What was your GFR when you got your fistula?

[idahospud]

My GFR is clamming up there faster the Dr wont's me to git my fistula in now .So I'm curious as to what others GFR was when thy got therefistula in ? thank you in Evans. Carol

[paddbear0000]

I'm at 9% and still don't have my fistula! But don't go by my situation. The first 2 nephs I saw kept telling me that I didn't need to get a fistula yet, even though I was below 20% function. Obviously they were idiots.

[peleroja]

I've never had a fistula, as my kidneys failed so fast I went straight from permacath to PD, but when I started dialysis my GFR was 11%.

[kellyt]

I believe I got my fistula when my GFR was at 10%.  When I transplanted I was at 7%.

[Rerun]

It will take time to heal, so get it now.  If you wait too long, and they have to start dialysis before your access is ready or healed then you have to get a permacath in your chest for an emergency access for dialysis and that is no fun.

Bite the bullet and go get the access created before you really need it.

Just Do It!     

[BRANDY]

My gfr is 16.97 , I am now getting my fistula in the near future  .  I have done the sonagram on both arms ,I am waiting to see surgeon on the 3rd of Feb. I also am diabetic  that may have some effect on getting it now ..   

[paddbear0000]

I am a type 1 diabetic too, but that didn't stop some idiot doctors from putting it off!

[Tinah1968]

mine was at 12

[Wallyz]

Around here they schedule at around 15.  Mine was 13 when I went into the hospital with pulmonary edema.

[Wattle]

I went straight onto PD at an eGFR of 5.

I know, I know way to late... I was dragged kicking and screaming. 

It is much better to be prepared both physically and mentally.   

[paddbear0000]

I am ready mentally, but not physically!

[BRANDY]

Wallyz are you diabetic?

[JeffKinzer]

I got my first fistula really early.  My kidneys (Im PKD) were getting so big, that they were painful.  So in December of 04, I spoke to my nephrologist, and over the next 5 months, I started getting ready for the transplant list, got my fistula put in etc.  On 7/22/2005, I had my first dialysis (though I didnt need it yet).  On 07/25/2005, I had 1 of my kidneys removed.   That removal pushed me to need dialysis.  Kidney was over 10 lbs!

[RightSide]

Things happened real fast with me.  I got diagnosed with ESRD, the tests showed my GFR was 13 (10% of normal), they admitted me to the hospital for the HD catheter.  And now I just had the vein mapping for the fistula.  I can only assume my GFR is about the same as it was when they put the catheter in (13), or maybe a bit lower.

[staceyand joe92]

I went from 12% to 7% in two weeks so I ended up with a permacath.   I had my fistula surgery when I was 5 months into dialysis.  I thought I had a match for transplant but it didn't work out.  I wish I would have had the fistula surgery first......I HATE the permacath.

[Wenchie58]

My GFR was 15 and we were discussing fisutla when my transplant came through!

[kiddykat]

I just had my sonagram done in search of good veins for my fistula.  The tech that did the sonagram thought he was Indiana Jones or something!  (Maybe it was the big floppy hat??)  Anyways, he had a hell of a time finding a good strong vein to support the fistula.  Unfortuately he said my right arm was useless...but he discovered a good one in my left arm!  Of course, I'm left handed, but oh well... I only write and use a fork with my left arm, and we know thats what got me here "On The Road to Dialysis" hell in the first place! (Isn't that a Bob Hope movie??)

My GFR is at 14 and it's been at 14 for about 6 months.  I resisted having it done too... but that's just denial kicking in.   I thought I was having the fistula surgery at my appointment a couple days ago, but apparently I was wrong, and it's scheduled for this coming Wednesday.  But the vascular surgeon said he had to do the procedure in 2 surgeries!  Why??  Because my vein is so deep they have to do the actual fistula first, and then another surgery to bring it up towards the surface!   Ahhh, yet another tribute to my fat arms!

So I'm being totally vigilent about my diet in the hopes that my GFR doesn't drop so low that I need the more drastic procedure.  I guess if it drops below 10 it has to be considered?  Other then diet... are there things that we can do to stay the dropping of our GFR number?

I've actualy grown to like my Neph.  I told him I only come back to see him because he's got a cute ass.   
I think he secretly digs that!  Hey, if you can make your doctor smile occasionally, its a good thing!
 

[paddbear0000]

Kiddykat--I don't think fat has much to do with the depth of veins. I'm very thin, yet I have to have a second surgery to bring my fistula to the surface too. My surgeon said i have very deep veins. My first surgery is on Friday. Good luck!   

[Lucinda]

Get it as soon as you can.  I got mine when my GFR was at 7 percent and now I am down to 5.  I had my graft put in two years ago and still haven't started dialysis.  No damage in it being there and ready to go! x