I got infiltrated and clotted!

[kiddykat]

I had my fistual surgery last May 09, but only started Hemo Dialysis 4 weeks ago (mid Nov.). Two days ago during Dialysis, my upper arm fistual became infiltrated.  They stopped the dialysis and told me to come back the next day for a new dialysis treatment.  Upon arriving at my 4:15am appt., they tried to access my fistual but found I had clotting.  So off to Kaiser to be declotted.  The doctor said it was like "roto-rooting" my vein to clear the clots.  During the procedure I heard the word "Stenosis".  Apparently my veins narrowed and the bottom line - my fistual is toast.
I have very thin veins.  When they try to get blood or start an IV on my right arm, they have a hell of a time finding a good vein.  My vascular surgeon chose my left arm for my fistual as it was the best candidate.
NOW that my fistual is usless... the doctors are taking "leg catheter" and "heart catheter".   I can't tell you how terrified I am of these options.  I hear such terrible outcomes from these procedures, like - it's almost impossible to not get an infection.
Are these my only options?   Has anyone else gone through this situation?
I canl't stop crying.

[fc2821]

  Iam sorry this happened to you. especially after going through getting a fistula not to long ago. I hope some more experienced with catheters will help with your concerns. I will  that good resolution is the outcome for you.

[Brianna!]

I have a catheter in right now. I had two fistula. One stopped working a week after I got it. The second one I got, it was too deep, so I needed it to be moved up to the surface. Long scar from my elbow to my armpit on my right arm.

I've never had a leg cateter. But the heart cathater (the one in your neck right?) i've had many times. I've been on dialysis almost a year, and i've only had my catheter out for like a month or two. I'm getting it out the tuesday before new years though! My fistula kept infiltrating so many times too. So I understand what you're going through. For the
catheter I've never had an infection. Not once. Just make sure you don't get it wet. I'm very very very careful with mine.

Maybe they can try a graft?

Just be thankful that you don't have the large scar I have.

[RightSide]

Is a "heart catheter" the type that goes in your neck?

If so, I had one of those for 14 months, and I never had an infection.  I was just very very careful.

Has your neph suggested a graft?  It can be placed in your arm.

[BigSky]

As long as they cleared the clots out and restored blood flow through the fistula its still can be viable even if an area has stenosis.

They can go in with a balloon and widen the area that has stenosis.


Over the years mine has had a couple of areas of stenosis develop and they just widen it up with a balloon. 

Depending on the exact area of stenosis it is also possible to have a stent put in to keep the problem area from getting narrow again.


I would check about those things before resorting to a leg cath or chest cath.

[hurlock1]

I'm only vaguely familiar with the term stenosis. But I think that it has something to do with a narrowing of the vessel.  They'll just fix it with a angioplasty. It doesn't hurt. I was having the same problem early on. They did a fistulegram and did the angioplasty that same day. Now I'm using 14 ga. needles and running at 500. Stop crying! It's your choice. You can choose to be miserable or choose to be happy. Unless the doctors are dimwits, or yours is a special case, (We are  all special cases) every thing will be fine. If they have to put in a cath., it will be temporary. Don't worry about it. Every thing in any of our lives is a series of things that we have done to us. You can do it kicking and screaming or you can do it smiling.

[fc2821]

Every thing in any of our lives is a series of things that we have done to us. You can do it kicking and screaming or you can do it smiling.

hurlock1, this is so true.   

[kitkatz]

Every thing in any of our lives is a series of things that we have done to us. You can do it kicking and screaming or you can do it smiling.

hurlock1, this is so true.

Does whining count, too?


I think that there are times when we have all had enough and need to vent.  These procedures are not picnics and for the most part are very invasive.  Saying "Suck it and get on with it" may work for some people, but many of us need to vent and whine.

[fc2821]

Every thing in any of our lives is a series of things that we have done to us. You can do it kicking and screaming or you can do it smiling.

hurlock1, this is so true.

Does whining count, too?


I think that there are times when we have all had enough and need to vent.  These procedures are not picnics and for the most part are very invasive.  Saying "Suck it and get on with it" may work for some people, but many of us need to vent and whine.

Kitkaz, you have a point.  There comes a time when a person needs to vent.  It helps.    I gues I forgot that.