tourniquet - to use or not to use

[angieskidney]

 


So I know I need to use one but how do you know when you should be using it and when you shouldn't be?

[renal30yrs]

I squeeze my dialysis arm with my other arm while they cannulizing me.  Gives an adequate and gentle enough pressure.

[angieskidney]

Well I am back to using it because it keeps the fistula from rolling but I don't let them flush the lines with it on. I am so happy they are letting me be in total control. Maybe just because they don't want to hear me bitch but I don't care! I want my way damn it! 

[Panda_9]

Doesn't help when the nurses don't exactly make me feel confident in their skill when the one nurse said to me, "those aren't buttonhole needles" (the green clamp lines). I told her they are and that the regulars have white clamps. She said, "Oh the buttonhole lines used to haev red clamps.."

Made me wonder how long it has been for her 

I wouldnt take any notice of what colour the clamps are, you only have to look at the tip of the needle to know what it is. If they are using blunts on you then they must be going in the right spot each time, otherwise the blunts wouldnt go in.

[angieskidney]

Doesn't help when the nurses don't exactly make me feel confident in their skill when the one nurse said to me, "those aren't buttonhole needles" (the green clamp lines). I told her they are and that the regulars have white clamps. She said, "Oh the buttonhole lines used to haev red clamps.."

Made me wonder how long it has been for her 

I wouldnt take any notice of what colour the clamps are, you only have to look at the tip of the needle to know what it is. If they are using blunts on you then they must be going in the right spot each time, otherwise the blunts wouldnt go in.

Thank you!

[Black]

Mike's first dialysis was 2/5/07.  We have been at home with the NxStage since 2/26/07 -- still using sharps but the venous has been ready ready for the blunts for several days, and the arterial is very close.  We haven't used the tourniquet in the last week and the needles go in well.

(Bill, if you were here I'd ask you if I should demand that the training nurse send us some blunts, and you'd probably scold me for changing topics in mid-thread.)  Anyone think I should demand the blunts?  Or should I continue to use the sharps for another month?  If we can get the blunts in without the tourniquet, shouldn't we be using them?  (I promise I won't go off topic again.)