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Author Topic: fistula ?? help if you can!  (Read 14989 times)
idahospud
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« on: January 17, 2009, 09:00:18 AM »
not Sher what to do .  ??? my gfr is 17 the Dr. is toking about going ahead and pouting in my fistula . so at what gfr did some of you git your fistula and what are some of the restrictions you have after it has healed? I'm whored wether i can still do my job after i git my fistula I'm a CNA and mentel health TeX . i us my upper body a lot . thanks in avians for all your help. Carol
« Last Edit: January 17, 2009, 05:03:49 PM by idahospud » Logged
monrein
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« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2009, 09:24:12 AM »
I started D when my GFR was about 16 but had the fistula created a bit before. I had hoped to be able to wait for it to fully mature before starting but ended up with a permacath anyway in order to start D because I felt wretched.  I wish I had had the fistula done earlier but things slid downhill quite quickly.   If I were you (but of course I'm not, so you'll need to make your own decision) I'd have it done so it can have time to heal and mature.  The thing to remember about caring for it is not to cut the circulation off in any way at any time.  Your doctor can best advise you about your work activities.

Good luck Idahospud.
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Pyelonephritis (began at 8 mos old)
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« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2009, 09:29:58 AM »
Your fistula needs 6 months to heal before you can use it.  So, may as well get it now.  You will not be able to lift much with that arm and you have to be careful not to reduce circulation on that arm.  Like no more putting your purse strap over that arm or shoulder.  Also get a rubber ball to squeeze to help your fistula mature.  Don't start with the rubber ball squeezing until 2 to 3 weeks after surgery.

This sucks, I know, but if you wait too long then not only do you get the fistula but you get a lovely Permacath hanging out your chest. 

Your job cannot fire you due to health problems.  They need to find you a desk job. 

Once you start dialysis you will be eligible for disability.  You may want to look into that.
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idahospud
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« Reply #3 on: May 01, 2009, 06:56:06 AM »
 :flower;
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willowtreewren
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« Reply #4 on: May 01, 2009, 04:55:14 PM »
Did you get a fistula, Idahospud?

You will read from many folks that their functioning held steady for a long time and then dripped like a rock. That happened to my husband. But thank goodness his fistula was in place.

Aleta
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idahospud
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« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2009, 04:02:17 AM »
willowtreewren thanks for asking  I'm going in 5/6 for my vane mapping and5/7 for my fistula . MY CRIT is up to 3.7 and GFR is now 13 .  your right it can drop fast . I'm quit nervous to do this I hope the anxiety will go away after I git it don . I toked to my boss and she promest me to keep my job and do all she can to see that I don't have to lift to much wt. and work with ency restrictions I mite have . which Mead me feel better I'm glad i have a good boss  wish me luck and thanks for all of your support her at IHD Carol
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dwcrawford
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« Reply #6 on: May 02, 2009, 07:23:43 AM »
this is not an answer but rather a related (i hope) question. 

I thought the fistala would be usable in 10 weeks.  Am I day dreaming.  I  also waited too long.  In november the doctor said  I could make it a couple more years without  dialysis.  In Jan was down to "now".  I waited until April and had cath and fistala at same  time two weeks ago.  Now doing D with cath and thought it  was to be about 10 weeks.

Now my question:  Everyone talks about a trill.  I can't feel it.  Twice I may have.  Doctors, nurses etc say they feel it and its  strong.  If  I can feel it and I can check it daily, what could happen if it doesn't trilll till my next D session when the nurse will check isj?

I need a keeper
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« Reply #7 on: May 02, 2009, 07:45:44 AM »
Quote from: dwcrawford on May 02, 2009, 07:23:43 AM
this is not an answer but rather a related (i hope) question. 

I thought the fistala would be usable in 10 weeks.  Am I day dreaming.  I  also waited too long.  In november the doctor said  I could make it a couple more years without  dialysis.  In Jan was down to "now".  I waited until April and had cath and fistala at same  time two weeks ago.  Now doing D with cath and thought it  was to be about 10 weeks.

Now my question:  Everyone talks about a trill.  I can't feel it.  Twice I may have.  Doctors, nurses etc say they feel it and its  strong.  If  I can feel it and I can check it daily, what could happen if it doesn't trilll till my next D session when the nurse will check isj?

I need a keeper

Are you exercising it?

8)
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dwcrawford
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« Reply #8 on: May 02, 2009, 07:56:56 AM »
Zach, no I'm not.  I thought I was supposed to wait 2 weeks which will be next monday.  I use the left arm a little for things like shutting doors, etc.  I have my squeeze toys ready to go.
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Nothing that I post here is intended for fact but rather for exploration into my personal thought processes.  Any slight, use of words with multiple connotations or other percieved insults are totally unintended.  I reserve my insults for private.
willowtreewren
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« Reply #9 on: May 02, 2009, 11:09:59 AM »
Dan,
My husband's vascular surgeon declared his fistula ready to use in 6 weeks. He didn't have to, though. Once you start exercising it, keep it up.

If you can feel any thrill, it should be fine. I used to worry about my husband's fistula because I couldn't feel the thrill all the way along it. The neph and nurses assured me that every thing was fine and it is a GREAT fistula. I'm anal retentive about things, so I understand your concerns.

Aleta
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idahospud
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« Reply #10 on: May 03, 2009, 05:35:13 AM »
 Do you have to excursus it for ever or just tell you start to us it ?
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willowtreewren
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« Reply #11 on: May 03, 2009, 05:37:38 AM »
Hi, Idaho,
The exercises are squeezing a squishy ball several times a day. That strengthens and enlarges the fistula.

Be sure to ask questions of your medical team and listen carefully to directions. You'll do great.

Aleta
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Carl transplanted with cadaveric kidney, February 3, 2011. :)
idahospud
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« Reply #12 on: May 07, 2009, 08:36:07 AM »
I'm going in to git my fistula in a cupola of hrs wish me luke . Carol
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David13
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« Reply #13 on: May 07, 2009, 08:38:17 AM »
Good luck, Carol!   
Let us know how it goes. . .    :2thumbsup;
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Rerun
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« Reply #14 on: May 07, 2009, 08:44:18 AM »
Quote from: willowtreewren on May 02, 2009, 11:09:59 AM
Dan,
My husband's vascular surgeon declared his fistula ready to use in 6 weeks. He didn't have to, though. Once you start exercising it, keep it up.

If you can feel any thrill, it should be fine. I used to worry about my husband's fistula because I couldn't feel the thrill all the way along it. The neph and nurses assured me that every thing was fine and it is a GREAT fistula. I'm anal retentive about things, so I understand your concerns.

Aleta

You may be getting a Fistula mixed up with a Graft.  Fistulas are made from your own artery and vein and the vein has to mature at least six months to a year.  A graft is usuable within 4 to 6 weeks.  A graft is made from a man made substance. 

I would rather have a graft but they insist on giving me a fistula.

Techs and Nurses call them both fistulas.  Kind of like Kleenix for any tissue.

Dan if you can't feel the thrill, ask the nurse to use her stethascope to hear it.    :secret;
« Last Edit: May 07, 2009, 08:46:08 AM by Rerun » Logged
dwcrawford
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« Reply #15 on: May 07, 2009, 08:48:13 AM »
I can feel it now.  I was trying the wrong place.  It is a fistala... but the surgeon said it would take 10 weeks.  He also said not to let anyone use it until he give the ok...
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Come to think of it, nothing is funny anymore.

Nothing that I post here is intended for fact but rather for exploration into my personal thought processes.  Any slight, use of words with multiple connotations or other percieved insults are totally unintended.  I reserve my insults for private.
willowtreewren
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« Reply #16 on: May 07, 2009, 09:37:40 AM »
Good luck today, Carol.

Rerun, My husband has a fistula, too. In fact, every doctor or nurse who has seen it marvels at how good it is. He had a REALLY good vascular surgeon. At 6 weeks, the surgeon assured my husband that his fistula COULD be used, but of course, he wasn't on dialysis yet.

The fistula is long and fairly straight with one "dog-leg" in the middle. I can ladder up it for three weeks before having to start at the bottom again. I love that fistula. There was another NxStage trainee in the center when I was out of town and my husband had to dialyze in center. Her fistlua was so crooked and short that the nurses (and they are good) couldn't cannulate her. She had gone to a different surgeon.  :'(

Aleta
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kitkatz
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« Reply #17 on: May 07, 2009, 05:52:23 PM »
Good luck Carol on the fistula placement.  :basket: :bunny: :flower;
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idahospud
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« Reply #18 on: May 08, 2009, 10:16:42 PM »
thanks for all the good wishs . i have to go back in tomorrow as the Dr or i can git the thrill or here  pulse today . so i hope the sekent one dus better. ill let you know how this one gos  thnks agin thay help Carol
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willowtreewren
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« Reply #19 on: May 09, 2009, 08:07:18 AM »
I'll be thinking about you, Carol.  :cheer:
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Wife to Carl, who has PKD.
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Carl transplanted with cadaveric kidney, February 3, 2011. :)
idahospud
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« Reply #20 on: May 14, 2009, 10:33:31 PM »
well I'm back it bin a rilly rilly long week . I have had 2 fistula clot off .got a bug  :puke; and spent 4 days in the hospital and still don't have a fistula in . I see the Dr Monday and we will try again . it wasn't Sposato be this hard i wonned to thank all of you for your support Carol
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esherman77
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« Reply #21 on: May 14, 2009, 11:10:07 PM »
Sorry for all your troubles. I know the feeling though. I had a graft that lasted 5 years. I was soooo happy :cheer: Then they put one in my left arm. It took 4 months to get the thing working. Finally it did but as we went on I got less and less good dialysis >:(. After about 1 1/2 years, my clearance level was only about 40%. Talk about bad dialysis. Anyway, so now I have one in my upper right arm. It is called a HeRO vascular access device. Does anyone else have that?

But I hope they get it working for you. Good luck! ;D
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Elaine

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« Reply #22 on: May 15, 2009, 02:18:36 PM »
glad you are back
I do love a nice Idahosup!
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« Reply #23 on: May 15, 2009, 04:13:27 PM »
I am sorry the week has been so bad.  You have had a rough time.  I hope things start getting better.   :cuddle;
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« Reply #24 on: May 15, 2009, 05:56:36 PM »
 :grouphug; :grouphug;  Graft problems and fistula problems are a pain in the ___ (arm, but I like the way you think.)
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lifenotonthelist.com

Ivanova: "Old Egyptian blessing: May God stand between you and harm in all the empty places you must walk." Babylon 5

Remember your present situation is not your final destination.

Take it one day, one hour, one minute, one second at a time.

"If we don't find a way out of this soon, I'm gonna lose it. Lose it... It means go crazy, nuts, insane, bonzo, no longer in possession of ones faculties, three fries short of a Happy Meal, wacko!" Jack O'Neill - SG-1
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