Hospitalized and nervous!

[LILO714]

I came to the ER last night with severe shortness of breath in which I would have thought they would put me on oxygen, but NO I sat there gasping for air. The first thing that I was asked is what insurance do I have per the doctor, I don't understand why they wouldn't have asked that in admitting. Moving on I finally get xrays and EKG. I'm assuming its not normal since I've been having them done every 2 hrs. Lab guy comes and since I'm a hardstick and as most you know now they have one arm to mutilate. After 10 attempts to just draw blood and 4 attempts in putting in an IV, I think I'm done with the torture, but to my surprise, lab guy is back and forgot to do some blood cultures. Another hour goes by and doc comes in and says its time to dialyze, being that my fistula is not mature yet, then I know what he plans on doing...catheter. I ve heard some horror stories and do not want it done. I have some kind of infection and I'm trying to decide what do I do. My gfr is slightly under 13, but my bp and sugars are out of control as well as swelling and the shortness of breath. Does anyone think its too early to start dialysis?

[amanda100wilson]

the right time to start is when you are symptomatic, and the doctor can get Andover-ride on the Medicare cut-off for starting.  personally, Ido 't think that they would do this unless they considered it necessary.

[boswife]

sounds like a lot of symptoms there and..... something to think about is, the cath is not fun of course but if your having these problems, well, it's better to take care of them now i'd think.  Bo didnt have any 'issues' w/cath except for the hardship of the showers situation and i know others the same.  If your fluid overload, that hurts your heart as well sooooooo, hopfully, you have some faith in the dr's and can follow comfortably with what they suggest.  Also, even if they need to just get the fluid off, and detox you, you still may not have to continue for a while.  I've known of that happening too.  Someone going in thinking 'this was it' but got off for a number of years until starting the 'real thing'... Best of luck, wishing you well

[bleija]

i had a pretty uneventful catheter, had no problems at all with it for the 6 months i had it, and u alreay have a fistula so hopefully it will get on the ball and mature... so u wont have to have the cath for very long. the biggest pain with them for me was that first dialysis session immediately after having it placed, and the previous day having had my PD cath removed.(i was on pain meds and t=dialysis takes all that away) as long as u watch the techs make sure they have gloves and and make sure they have masks when ur exposed... oh and the no shower bit, another pain, never really felt clean during that time.

[mamagemini]

 

[Grumpy-1]

I never had a problem with my chest catheter either.  It was a pain to shower, but it is doable.  Just make sure you try to keep the area clean as possible between dialysis sessions.  I will assume the nurses would know to keep it clean and how to handle the connections and cleaning and such.  Grumpy

[Wat76]

I shower with my catheter every other day just to be safe, you get a kit to cover it, love it. My techs are very  good, they change my bandage first so that they can observe and  can check it for irritations and then they connect me. Be careful, I notice some leave theirs dangling, I tell the tech to tape it all the way down, I am too clumsy. So far so good.

[Traveller1947]

With the symptoms you're having, I don't think it's too soon to start dialysis.  That catheter that you're worried about will turn out to be your best friend for the short while you'll have it.  After a few dialysis treatments, you'll be able to breathe well again and once you're rid of the toxins that have been building up in your body, you'll feel better too.  The THOUGHT of all this is much scarier than the reality.  Meanwhile, build up your fistula as you're able and you'll be rid of that catheter in no time.  All the best to you.

[AnnieB]

 

[bevvy5]

Hubby had a cather for about five months.  No issues either, just need to be aware of what to be watchful for re infection.  With those symptoms, shortness of breath especially, sounds like it might be time. 

I hope you feel better soon. 

[natnnnat]

My husband started dialysis with a thigh catheter back in the 80s.  It wasn't fun but he also often says that that first dialysis was one of the best feelings of his whole life, the relief of getting the toxins out and the fluid off.  You might find the same relief.  He was nearly dead though, silly man, he left it way too long to drag himself to a doctor and get his kidney failure diagnosed.