Fistula surgery yesterday and already problems!!!

[paddbear0000]

As you all know, I had my fistula and catheter surgery yesterday afternoon. I wan to thank everyone for their well wishes and support first of all. I love you guys! Anyway, it is now 4:00 in the morning and I have been up most of the night  because of multiple problems with th esurgeries!!  First of all, I ended up having to get a graft instead because once the doctor got in there, he discovered that my veins just couldn't support a natural fistula. I'm so upset about that!! Now, all night, I kept waking up every half hour or so because my hand in the fistula arm is tingling so bad and going numb. Not only that, but it's cold and I can't feel (hear?) the thrill! So now I'm up, fighting the Vicoden's side effect of knocking me out (it's been a rough night constantly waking up from a vicoden coma!), and trying to keep my hand either hanging down or in use.

I'm also having a lot of pain from both the fistula incisions and the catheter. I just want to cry right now!   

Please forgive me if this post sounds a little strange. I am operating under a vicoden and sleep deprived cloud.

[G-Ma]

 

[monrein]

Hang in there Paddbear.  You've had a lot done with both things together.  I'm so sad you're having this hard time.  The numbness and tingling should settle down but if you can't feel the thrill you need to let the doctor know asap.   

[Chris]

AAAAAANd that's why we are in chat.
To early to write more since we are still chatting on what happened.

You'll get through  this. Vanity sometimes has to take a detour for better health.

[paddshubby]

crap.

[kitkatz]

I hope you feel better soon. I know it hurts right now.  Elevate you arm, that will help. Put it on a pillow.

[pelagia]

I don't know anything to say to help, so please accept this heartfelt 

[willieandwinnie]

paddbear, I'm sorry I am just now seeing this. Len had the 2 surgeries the at the same time also. Once they got in there to make the fistula they discovered his veins sucked and they ended up putting graft in his upper left arm. He was told to keep it as evaluated as possible, not to pick up anything and to start out with cold compresses and then go to heat. I think you should call your doctor and tell him you need to see him. I hope things start getting better. 

[Romona]

 

[Tinah1968]

Sorry your not feeling well

[kellyt]

AAAAAANd that's why we are in chat.
To early to write more since we are still chatting on what happened.

You'll get through  this. Vanity sometimes has to take a detour for better health.

You got that right.  <<sigh>>

Hang in there, Padd.

[2_DallasCowboys]

Sorry to see you are having a hard time, P.Bear

Please call the Dr and let him/her know rite away

Sending  to wish you well

Anne

[jessup]

Geez mate
Sorry to hear you are suffering
Lots of love coming your way
 

[Bajanne]

I too had a graft and had severe numbness just after the operation.  However, it went away.  Just follow all the advice that has been given to you by the other reponses.   things will get better.   Also we really understand what you are going through (cloud and all!).  Just continue to keep us updated.   You will make it through!!!  We are with you all the way.

[okarol]

Hope you feel better today.

Here's a couple links http://www.aakp.org/aakp-library/Access-Arm/ and http://www.homedialysis.org/resources/tom/200603/

 

[paddbear0000]

Hmmm...I was never told to put heat or cold on it. Of course, no one went over anything with me after the surgery! The surgeon talked to my husband, but I was still out cold, and he never really told me what he said. I did get a piece of paper, but the info on it is kind of lacking. Thank goodness I have IHD for info! I do know I'm supposed to elevate my arm, but that causes major problems. My hand gets so tingly it's excruciatingly painful, and it gets really cold. Because of my diabetes, I'm afraid I'll lose some fingers!

After much insistence from Chris and Wenchie in chat last night (or rather this morning), I did end up calling the doctor. He said he wanted to see me as soon as I could get to the office (he has hours from 8-noon on Saturdays). It wouldn't have sucked so bad if he wasn't an hour away! Anyway, we got there at 8:30, only for him to tell me that it's normal for diabetics because we usually have nerve damage in the extremities, like the fingers. The tingling and cold was because of lack of blood flow. No kidding?!    He could have told me this over the phone!! With his stethascope, he could hear the blood flow just fine. He said I couldn't feel it because I am so swollen. Oh yeah, the swelling...My arm (from mid-upper arm all the way to my hand) is almost twice the size. The doctor had covered my sutures with pieces of gauze covered with that clear sheet of sticky stuff they use to hold iv's in place, in order to keep it waterproof. Well, my swelling is so bad, the nurse ended up redoing it because the tape was pulling so much, almost to the breaking point. My arm was practically being strangled and it hurt like hell! She also redid the bandaging on my chest cath where it goes in near my neck. The tape was so tight from swelling there too, that I could barely turn my neck. And that hurt too.

So, my bandaging is now a little more comfortable and I have my vicoden prescription as well! The nice thing about the graft is that I won't have to have this catheter for very long, which is great! The stitches holding it itch like crazy!!!

[paddbear0000]

Here's a picture of the swelling of my arm! I tried modifying my last message and attaching the photo to it, but for some reason, it wouldn't do anything.

[monrein]

No wonder it was painful with all that swelling.  So glad to hear that the bruit is there though.   

[paddbear0000]

Yeah, I'm so paranoid about something happening to my graft, that I am constantly listening to it with the stethoscope! I can't wait until I can actually feel it!

[pelagia]

Try to get some rest PB and maybe give the arm a rest, too (no typing?!). 

[cris]

Nanay is on graft too and had the same swelling, looked like her arm was going to burst anytime. Move your fingers, use an exerciser ball, whcih can help circulation. When you sleep, put your arm up your pillow head, if this hurts, prop it on top of 2 pillows by your side. It should be gone in about two weeks. We used warm compress.  hope you feel better.
love,
cris

[paul.karen]

hope your feeling better soon Padd. :-(
You been through alot in a short time.

[Chris]

Glad you went to the doc to have the bandages changed. Hope you feel better soon.

[kitkatz]

I hate when they do access stuff.  It hurts more than anything for about three or four days, then one day yu wake up and swelling and pain is gone. Elevate, elevate. elevate that arm!   I even took a pillow out to eat with me for a week to keep the arm elevated and comfy.  It will help with the swelling.

[paddbear0000]

Today I noticed a red area about an inch from one of my stitches that is very hard. It wasn'tthere yesterday (at least when I was at the surgeon's). Does anyone know what this might be? My arm is also rather warm, but I don't have a temperature at all. In fact, my temp is 97.7 (but then again, that's my normal body temp for the last few years). The area with the graft also hurts like a son of a b**** when I cough!! Yikes!