How much does it hurt?

[kimcanada]

I will be getting my first needle next Tuesday or Thursday, so I would like to know what people that have already had needles think about this.

Thanks for Sharing 

kimcanada

[BigSky]

It really depends on the person and how they feel pain in general IMO.

I have no pain for the most part and do not use any numbing agents.  However I have seen some people who couldn't get enough numbing agents before being stuck.

[Adam_W]

I guess I would say not at all, considering I still use a permacath (which is now twisted upside down thanks to my bloodline being pulled-and that hurts plenty), and I don't have a fistula yet. Take care.

Adam

[Jill D.]

It depends...if you have someone good, and really takes their time looking and feeling your fistula so they can get the needle in without hitting the side of the vein, it's not bad at all. If they do hit the wall of the vein, or infiltrate, or hit a nerve, it can really suck.

[Sluff]

I will be getting my first needle next Tuesday or Thursday, so I would like to know what people that have already had needles think about this.

Thanks for Sharing 

kimcanada

I wish all the luck in the world for a pain free first time needle.   

[goofynina]

When i was in Hemo, i always used Lidocain (which hurt like hell) sorry, just being honest,  they say it hurts more than the actual needles without lidocain but i was always too afraid to try it    (what a big baby huh)   But i have had other people tell me that it doesnt hurt as much as the Lidocain as well, but still, no dice, BRING ME MY LIDOCAIN    Good luck to you... 

[angela515]

For me it did hurt at first, then it became just routine, not painful but like a pinch.

[Bajanne]

I used to take Lidocaine, but I found it stung, so I tried to have the needles without Lidocaine, and this has been quite a while.  The needles still hurt, but so did the Lidocaine.
What I liked the lidocaine for was those nurses that take a long time and don't seem to be quite sure what they are doing.  However, for the most part, my nurses are quite professional.  There is one of them (whom I don't get very often) who is a real expert.  When I am steeling myself against the pain, the needle is already in, with the minimum of pain.   
I wish you someone like this to put in your needles.

My nurses thad old me that the Lidocaine hardens the skin, and it did.

[BigSky]

My nurses thad old me that the Lidocaine hardens the skin, and it did.

I have been told it can also have negative effects on the fistula over time.

[jbeany]

To me, it's the same poke that comes with a nurse drawing blood for lab work in a regular vein.  I've never used the lido.  I've had the nurse hit a nerve before, and that does hurt like crazy - like your arm is on fire - but then the lido wouldn't do much for that anyhow.  Thankfully, that's a very rare occurrence for me - only once since I started in Dec.  Try the first time without lido.  If it's horrible for you, you can always ask for the lido the next time - or stop them in the middle and demand some right then!

[kitkatz]

I never used the lidocaine. I am a little needle coward. The big needles do not bother me too much as long as I do not put much thought into them.

[kimcanada]

Well since you mentioned LIDOCAIN , I am sure my nurse yesterday told me that if I wanted to use this I would have to buy it myself, Oh the joys of Canadian health care

[bolta72]

I guess it depends on who is sticking you and how deep or shallow your veins are, for me I sometimes just feel a pinch and other times a triple pinch. After 4 month I seem to be getting used to it although I could do without.

[AlasdairUK]

It will hurt more in the beginning, but the pain will go away as the skin becomes numb from the scaring. Start off with small needles and work your way up as the fistula matures.

The first time I needled I used lidocaine and then I stopped.

[charee]

Well since you mentioned LIDOCAIN , I am sure my nurse yesterday told me that if I wanted to use this I would have to buy it myself, Oh the joys of Canadian health care

I start on the 16th April and have also been told that they prefer not to use local its alright for them its not their arm !

Are you going to do buttonhole ?

[kimcanada]

I don't think so, they never mentioned it I guess I could read up on it and ask.

[Jill D.]

I never used the lidocaine. I am a little needle coward. The big needles do not bother me too much as long as I do not put much thought into them.

I agree, Kit. I have had several occasions when I have been poked with little needles for local anesthetic (mole removals, biopsies) and they HURT LIKE HELL!!!! The big needles in dialysis don't hurt nearly as much to me.

[AlasdairUK]

My nurses That old me that the Lidocaine hardens the skin, and it did.

I have been told it can also have negative effects on the fistula over time.

I was told that Lidocaine increases the scaring. It might just be that you are doubling up the needle marks.

[luckaholic]

The needles themselves dont hurt, its the local anaesthetic that hurts. It really depends on your pain threshold. I have a medium-high tolerance. The local does hurt, but there are worse things that exist! It only hurts while its being pushed in which is only a few seconds. When you are using sharp needles you may feel a little bit sore after the local wears off, but its nothing major. I will recommend to you now that if you get the chance, do buttonholes as soon as you can.

[RichardMEL]

In my experience...

I had a local the first time, but not after that - they also told me they prefer to not use local because it's bad for the skin/fistula.

At first the needles hurt, but yes.. your fistula does get stronger and more used to it.. I've just had my 8 month anniversary and I'd say maybe 40% of all needle insertions now don't hurt at all, and the others only sting a little.

Also note taking the needles OUT can hurt a little too.

I guess it is up to everyone... I saw a young lady cry quite a few times when needled (and I believe she had local too) but she got used to it I think too.. I've also seen other young ladies laugh and watch and say "oooh look at that!" with glee... soooo.. who knows (I look away and try to think un sexy thoughts ).

I know it is scary to contemplate... I guess just know you prob. will get used to it - specially after the first time when you know what to expect and how it will be - and try and distract yourself when they do it.. oh and above all try not to MOVE your arm

I hope it goes ok for all of you about to start!!

[TxGuyTx]

My advice to you is try it with and without lidocane. I myself never used lidocane the way I see it is why get stuck 4 time instead of just twice. Dont be afraid to ask the lead tech who there best sticker is. Most clinics have some body that is really good and has the paitence for sticking. In the end its all up to you and waht makes you feel more comfratable.

Good Luck,
TxGuyTx

[Stacy Without An E]

They stifted me to the other side of the clinic where this numbskull forces the needles in, especially on the arterial side.  So either the needle tip is poking into a nerve on the side or the pressure is so high because of an incorrect needle stick, that it burns the entire time.  Every time I try to suggest that he's doing it wrong I get a lecture how he's been adminstering needles to people around the world.

On top of this, he blast this crappy music on the radio.  When I try to explain that I have panic attacks with continual loud noises, he just laughs.  Isn't the clinic for the health and comfort of the PATIENTS??

But I digress...I'm going to Six Flags this Saturday, so maybe the amount of fun will balance out the pain of treatment.

[kimcanada]

Well I can finally vote in my own pole and I would say... somewhat,  I have had 5 needles so far and only one meltdown when on my 3rd needle the nurse told me to "suck it up" to my comment that I was nervous, I am sure that she will never tell someone to "suck it up " again 

I don't mind the needles that are higher (can't remember what they are called yet) on the arm, the ones near my wrist burn , I am hoping that I get used to that soon.

Thanks to all that took part in my question , you all in your own way made my first needles not seem so scary

Kim

[kitkatz]

Someone tells me to suck it up, look out. I am going to come absolutely unglued all over them!

[pierrat]

Congratulations Kim, seems like your handling it well. I think thats the most important way of getting use to it, is to just accept it and not think the worst of it. Because if you think that it will be that, kind of like a self fulfilling prophesy. For me, I just dont look at when they stick me, I just turn my head and look the other way. And of course some techs/nurses are far better than others.
Try to get an experienced person to stick you, right now since your new they probably have a very experienced person doing it since your access is so new and they dont want it damaged. But as time goes anybody can stick you and some are terrible, dont be afraid to ask for someone else.