questions and a rant or two

[vivisfab]

I am having my pd catheter taken out and replaced on tuesday...in a previous post I mentioned that I accidentally injected myself in the stomach with an insulin syringe. It hit my catheter and I've been on antibiotics for almost 2 mos. I will need hemo for about 2 weeks until the catheter is healed. I am getting a temp acces in my neck? chest? I don't know what to expect. Will it hurt? Will it leave a scar when I stop using it? Also, for all you ladies out there, my periods have been very irregular since starting dialysis? Is that normal? Any info, would be greatly appreciated! Uggghhhh!!!

[monrein]

First off...what a huge bummer about hitting the pd catheter...I'm still wishing someone would invent that instant recall button that we could just hit and take back the last five minutes any time we wanted.

I found that the catheter insertion in the chest is a very individual thing but it shouldn't hurt terribly if they give you the relaxing drugs (versed I think I had).  It can be very irritating at first because it can feel like it's tugging...mine felt like I had a wire coat hanger with a llightweight coat hanging from my collarbone.  Other people thought that very strange since they didn't feel that.  It can also be sore from the couple of stitches to hold it in place.  The hardest thing for most of us is that you can't really shower with it and it's very important to be careful to avoid infection so don't give in to the temptation to do so.  It leaves a scar but not too big or too bad compared to fistulas and the rest of the scars we tend to accumulate...I have so many now that I never even consider them in the big scheme of things...not minimizing the issue of scars at all but for me that's the very least of what we must tolerate.

As for periods, I had only one a year for the five years of D I did way back before my first transplant.  It seems to be sort of considered a non-essential service by the body when so many other things are going on.  Nutrition can play a role and anemia etc and like anorexics, our bodies often just conserve their energies for more important functions. 

Good luck and I will say that as much as I hate the permacaths, it's good that we have them available for these emergency type situations.  above all, try not to stress out too much and ask for the best drugs they have during the procedure.

[Brianna!]

My permacath left a little scar. Well, two scars, from my two permacaths. It kinda looks like a pimple. It's not that bad, really. And yes, you can't shower with it. But it shouldn't be too bad for you, since you'll only have it in for a few weeks. I was put out completely when they put the permacath in. My period comes every like 4 months, since I've been on dialysis. I think that's kinda "normal" for women on dialysis.

[M3Riddler]

I am having my pd catheter taken out and replaced on tuesday...in a previous post I mentioned that I accidentally injected myself in the stomach with an insulin syringe. It hit my catheter and I've been on antibiotics for almost 2 mos. I will need hemo for about 2 weeks until the catheter is healed. I am getting a temp acces in my neck? chest? I don't know what to expect. Will it hurt? Will it leave a scar when I stop using it? Also, for all you ladies out there, my periods have been very irregular since starting dialysis? Is that normal? Any info, would be greatly appreciated! Uggghhhh!!!

Vivisfab,

The cathetar will be uncomfortable at first at least until you get used to it being there. Just as your PD Cath probably was. It will be sore for a few days to a week. You may ask for something to help with that. Be careful that your clothes do not snag it and try to keep it covered and cleaned on a regular basis. Im sure they will train you on it.
It comes out much easier than going in. Take a deep breath and they pull it out after they cut the stiches holding it in.
It may leave a little scar mark that shouldnt be noticeable after it heals. It may leave a very small scar because sometimes they will make a small incision to place it in...
Dont worry, just ask for some calming meds before hand and you will be fine...

///M3R

[vivisfab]

k. So I had it done...Monrein, that is exactly what it's like, a coat hanger. Lol. Thanks for all the info guys, I really do appreciate it.

[monrein]

 

[gothiclovemonkey]

i wish i had limited periods, when i first started D i didnt have one, now they are evil   
When u go to get that cath taken out, be warned it sounds very odd and its not exactly comfortable. Idk if they knock u out there for that, but they did not knock me out when removing it, just a local, and i heard every cut with the scissors and he had me cough to remove it, it was very uncomfortable.

[Henry P Snicklesnorter]

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