Fistula Question ...........

[ToddB0130]

I had mine done Thursday. (yes I'm squeezing the ball thingee) ........

This morning I noticed the skin on the top of my hand (up to my thumb and index finger) is really dry and scaly now.

Is this common ??   Otherwise,  I feel the 'thrill' and things seem fine.

THANKS

[Rerun]

Maybe they taped your hand down and it is from that.  Otherwise I don't know.  Put lotion on.

[ToddB0130]

Thanks Rerun ...... no,  there definitely was NOT tape that far up my hand.  I'm seeing a doctor for another issue tomorrow and I'll show it to them and ask as well.    I thought it might be a common 'side effect' of the surgery.

[willowtreewren]

Todd, it might be that your hand is not getting as much blood as it did in the past. Do mention it to your doctor. In the meantime, keep lotion on it. Sarna is especially good (though a bit pricey)!

Aleta

[ToddB0130]

Another dumb question (sorry --- this fistual is really new !) ............should I NOT be using the fingers on the fistula hand to test my blood sugars ?  I'm going to start testing on the other hand just in case.   Asking this four days later seems dumb,  but I just did a check using the fitula hand and though 'Hey, you probably shouldn't be doing this'.   As I said in another post, my vascular doctor advised me of NOTHING after the surgery ... a real d**k.   

[Rerun]

Not sure about blood sugar checks, but I think you should wait on squeezing the ball for a couple of weeks.  That crossed my mind when I read that you are squeezing the ball.  Might check with your vascular surgeon.

[CebuShan]

Hey Todd, I am the Queen of Dumb Questions! It seems that no matter how well your neph or other drs explain it, tons more questions come up. I don't know about using your fingers for testing. I know not to let anyone take BP or start an IV. As far as dry skin, I look like an alligator junkie! I use a product called, "Bag Balm". You can get it at any farm and feed store and I think Walmart carries it. Not too expensive but works pretty good.

[ToddB0130]

Thanks for all the help and advice.  You're all swell.... I think I'll stop the ball squeezing until I see the doctor I'm visiting tomorrow.

[Pam]

I had to have 2 surgeries for my fistula. I didn't use that hand for blood testing until after the second surgery healed. I've been testing on both hands since I started dialysis 33 months ago and I've never had any problems. While I was only using 1 hand, the callouses sure built up fast.
Pam

[malaka]

I asked my vascular surgeon and my nephro about glucose testing in my left hand as fistula is in left arm.  No problems, as I was told, as long as I'm sticking my fingers and not anywhere on the back of my left arm.  And I'm on coumadin, too, so bleeding could be a problem.  But apparently not.   In fact, the longer the fistula is in place, the less I notice it.  Itchy has gone away over the incision.  Of course, nobody's sticking it with needles yet.   I was warned about blood pressure measurements and blood sample draws in left arm, however.

[ToddB0130]

The verdict is in .... it appears to be contact dermititis (possibly from whatever solution they slathered on my hand during the surgery).  Some hydrocortizone with steroid in it should do the trick.  Of course,  the doctor said the solution had been on most of my arm.  An explanation about why this dry, scaly skin is on a three inch surface only ??  Ha .... of course not !!  As I said in another thread ...  Our bodies are WEIRD !!

[MooseMom]

I'm glad it's not some bizarre renal side effect.  Just a plain ol' allergic reaction.