April 11th is the day

[mamagemini]

for the AV fistula surgery. Going tomorrow for the anesthesia appt. How long did you heal after and what should I expect after the surgery?

[MooseMom]

The day my fistula was created was probably the worst day of my life.  I was so profoundly agitated and upset that I sobbed as I was being prepped for surgery.  I demanded general anesthetic, not a mere "shoulder block" as the surgeon had recommended, and I practically yelled that I did NOT want to remember a THING about this day.  I was a real basket case but I didn't care.  I had been a volunteer at the hospital so a lot of the nurses knew me, and they tried to be encouraging but I was having none of it.   

After alll of that, the surgery went perfectly and the surgeon was ever so proud of his work.  My arm and shoulder were completely numb and useless for the rest of the day, but I just went home and went to bed anyway, so I didn't care.  I was given a prescription for painkillers but discovered that I didn't really need them.  I never had that much pain from the wound itself.

I specifically asked about exercising my fistula in order to quicken its maturation, but both the surgeon and my neph told me to "just ignore it", and that's a direct quote from both of them.  My surgeon urged me to use my arm as normal but to, of course, exercise caution just as you would do with any surgical wound.  I've heard different people post about differing advice about post surgery care/exercise, and it occurs to me that if your neph thinks you will be using the fistula sooner than later, he might have you do some exercises.

I will tell you that after my fistula was created and I was reassured that it was marvellous, a lot of my general anxiety abated (but not all of it!).

Good luck to you on the 11th.

[Riverwhispering]

Mama it's not that bad of a surgery really.  The first one I had they gave me that twilight stuff so I was totally stoned and didn't care about anything once they got that stuff running thru my veins.  By the time they wheeled me in the operating room.  I remember them putting my arm on a board or something and next thing I knew it was over and I was waking up.  I didn't feel any pain until my ride home and we stopped at the drug store to get the prescription for the pain meds.    I hope all goes well with you and it's a easy experience.   

[bevvy5]

Hubby was given a small sponge type ball and told to squeeze it as much as he could while watching TV etc., to exercise and mature the fistula.

He suffered some coldness and tingling in his fingers.  Stil has it at times, but he has some neuropathy problems in his other extremities too.

[Sue]

Good luck Mama I'm having mine done on the 10th!!  I'm staying in hospital overnight, I've booked a week off work, so hoping that recovery is quick! Dr told me that I will need to do exercises  - squeezing soft rubberl ball, not sure how long that goes on for 

[Riverwhispering]

Just want to mention again about the battery operated gloves.  I have to use mine on the hand of my fistula arm because when they made the fistula it created "Steal Syndrome" where the blood is drawn away from the hand because of the fistula.  My fingers get so cold and often turn purple and numb so I bought these heated motorcycle gloves that have rechargeable batteries.  I only use the one glove and it looks silly when people see it but hey, it works great.  I bought a camouflage glove so I can tell people "you're not supposed to be able to see it"  I can not sleep without the glove on or it goes very numb and keeps me awake.  I also know a woman that lost the tip of a finger in the winter because of it when she was outside and got frost bite and didn't even realize it.  check it out at www.gerbing.com

 http://coreheat.net/Products/Products.html#Gloves

[wvgirl]

River, I have had my fistula since October. It is actually doing great, in fact maybe getting too big? The doctor told me to stop using the ball. I had to have a revision done Monday because of a few branches that had to be tied off, but was told the fistula is ready to go. 
At night, while I sleep and when I am driving the car my hand gets numb. I have been ignoring it because I thought maybe it was how I was sleeping, or holding it on the steering wheel. Is this something I should be telling the doctor? Where did you get the glove?

[Mr. B 123]

Fistula operation was no problem for me, went home in the afternoon and took next day off, then back to work.  Both the surgeon and the neph. said not to use an squeeze ball, it was done in the past and not done anymore.  I had mine done in June 2011 and is ready to go when I need it.  Good luck, hope all goes well!!!

[Sue]

That's good to hear Mr B, Could you drive within a short time?

[Riverwhispering]

WVgirl I posted the link for the glove in the previous post.   My hand used to go numb all the time at night until I started wearing the glove at night.  It also goes numb now and again when I'm driving or just sitting doing nothing and almost most of the time my fingers are freezing compared to the other hand.  I wear the glove when they start to turn purple which happens sometimes even in the dead of summer when it's hot outside.  The glove is my new best friend 

[wvgirl]

Thank you River. dah me! I didn't see the link.

I had my fistula in October. Within a few days it was fine. I was told to squeeze a ball and use a 5 lb weight. I could feel the thrill right after surgery and now I feel it all the way up in my neck. I wonder if using the ball may have anything to do with how long they think it will be before you need it? Or maybe different surgeons just have different opinions? I was down to about gfr 11 when I got mine done. I still haven't used it but am at 7 now.

[mamagemini]

Well I went to the pre-anesthesia appt and they seem concerned over my coughing and asthma issues. It is not under control. I now have to get an EKG, PST (lung clearance) and blood work. If I cannot get the lung thing done in time they may reschedule it. I also and they said this was mandatory...have to have someone with me for 24 hours after the surgery. I had to text my kids and ask if one of them could be there for it, so my daughter is coming down. I am also going to talk to the anesthesia person about the Twilight that I have had before and how much I would rather have it! The regular one makes me vomit when I wake up....ugh. So I have 3 days to get all this done or else they will reschedule...well folks I have an HMO. That isnt going to happen...lol. We will just have to wait and see.

[Mr. B 123]

That's good to hear Mr B, Could you drive within a short time?

I was driving in 2 days.

[mamagemini]

Well it's been moved to the medical center instead of the outpatient center due to the uncontrolled asthma. The doctor is worried and wants me where I can get help if needed. So it has also been rescheduled to next Wednesday. SO much stress over this! They had me get an echocardiogram, ekg labs, and a pulmonary clearance all with in 3 working days---then cancelled it! Aiaiaiaiaiaia......
Well its all for a reason I guess. 
The nurse did tell me that they cannot do a local or a block because they have to go deep almost to my arm pit. Too much pain and that I need to be out for that. ugh. That freaked me out a bit, but now I'm okay. 

[Sue]

I had my fistula op yesterday 10th - Just got home from hospital. No real pain just a little achy. My son has just been to visit, he was a little freaked out when I let him feel the 'thrill' lol
I hope it all goes well for you Mama, I was certainly very glad that I was asleep thru it all !!

[mamagemini]

I am happy to hear that great outcome! Please keep me informed on your progress.

[willowtreewren]

 

[Sue]

I am happy to hear that great outcome! Please keep me informed on your progress.

Thank you - the base of my thumb is numb, Dr said that could last for up to 3 months, I have some achy pain in my upper arm - not sure why that would be .......

[mamagemini]

Did they  give you a number to call just in case?

[Sue]

Yes I can ring VS if I need to .... I have a huge bruise on my wrist now - I guess that is to be expected !! Still no pain tho thank goodness lol

[mamagemini]

I am really glad there is no pain!! So it sounds as if it is healing well so far. 

[Sue]

It's healing very well - the dressing is off now and I'm pleased that the scar isn't too bad   Thrill is present !

[MomoMcSleepy]

I'm so glad this thread is here.  My surgery has been rescheduled a few times already, and it undisclosed to be this Wednesday.  I am trying not to let in or scare people, but I am completely freaked out!  I just don't laberge idea of them playing around with me veins and such.  I took an extra day off from work and am to return for Friday.  My boss was bummed that I took the extra day, but I am not sure if I'll need meds or what.

So, your answers are somewhat comforting, but I wish I could wait longer!. Just the idea of it creeps me right out.

Also, I have numbness and tingling/reynaud's anyway.. My fingers go white, then get red/purple.  I've cut myself before and not noticed til the blood returned half an hour later.  Don't you guys have this?  I figured it was a kidney thing.  Doctors are unconcerned.

[mamagemini]

Momo - it will be fine! I was worried but the hospital was awesome and very helpful to answer everything I had to ask. 
It was tough going after but one thing to remember - "this too shall pass."