Fistula Ready!

[Rodneyss1]

Got the good news earlier this week that my fistula is ready for usage.  So far so good....they started sticking me on Tuesday.  They are starting slow, running me slow on a smaller needle.  Still using one-half of the catheter (fistula protocol).  Next week its on to double sticks and then they move on to larger gauge needles.  I don't feel as though I am getting as clean as before. Is this a temporay thing until I get to the bigger needles?  I am hoping that this catheter will be out sometime in March!

[chiefsfan301]

Got my upper arm fistula in August and started both needles the first of October, moved up to larger needles in November.

[Stoday]

You're a fistula virgin and they're treating you as such. 

Quite apart from the narrow gauge needles they'll keep your flow rate down too because your fistula is so soft. Expect to get infiltrated in the next couple of weeks too.

Don't get too downhearted. There's light at the end of the tunnel.

[Rodneyss1]

Thanks for the advice, Stoday!  I hope I don't get infiltrated, but I know its a possibility.  The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter!

[kitkatz]

Been doing button holes now since November with the new fistula.  Hoo boy. Last Friday, someone tried to stick me that had only stuck me once.  I was hollering at him because it hurt.  Told him if he infiltrated me, we would be having a BAD night.  He got the nurse who started my buttonholes to come and take over.  The nurse got it right away. My arm hurt all night and the next day.