Just had fistula and permacath put in today!

[Chrissygled]

Hello, I just had a fistula and perma cath put in today. I have heard of the thrill people feel. I don't feel it!  Is this something you should feel right away? Also all there is  on my arm, around the elbow, is a little scar.. Well, not little, lol . How does this work as  an access? I will call my Dr. tomorrow, but in the meantime, I cannot sleep at all, so I thought I would look on here!
Thank you all
Chrissy

[Riverwhispering]

Chrissy it isn't covered with a bandage?  The fistula isn't where the cut is it's near it.    My first fistula I didn't feel the thrill and eventually went to the dialysis center and asked a nurse to see if she could feel it.  She listened with the stethoscope and told me it was "dead" so about a month after the first try the surgeon made a new one and it works great.  I wouldn't know if you can feel it right away because mine was covered with a bandage but once the bandage came off I could feel it on the second one.   

[MooseMom]

If the fistula is successful, the thrill will become more pronounced as time goes on.  I assume you will be seeing the vascular surgeon for a check up in a week or ten days?  At that time, the VS should be able to tell you if the thing is OK.

As RW said, the scar is not where the access will be.

[Chrissygled]

Oh thank you for the answers! I can feel the thrill now, just was in the wrong place! Lol it is not covered with a bandage as it has some ?.. Not sure of the name, perma bond? It's like crazy glue. The one is my chest has a bandage though. I went to my surgeon today because I was scared it was bleeding and looked horrid!they cleaned it up and sent me home feeling so much better. This group is just so helpful! Thank you
Chrissy

[lmunchkin]

Chrissy, don't be surprised if you "may" have to go in a couple times for VS to revise your fistula.  Sometimes there will be "shoot offs" develope that he/she will go in and tie off! Iam convinced, they will give you the best access possible for adequate Dialysis.

God Bless,
lmunchkin