Infiltrations

[pklipe57]

I have been on in center hemo dialysis for two years and three months.  I was infiltrated for the first time last week.  Just wondering how many times others have been infiltrated and the length they have been on dialysis.

Thanks.

Pam...

[Pam]

I have been in center hemo for2 yrs 2 mos, and have never been infiltrated. I have the same 2 techs all of the time and they are the best!

Pam

[Riki]

My fistula has been in use for just a little over a year.  I've lost count how many times I've been infiltrated. It actually happened the first time they tried it.  I've learned what it feels like, so when they try to flush, and I feel that it's not right, I'll tell them, and they'll take it right out before it swells.  I'm lucky enough to have 3 sites, so if they infiltrate in one, there's still 2 left to try.

[rsudock]

I was on for 11 months and had 2 smaller infiltrations...

[Lindia]

My hubbys been infiltrated three times by the techs, and one tiime by himself, when he went to sleep and jerked his arm.   He's only been on dialysis TWO MONTHS!   Its so maddening.   We're going to do nx stage at home, and they gave us the training tape on cannulation.  Part of the problem is now clear - on the training tape, they say to do "chevron" style taping to help hold the needle in place -- they have never done that        After I threatened to change centers if there were anymore infiltrations ( and my poor hubbys arm looks terrible)  they gave us a tech that is careful and she even tapes correctly !!   It seems  pretty strange that we watch the tape, and the next time he does dialysis - he is finally taped correctly...

[tyefly]

I saw that in center too.....  bad tape jobs.... only one piece of tape to hold the needle in....  I was infiltrated too incenter.... now that I have been doing nxstage and cannulating myself I have never infiltrated myself...

[Riki]

One piece of tape will not hold my needles in place.  My fistula has so much pressure behind it, it will push the needle right out if it's not secured with at least 4 pieces of tape.  We learned this the hard way.

Speaking of infiltrations, I was infiltrated today. I think it was caused by a combination of the strength of my fistula and the needle not being far enough into the vessel.  The needle moved just a little bit, then the burning began.  I have a nice, golf ball sized lump on my upper arm, which I'm guessing will be either a deep purple or black by morning

[pagandialysis]

I started dialysis on the 17th of May this year. I have had three to date. -.-
Heres hoping that now that the excess vein has been tied off all will be fine in a month or so when its ready to use.

[woodsman]

2 for me as of today

[Bruno]

I've had 2 but only at the beginning when we were starting the buttonholes. The venal access was the problem on both occasions but then it is deeper down than the arterial. I can't blame the nurse, she's a sweetie with 30 years experience. That was 10 months ago and since the buttonholes are established and I've been doing the needle work myself I've never had a problem.

[pagandialysis]

Speaking of which.....

[Riki]

I posted pictures of mine on my blog

This is the day of..  http://rikionpd.tumblr.com/post/7515042981

And this is 2 days later.. http://rikionpd.tumblr.com/post/7595639411

[lmunchkin]

I can't recall the number of times J was infiltrated in center!  But it was because his fistula was new!  I have inflitrated him once when starting NxStage! Been a year now and no problems, thank God!

lmunchkin     

P.S. Woe Riki & Pgndialysis, those are pretty wild pix's.     

[brandi1leigh]

I have been on in center for over a year. I get infilitrated once or twice every three months or so. I have always been a notoriously hard stick and even with a fistula this remains true.  I have only been infilitrated once by someone who I though was incompetent. He wouldn't listen to me.  I quietly told the nurse that I didn't think he should ever stick me again. Since I'm not a big complainer, she said absolutely. My center is very good about listening to me. If I tell them it doesn't feel right, they believe me. I also know about self cannulation and maybe someday I'll get there, but I can't seem to get past a mental block in sticking myself.

[Riki]

I can't look when they're putting the needles in, so I don't see myself ever putting my own needles in.  My mother refuses to do it, and really, I don't blame her.  I don't think I'd be able to stick my own child with monster needles either.. *L*

[tbarrett2533]

I got my first infiltration about a month in and have had about 4 since then (started using my fistula in December 2010)
The staff at my unit claims it was b/c  I have a "virgin" access..... I think its them just rushing to put me on..... Don't want another infiltration, go to PD (one of the reasons I am switching)

[Riki]

I can't go to PD, and that's because of a negligent staff member.. anyway.. I agree that if they are rushing to get you on, they're not going to take the care that's needed to not infiltrate the fistula.  However, tbarrett2533, it's only been 7 months.  New fistulas infiltrate easily.  Mine infiltrated the first time they tried it.  After a year and a half, mine still infiltrates from time to time.  There's no real way around it, unless you want to needle yourself