Arrgghhh!!! I may need a fistulagram

[paddbear0000]

  Well, it's been a nice run of a whopping 3 months with my graft...I've been having a problem for the last week with leaking at my needle sites, my sites spurting blood out from under the pressure of my fingers when holding and then yesterday, my venous pressure was extremely high. My nurse was concerned my graft is narrowing somewhere, so he had me do a transonic. The results were good; in fact better than last month, but he still isn't convinced. He called the nephrologist and the doctor said he will check it next week when he does rounds. So now it's just a wait and see game as to whether I'll be getting a fistulagram. I still have yet to figure out how it is done, but from the sounds of it here, it's not fun!

to top it all off, my psychiatrist switched my anti-depressent a month ago, and after increasing the dose several weeks ago, I feel more depressed than ever! I normally love this time of year because I can get outside and garden, refinish furniture and do home improvements, but I just have no desire to get off the couch. I'm even having trouble finding the desire to get on IHD or keep in contact with friends. I don't want to stop the meds until I can see the doctor, but I can't get in for 2 weeks!!   

[monrein]

    sending you some hugs and hopes that things get back to more normal ASAP.   

[kitkatz]

Sometimes it is an adjustment to the new meds.  Try keeping track of how you feel with them onboard each day. Then you will have a written record to take to the doctor.

I hope things get better soon. 

[Ang]

make  sure  you  ask  for  pain  relief  when  you  do  the  fistulagram

[paris]

I'm sorry you are dealing with this   

[cherpep]

We're here for you, please keep checking in.  I hope everything turns out OK.  It's so frustrating hitting all the bumps in the road, but try to focus on the bigger road - not the bumps.  Hang in there.

[jbeany]

The fistulagrams aren't too bad - a boring pain in the arm, mostly!  I'm one of the "lucky" ones who has constant narrowing problems.  The longest I've ever gone between fistulagrams was 5-1/2 months.  Generally, I need one every 2-3 months. 

Hope they get the meds worked out for you soon.  Sit outside and soak up some sun if you don't have the energy to garden - at least you will be getting the fresh air.

[Tinah1968]

i had one done 3 weeks ago. It was not to bad, but G-ma or Grammylady told me to insist on anesthesia and i did. I did it on a Friday and was better on Sunday. Hope it is that way for you. i'll be praying for you.

[Chris]

Did the doc say why they increased the dose? If no reason was given, I would ask for an explanation and tell them how you are feeling. Hopefully you won't need another fistula or a graft. After 3 months, that's when I started having trouble with mine too.