Fistula- my arm is soar/tender, hurts to the touch

[jwlikins]

I've been using this fiscula now for about 2 months.  Started both needles about a month ago.  My arm was pretty sore at first but now doesn't feel too bad.  Unless it gets infiltrated, then all bets are off.  I discovered if a tech sticks me it usually goes fine, if a nurse sticks my, 3 out of 4 times I was infiltrated.  Needless to say I don't let the nurses mess with needles around me anymore.

[monrein]

For those of you with buttonholes.  Does anyone do them themselves?  Why does it have to be a nurse or tech?  I stick myself (well I did last time around for 5 years) because it does ensure consistency and some nurses were just plain lousy at it, always going for the easiest location instead of moving steadily along the fistula.  I also don't like flipping the needles which they often liked to do.  I read somewhere that constant needle flipping can scrape away little bits on the inside of the vein.  I know that sometimes the options are very limited but in my case this worked well.