Fistula questions? Ouch!

[Chrissygled]

Hello, I just got a fistula put in two days ago, I also had a perma cath in my chest. It hurts! I have a pretty high pain tolerance, but this is pretty bad! Also much of my forearm is numb. Is this normal? Has anyone had this experience? I am so worried over this. I think that is permacath is being pulled out  every time I move by the weight of my breast. As you can see I am quite a wreck. Any thoughts or experiences would be so appreciated, bless you all,
Christina

[MooseMom]

I can't speak to the permacath, but the numbness in your lower arm is completely normal.  It will probably be several weeks before your foream begins feeling normal again.

[Riverwhispering]

Chrissy did you know when they do the fistula they don't put anything in there?  They just rewire you 

[lmunchkin]

The numbness is normal, but ask to keep perm cath in until they get the fistula up an running properly.

God Bless,
lmunchkin

[Chrissygled]

Chrissy did you know when they do the fistula they don't put anything in there?  They just rewire you 

Oh, boy do I feel stupid. Well,  good to know... This is all just too odd! 
Thanks for letting me know, I thought a fistula was a "thing". Lol

[Restorer]

The fistula itself is technically just the new connection between the vein and artery, the spot where they tied the two vessels together in your arm. Everyone will call the enlarged vein your "fistula" or your access, but it's technically just the connection.

It's been 13 weeks since I had my fistula created in my upper arm, and I still have numb areas on my forearm, though they're smaller than they were initially. Sometimes those areas tingle when I press on my fistula or when the needles are in and my arm's at a certain angle.

Can you have them tape your catheter down securely, on more stable skin? I don't have breasts (or much fat anywhere) so I've never had that problem. In several days it will stop hurting and it will (hopefully) feel more secure as it heals. If it still feels problematic in a few weeks, bring it up with your nephrologist or vascular surgeon.

[Riverwhispering]

Chrissy this was too funny.   After my fistula cut and stuff was all healed I was at a BBQ with a bunch of people and I was having a bit of fun by having people feel the thrill.  This one lady screamed and jumped back, I was laughing so hard because she thought there was something inside my arm like a bee.   It can be a fun thing if you let it.

[Sue]

I had my fistula op yesterday, saw the Dr this morning before leaving the hospital . he told me that the numbness and tingling could last up to 3 months. I just have it in the base of my thumb ( fistula in forearm)  I'm not having much pain - dull ache really.

I just freaked my son out by letting him feel the 'thrill'  was so funny

[Grumpy-1]

I had my first fistula put in my upper left arm about 1 1/2 years ago.  Only used it twice before moving to PD.  It did make a nice spot for the PD clinic to draw blood for labs.  It clotted up after a year DARN.  A couple of months ago, I had the second fistula put in the same general area.  However, after they got in to the arm, they found there wasn't enough vein or artery to make a good connection.  So I have a second scar but no working fistula.  Also the second time, they hit a nerve went putting the numbing stuff in so my left forarm is numb.  They said it could last 3 months but it is now going on 4.  It seems to be getting better, so I'll continue to wait and see.   Grumpy