Bad Fistula what next?

[Duane]

My prayers to God goes out to all concerning fistula problems.
June 06 my fistula was installed (the latest design) so they said. I believe it now, thank God.

Surgery was on my right wrist about 1 1/2 in. long. Doctor gave me some pain pills to take along with instructions for care which i followed to the letter. Exercise the arm daily. No pain after the first day though.

By November 06 I was ready for dialysis. by february 07 had my fistula tested for the "thrill" and it was gone on the upper part of my vein. Had to have a balloon done on the artery. Working fine now.

My biggest concern now is my tech. she rushes and i always have to slow her down before sticking me. last to treatments i've blead from the stick point.

i'm concerned that she is not fully there as she needs to be for me and the protection of my fistula.

Donnia that picture of your arm scares me, it  doesn't look right. My prayers go out for you.

To sum it all up, my fistula is working just fine.

[boxman55]

well here it is time to finally get stuck. The first 17ga needle will be inbedded on Friday the 6th I am very nervous but at the same time I want to get rid of my cath so bad. They asked if I wanted a scrip for numb spray anybody use that?? Boxman

[kimcanada]

Boxman, I use emla cream, and I decided at first to not use it and "just get used to the big needle" well that was a mistake, get the spray, or the cream, it numbs the skin and makes it all get easily,  you will be fine, just make sure you are numb   

Kim

[boxman55]

Thanks Kim will it work on my brain too?? Boxman

[keefer51]

Boxman i had two fistulas that didn't mature. They were on my right arm. I now have a working fistula on my left arm. The first needle hurt. So i now use the cream. I found the best way to use it is put allot of cream all over the fistula at least an hour or more before dialysis. After the cream is on wrap it with saran wrap. Once you get there and before you get in your chair wash your arm and dry it. You will feel the numbness in your arm. The cream helps with the needle stick. Once the needle is inside you may have a burning sensation but it goes away. I wish you luck my friend.

[kimcanada]

Nope it doesn't work on your brain, it took me about 3 weeks of making my blood pressure go sky high before I relaxed enough not to near pass out, deep breaths, my friend and you will get through it , that I promise!!!  That and the cream 

Kim

[Bajanne]

I never used the Emla cream although they gave it to me at the centre.  I kept forgetting to do it the hour before as I should have done.  I started with getting Lidocaine.  However, there are two disadvantages - when the lidocaine is going in, you do get a sting.  then, use of lidocaine toughens your skin.
After a while, I decided to just take the needle and after the first discomfort, all goes quite well.

[boxman55]

Friday 5:30pm the big stick first time getting cannulated (is that a word?) Wish me luck I will be spraying the ethyl chloride. The big brave guy  that I am.   Boxman PS all the techs are like vampires it's like when they talk to you they don't look you in the eye they stare at your access chomping at the bit to be first i think I am going to charge them

[keefer51]

Goodluck boxman. I'll be thinking of ya.

[okarol]

Friday 5:30pm the big stick first time getting cannulated (is that a word?) Wish me luck I will be spraying the ethyl chloride. The big brave guy  that I am.   Boxman PS all the techs are like vampires it's like when they talk to you they don't look you in the eye they stare at your access chomping at the bit to be first i think I am going to charge them

Good luck Boxman - hope all goes well!
 

[boxman55]

well the anticipation of it was harder to deal with then the poke. The spray made it go pretty easy The hard part was keeping the arm in one place for 3-1/2 hours then holding it for another 15 min after your run is over. its a little sore right now but life goes on. Thanks guys for your thoughts it means a lot...Boxman

[kimcanada]

Yippy first one is over!!

My first place that I was at tied my hand to the chair, I didn't mind it but where I am now doesn't , you just get used to it, BTW why are you just 3.5 hours?  I myself is 4.5?

Kim

[boxman55]

Hi Kim, tying it down might be a good idea. All I thought about for the entire run is "don't move" It is sore this morning and it is more to deal with then the cath but the cath has it's draw backs too. I can leave quicker with the cath but dealing with it for every day showers and no swimming and on and on is a pain. I guess both ways suck, hows that
I can not answer your question about run time. When I started dialysis on Aug 14th '06 that was the time set and it always has been. I will ask my neph next time he comes around to collect his fee.   have a great weekend...  Boxman

[thegrammalady]

My first place that I was at tied my hand to the chair, ...

[boxman55]

Well last night was the first time they stuck me with both 17ga. needles. I guess I was infiltrated on the top or venus because my arm started to hurt like hell. They stopped flow in that one and switched back to the cath. It is now Saturday and my arm is pretty sore and black and blue. I guess ice will be my friend today. I am not liking this...Boxman

[kimcanada]

It does seem like alot of work for nothing doesn't it, just remember that its a better dialysis in the arm and they will get much better clearances, thus you will feel better... blah blah blah yadda yadda yadda

Here is what my arm is looking like right now, its very badly bruised but I still think the fistula is a better dialysis, maybe they brainwash us   




EDITED: Resized pictures - Sluff/ Admin

[del]

Hubby's fistula infiltrated a couple of times first when they started using it.  Seemed like it toughened it up..  Has had the same fistula for 7 years now.I have been needling him for a little over a year now and not one infiltration!!

[kimcanada]

When it first happened, I didn't think it would bruise, the nurse said yep it will, anyhow it looks way more painful then it is, I will tell you that every time she misses my veins or this happens I wish I had enough guts to needle myself.

[del]

Are they going to start buttonholes??  That would make it easier for you to needle yourself.  Hubby can needle himself but lets me do it.

[kimcanada]

No button holes in the works yet, I asked when I was first transfered to Antigonish, and their jaws dropped just because I knew what a buttonhole was, its a brand new unit, and I think that in time we will do that.

[boxman55]

hey Kim, I guess the black and blue is normal. I had the nurse tell me she has seen worse when I showed her my arm. I also had a tech tell me that my fistula was one of the nicest she's ever seen. I looked at her softly and said "your the first person that's ever said that to me" laughs all around . My run Monday was uneventfull so I am feeling a little better about the needles even though the arm is still sore. Like you said better clearence oh boy!...Boxman55

[kimcanada]

Well you have to have something thats the nicest 

I can tell you boxman that it does get easier, I thought there was no way that it would get better, but low and behold it did!

Kim

[boxman55]

just a follow up it has been 3 weeks now using the needles we have moved to the 16ga I had one additional infiltrate but otherwise just business as usual....Boxman

[Black]

Glad it has been going better.  Are you using buttonholes?

[Sluff]

Good 4 u Box. Glad things are improving!