it through the whole treatment.
Good Luck!