New to dialysis and it hasnt started well

[charlie boy]

I have had progressive kidney failure for a few years, but now have started hd. I have a fistula but because of long term steroid use for cancer and copd, my skin is fragile and so is the fistula. It keeps blowing, and it seems like the nurses are going too deep. I am keeping pretty well in myself, but I find the whole procedure unreal. My wife comes with me to dialysis and we treat it like a part time job - only we don't get paid!

[Michael Murphy]

Charlie boy dialysis ain't easy.  While a fistula is the best option it not the only one.  Graft is an other option.  I would go back to your nephrologist or your vascular surgeon and explain your problems.  Dialysis is like having a job.    Every one wants you to be successful don't be silent about your problems but go to the doctor and tell him your concerns,  I have seen too many people try to  work through a issue with out involving the care givers.

[cassandra]

Welcome to the site charlie boy. I'm sorry you have problems with your fistula. Are the nurses using short needles? I also used steroids for 26 years and for some reason skin and tissue are even weaker than I thought. I must be honest and say that I only found that out after starting needling myself. But since than I've never infiltrated myself, yet  .  After some time the fistula will get stronger, and easier to needle though.

Good luck, and take care, Cas

[Bambino_Bear]

 

Have you thought of doing PD at home or home hemo?  A lot people on here prefer to do their treatments at home.

[Darthvadar]

Hi Charlie Boy...

Hope it gets better for you...

Exploring other treatments might be interesting... I know that my mum was never happy on Haemo, but was on PD...

Let us know how it works out...

Darth... Moderator...