question on chest catheter

[babycake]

i dont have one yet
but i have had the
same fistula in my arm
for 10yrs
i havent had really much
of a problem  except
 when
my arm literly exploded
but they were able to save it
the fistula doc which is  my new doc
wants to put a graph and  get rid
of the anirisum (mispelled it)
( im sure you know what i mean)
and put in a chest caft
but i dont want that
so how do i avoid
it all together






Edited: correct spelling error in title- kitkatz,Admin

[kristina]

Hello babycake,
... In December 2014 I had my Tunneled Chest Catheter "implanted"...
and I was told beforehand, that according to research it is one of the most patient-friendly and medically secure method right now ...
One of the most important points for me was - from the very start - that "my" Tunneled Chest Catheter would not create any pain for me whatsoever ...
and so far I have not experienced any pains or problems during dialysis or "in between dialysis days"... (fingers crossed that it continues like that !)
I was also very lucky that the nephrologist-surgeon who "implanted" my Tunneled Chest Catheter has a very good reputation
and is known to be one of the very best surgeon in the country in this particular field of surgery...
... The only negative point I have noticed about my Tunneled Chest Catheter is that it makes it a bit tricky for me to take my daily shower
and especially washing under my arms and neck etc. whilst taking my shower is particularly tricky and necessitates careful maneuvering  ...
... Fortunately my Tunneled Chest Catheter has given me no problems (touch wood it continues like that !)
and I am pleasantly surprised about the gentleness of it...

Good luck and best wishes from Kristina.

[Riki]

I wasn't allowed to shower when I had my line.  I had it for a year and a half, and had to do sponge baths and my mother would wash my hair in the sink for me

[babycake]

that doesnt make sense
for they only use it for 6months
so why such a long time

[komomai]

Aloha, I'm now at almost a year with my 2nd tunnel catheter in my left leg.  My first one was in my right chest before being removed for an infection.  The only difference was on my leg catheter I don't get it wet, I use a product called shower shields.  On my chest catheter my Doctor here in Okinawa, Japan said it was all right to get it wet which most likely caused my infection.  As I mentioned I don't get it wet anymore, I do home hemodialysis 6 times a week at 3-4 hours and I clean and apply the medical crème and cover my catheter by myself.  Yes, my doctor mentioned that I need to have a fistula put in case my tunnel bites the dust it would be on my upper left arm, I am planning for the surgery this summer.  Good luck and hope all works out well for you.

[Simon Dog]

I wasn't allowed to shower when I had my line.  I had it for a year and a half, and had to do sponge baths and my mother would wash my hair in the sink for me

They told me the same thing, but www.korshield.com came to the rescue.

[kristina]

Thank you Simon for this valuable information.
I have watched the video "showering with a korshield-protector" and have been wondering:
...As a dialysis-newbie I was told to keep my access dry at all times and as a result of this information,
I would not have the nerve to try out the "korshield-protector" right now because of the rubber involved.
Does ordinary rubber not sooner or later become loose and "wear out" and could that not create a risk ?
Thanks from Kristina.

[babycake]

Aloha, I'm now at almost a year with my 2nd tunnel catheter in my left leg.  My first one was in my right chest before being removed for an infection.  The only difference was on my leg catheter I don't get it wet, I use a product called shower shields.  On my chest catheter my Doctor here in Okinawa, Japan said it was all right to get it wet which most likely caused my infection.  As I mentioned I don't get it wet anymore, I do home hemodialysis 6 times a week at 3-4 hours and I clean and apply the medical crème and cover my catheter by myself.  Yes, my doctor mentioned that I need to have a fistula put in case my tunnel bites the dust it would be on my upper left arm, I am planning for the surgery this summer.  Good luck and hope all works out well for you.

NO its not alright
to get it wet
he should know better
to say it was ok
i can say he was a idiot
to tell u that
foreign doc usually
are mainly pretty awesome
especially  here in oregon
for there is one doc who a heart
specialist that was awarded as being
the best surgon  in oregon
but i can say that doc from
japan didnt know squat

[kristina]

Aloha, I'm now at almost a year with my 2nd tunnel catheter in my left leg.  My first one was in my right chest before being removed for an infection.  The only difference was on my leg catheter I don't get it wet, I use a product called shower shields.  On my chest catheter my Doctor here in Okinawa, Japan said it was all right to get it wet which most likely caused my infection.  As I mentioned I don't get it wet anymore, I do home hemodialysis 6 times a week at 3-4 hours and I clean and apply the medical crème and cover my catheter by myself.  Yes, my doctor mentioned that I need to have a fistula put in case my tunnel bites the dust it would be on my upper left arm, I am planning for the surgery this summer.  Good luck and hope all works out well for you.

Hello komomai,
I have been wondering why your doctor suggested it was all right to get your chest catheter wet?
What was his medical reasoning? It does not make any sense to me because dialysis is known
to be our only life-support which has to be protected at all times...
Kristina.

[Simon Dog]

Thank you Simon for this valuable information.
I have watched the video "showering with a korshield-protector" and have been wondering:
...As a dialysis-newbie I was told to keep my access dry at all times and as a result of this information,
I would not have the nerve to try out the "korshield-protector" right now because of the rubber involved.
Does ordinary rubber not sooner or later become loose and "wear out" and could that not create a risk ?
Thanks from Kristina.

If the rubber starts to wear out, you will notice it.   I had the rubber start to separate from the fabric - called Korshield and they sent a replacement out the same day.  You still have to be careful with the Korshield, but I was able to shower immediately before treatment and show up with dry bandages.