exercising arm before fistula

[BRANDY]

I have read different messages on the fistula's.  Well do you try to exersize  the arm you are putting fistula in or not .  You say you have got to after surgery. what about before , it wont hurt will it?  I have a weak arm  I   have been trying to strengthen the arm  It is hard for me to even open a jar  sometimes. Even a soda    Im not hurting arm at alll am I?


Edited: Fixed spelling error in subject line - okarol/admin

[Zach]

You say you have got to after surgery. what about before , it wont hurt will it? 

There was a small study that found exercising the arm several weeks before the fistula surgery can be beneficial.

[okarol]

These resources can help you get ready to have an AV fistula:

Maintaining Your Lifeline
12-page newsletter has a page on the topic of getting ready for access placement, with information for the week before surgery, night before, and during the hospital stay. From ESRD Network 12 (the Heartland Kidney Network).

Caring for & Developing Your New Fistula: What You Should Know
Tri-fold brochure tells you what exercises you can do before fistula surgery to help your fistula to develop well and mature faster. From the Heartland Kidney Network (formerly ESRD Network 12).

Putting "U" in Fistula
12-page newsletter shows you isometric exercises to help prepare your veins for a fistula. It also describes the day of surgery - what to expect, what to bring, and what to do. From ESRD Network 12 (the Heartland Kidney Network).

Conquering Your Fistula Fear
3-page fact sheet presents tips for coping with fear about fistula surgery or the hospital stay. From the Heartland Kidney Network, with input from the 18 ESRD Networks across the nation.

To access these topic go to http://www.fistulafirst.org/patients/preparing_for_surgery.php

[paddbear0000]

Karol, that info is great! I have my fistula surgery Friday, so the timing was perfect.

[BRANDY]

Good luck paddbear on fistula. Mine is next Thursday. Thanks for the link okarol sounds to be what I need.