GOT FISTULA TODAY

[BeachLover]

Everything went oK but I have a question. Mine was put into upper left arm. The rest of the arm, from the elbow down is cool to the touch. I called the doc and they said it was alright, bit I am still a bit worried. It must mean the circulation isn't very good? I am not swelling but the right arm is quite a bit warmer than the left. Has anyone had this happen and does it get better? My left hand is cool too.
I hope dialysis is still a long way away. But I am closing in on 4.0 so I guess it's good I am prepared. it's a hard concept for me to get used to. I am frightened.

[marti824]

welcome.  Mine is in my upper left arm as well.  I don't remember any cool sensation in my arm, but I do remember the pain.  I've had a number of surgeries in my life, and never take any of the pain pills prescribed, with the fistula surgery I was popping them two at a time.  but, on the lighter side, the pain goes away. give it a few days.  after that, you won't even realize you have it.  Good luck.

[Pam]

My fistula is in the same place. They told me the coldness was because of decrease in circulation. I wiggled my fingers a lot and it finally went away. sometimes at dialysis my left hand gets very cold but warms back up once I'm done.

Pam

[kellyt]

Once you start using your sqeeze ball that sensation should go away.  My fistula is/was in the same place.  I never had to use it and it stopped working the day after transplant.  Nice big scar for nothing.  ha ha  I had it exactly one year and 5 days.   Good luck!  Use that ball!

[BeachLover]

I have a little pain, but nothing bad. I cab just take an ex strength tylenol and it's gone. I'm pretty good with pain, but dislike the incision. I'll get used to it. I think that the joining of artteries and veins kind of freaks me out. I like things natural.

welcome.  Mine is in my upper left arm as well.  I don't remember any cool sensation in my arm, but I do remember the pain.  I've had a number of surgeries in my life, and never take any of the pain pills prescribed, with the fistula surgery I was popping them two at a time.  but, on the lighter side, the pain goes away. give it a few days.  after that, you won't even realize you have it.  Good luck.
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[breezysummerday]

how's the 'thrill' ?

[monrein]

My left arm has always felt the cold more (in winter) than my right.  I was told that it's because the fistula changes the circulation and so frostbite for example would first hit that arm.  It's not a big issue but I sometimes wear a warmer glove on my left hand.

[marti824]

I never did understand the "thrill"  What's so thrilling about it?

[BeachLover]

I thought I felt the sensation of the thrill. Kind of a rumbling feeling. Right after surgery the nurse listened and said it sounded good.
But mostly it doesn't thrill me much. I wish it had never happened. Oh for the good old days when both kidneys worked so well and I never gave it a second thought.
I guess I just don't have the right attitude

[joyfulmother]

I am sorry you are frightened - I experienced that myself and I am doing home dialysis (no needles involved!).  I am finding that it is the fear of the unknown and is usually not as bad as I am expecting.  I hope it is the same for you.  Praying for you - hope you're not in pain.

[YLGuy]

Mine is in the same place.  The first did not work.  They have been using it for 2 weeks now.  My left hand gets very cold during dialysis and sometimes numb.  It warms up afterwards.

[BeachLover]

You are all so kind. Thanks for your replys. I have a little pain, especially when I move my arm but it isn't too bad and when I am still, it is fine.
I still feel a little wobbly from the surgery. Have to get up and do more stuff I guess.
It must be wonderful tog get a kidney transplant and have it work well. Congrats to all of you who manage that.

[Stoday]

I got my fistula two weeks ago, in my left wrist.

First thing I noticed was that my left hand was cooler than my right.

Had the stitches removed 2 days ago by the nurse at the GP. She'd never seen a fistula before and when she felt the thrill she said "Have they put a battery in there?" 

[dwcrawford]

Thought I would ask my question here too:  I am supposed to get stuck tomorrow (but probably Monday).  I have this lidocain and prilocaine cream.  I know when and how to wrap it, but I don't know how much and where  to put it.  Do I rub the entire fistala or just the points the the surgeon marked off on my arm where he wanted them to stick me??? 

Do I tell them from the start that I want button hole and that I want to learn to do it myself???

FYI:  The avitar is Meryl Streep as the Rabbi from Angels in American (HBO)

[Jean]

You had me going with your new avatar. Did not recognize Meryl Streep, and I am a fan of hers, but gotta tell you, I am glad you dont look like that!!!

[dwcrawford]

And the new one is Emma Thompsom as the bag lady from the same production. 

Her quote was "In the millennium we shall all be insane."  Since it didn't totally happen by then, I changed it to "soon we shall all be insane".

Nobody knows about the cream?  It's just a few hours away.  Listen carefully around 11 AM CST and you will hear and old dude scream.

[silverhead]

About the L&P cream, I put about a 1/2" ribbon next to the needle sight, then wrap it with stretch wrap (Saran Wrap?) using my finger to move the cream over the "hole", leave it in place for 1 hour plus, most of the time it is effective, but sometimes that sneaky nerve slips in place and she feels the stick.
 I'm pretty sure they will want you to use the ladder technique on the fistula to help build it up from the inside, I would guess for a couple of month's at least, then you can establish the buttonholes.......

[BeachLover]

I took the bandage off the site today and discovered the fistula is right in the crook of my elbow, right inside. Isn't that strange? Doc said he could only fine one good vein but isn't that a strange place to put it in? It's also ugly as sin, looks like one of the scars on frankensteins head!
OK that was funny.
Also bruised around one edge. Looks like I had a reaction to the tape.
Overall appears as though I have been through the wars. Stillcan't get over where it is. Strange and I'm wondering how the needles will lie in there and what it will feel like.

[keefbeer]

I,ve had four Fistulas built in the last 20 months, two never worked from the get-go and the other two never completed 60 cycles between them.
I met with vascular surgeon  last Friday and am now scheduled for another operation next month to form a fistula and then again in six weeks to move it closer to the surface of my arm.
The surgeon asked me what form anesthetic I wanted and I replied a local would be okay as before, he did not see the joke when I explained having watched four previous operations I was close to be able to carry out the next one myself!
Here in the UK the current success rate for fistulas is between 75-80%so good luck with yours and treat it like it is your firstborn.

[monrein]

I took the bandage off the site today and discovered the fistula is right in the crook of my elbow, right inside. Isn't that strange? Doc said he could only fine one good vein but isn't that a strange place to put it in? It's also ugly as sin, looks like one of the scars on frankensteins head!
OK that was funny.
Also bruised around one edge. Looks like I had a reaction to the tape.
Overall appears as though I have been through the wars. Stillcan't get over where it is. Strange and I'm wondering how the needles will lie in there and what it will feel like.

That's where mine is also but it worked really well and it develops up from where the incision is.  I had an incredibly skilled vascular surgeon and even though my fistula was and still is ugly, the main point is that function trumps form in my book.  I'm curious about whether it will eventually clot off now that I'm transplanted...the first time around my lower arm fistula shut up shop a year after my transplant.  This one is still very strong and active.

[dwcrawford]

Sticking question:  I've been stuck twice now one needle each time (one still in cath) but there are four holes.  Did they mess up the first time or am I missing something.  No, I don't watch.

[willowtreewren]

Four holes? Two sticks?

Can't answer that one for you, Dan. 

[dwcrawford]

You think maybe they missed the first time?  I'm going to ask tomorrow.

[Inara]

Maybe two of those sites are from the surgery?  I can't think of any other reason why you would have 2 cannulations, but 4 sites.  It doesn't add up!  Do you feel comfortable asking your staff? 

I'm curious now....please let us know what happened.  And I'm so glad the fistula is working!!   

[dwcrawford]

my fistala bruises where they remove the needle.  Is that OK?  I do take coumadin for blood thinning