Getting a Graft but not using it yet

[wcmjt]

I am Stage 5 kidney failure with PKD.  My GFR is floating around 12-13.  Lately I am have more episodes of nausea.  Still can eat but sometimes it does effect the amount I eat. 
My question is this: I am planning on trying In center Hemodialysis (I am 74 years old) and have been told because of shitty veiins I have to have a Graft.  I get one and don't use it because I continue to stay off of dialysis a while longer, does that create a problem.  I would like to avoid dialysis as long as possible.

[MooseMom]

I confess to not knowing anything about grafts, but I had a fistula created as my egfr edged below 20.  I had it for two years and never used it as I got a pre-emptive transplant.  The unused fistula did not cause any problems during those two years.

Maybe someone who has a graft can give you better information.


I hope you can avoid dialysis for as long as you can, but please do not allow yourself to become too ill before starting.  Best wishes to you.

[iolaire]

Like MooseMom I had a fistula setup a few years before dialysis started.  I think getting your port setup, in your case a graft, before you need it well you are more healthy makes sense.  Otherwise at the same time you need to start dialysis you will need a chest catheter put in, and you will then have the catheter hanging out of your chest, needing to be kept clean, etc. as opposed to having the port on your arm which heals between treatments.