Swelling in Arm after dialysis

[Golferchick]

My dad has dialysis 3 times a week and after each time his arm and fingers (with fistula) is swollen and gets a big bruise (and lump sometimes). The hospital did a scan to see if there was a blood clot - there wasn't. Both the hospital and dialysis center say that it is because of dialysis and to raise him arm up on a pillow to drain the blood down from his fingers and arms.

Had anyone had this happen? Suggestions on how to keep this from happening or to make it less uncomfy for him?

[okarol]

Did they suggest ice or heat to help with pain? The bruising sounds like an infiltration to me, although the swelling is worrisome. When a needle accidentally becomes dislodged into the subcutaneous tissue the venous return needle with a typical pump speeds a potentially huge volume of fluid can enter the soft tissue before the pump stops in response to the alarm for elevated venous pressure.

[RightSide]

Did your dad move his arm (the one with the access) during the treatment?

I made the mistake of moving my arm and infiltrated.

Since then, I've asked the techs to tape my arm to the chair, so I can't move it until the treatment is over.

[Golferchick]

His arm is taped down to a board and they are pretty good about watching him. I think it needs to be iced afterwards but center doesn't listen to me on that one.

I am going to strongly suggest that they ice it afterwards. Can't hurt.

[talker]

My dad has dialysis 3 times a week and after each time his arm and fingers (with fistula) is swollen and gets a big bruise (and lump sometimes). The hospital did a scan to see if there was a blood clot - there wasn't. Both the hospital and dialysis center say that it is because of dialysis and to raise him arm up on a pillow to drain the blood down from his fingers and arms.

Had anyone had this happen? Suggestions on how to keep this from happening or to make it less uncomfy for him?

I've noticed that some dialysis techs can do a needle insertion (yes, I know it's called some thing like cannulation but I dislike getting lost in medical terms) and all is well.  Other dialysis techs upon needle insertion will get the arm swelling immediately.
Some dialysis techs need to fish around before the needle gets the sweet spot.(HA ha. ouch)
Those times when NOT all is going well, ice is applied while dialysis is taking place.
One time I actually had four (4) needles in my arm, and I mentioned to the RN getting her 'practice', one more try and if you miss the vein again, unhook me I'm going home. Another more experienced tech took over and got the needle in properly.
 
Actually, one time there was a ballooning of the arm 1/4th the normal size, and I made them stop and went home and iced the arm for ten hours with ice on 1 hour and ice off  a half hour.
 

[dublin]

My dad has dialysis 3 times a week and after each time his arm and fingers (with fistula) is swollen and gets a big bruise (and lump sometimes). The hospital did a scan to see if there was a blood clot - there wasn't. Both the hospital and dialysis center say that it is because of dialysis and to raise him arm up on a pillow to drain the blood down from his fingers and arms.

Had anyone had this happen? Suggestions on how to keep this from happening or to make it less uncomfy for him?

hi golferchick i do dialysis 3 days a week aswell in center i asked the nurse about my swelling in my hand but more about the swelling in the fingers they tell me its normal that this happens as the flow of blood is greAT IN THE FISTULA ARM so this causes the swelling SOMETIMES I GET THE NURSES TO FILL ONE OF THEIR RUBBER GLOVES THAT THEY USE WITH WARM WATER AND IT DOES WORK ASWELL , ALSO IF YOUR DAD DOES WHAT I DO and HANG MY HAND DOWN just of the pillow ( sorry for the caps ) just slightly have your hand pointing off the pillow POINTING TO THE FLOOR i found that this WORKS well , dont hold the water glove while doing this as its arkward to do i hope that helps yous  :thumbup;golferchick and i hope you and your dad is doing well bye for now.

Regards

Dublin