Fistula clotted

[kitkatz]

If I think about the large needles, my mind goes nuts, so I just say okay do it to the tech and hold my breath when it goes into my arm.

[Rerun]

My fistula (left arm) and my graft (right arm) have done well for the last 14 months.  But, my clearance is dropping  in my graft and when I have them use my fistula arm there is a chance it will bleed.  Big Bleed where I've had to go to ER and they just stick me in a room and have me hold for 45 minutes.  Well, I can do that at home.

So, with regret already, I made the call to get an ultrasound and an appointment with my Vascular Surgeon.

Uggggh   

[Charlie B53]

So some people do bleed far easier than others.  They leave me sit over 15 minutes as I've spurted if we try to lift off any sooner.  And even then once in a while it gushes again.  I have slipped, failed holding.  I thought I was doing fine but sitting still holding I can sometimes sort of nod off.  You know, how the head starts to fall and you snap back awake.  During that moment my finger might slightly slide down, sometimes too far.

I was playing with one of those holding clamps, wanted to know just how strong the spring is.  Nurse took it from me and reminded me I am still way too new to try that.  She explained my fistula could be damaged by the pressure.

I don't think it is pushing much, if any, harder than I am.  Without some sort of scale how would you know the difference?

[cassandra]

Hi Charlie you really really don't want to put much pressure on your gauze pad. The less pressure you put on it, the quicker it stops bleeding. That's how I know it's not a clamp    And might be why my compromised fistula is still working after 20+ years
 


Love, Cas

[kitkatz]

No clamps!  My surgeon said to baby the fistula as much as possible. 

[kitkatz]

Update:
Gosh darn it! I hate being caught in bureaucracy of medical people.  I was to have had the catheter removed today, but no room on their schedule for me.  I did everything I was supposed to do, made my appointments and did the ultrasound, but no room on their schedule for removing it.  I yelled at the vascular nurse I was so frustrated.  She knew I was coming for a removal and did not leave room in the schedule for me to have it done.  She says she had to see the ultrasound first before scheduling the catheter removal. Utter bullshit, she should have put me on the schedule for a getting it out today.  I am still pissed.  I was so looking forward to a shower on Sunday.  They will have time to remove it 9:15 Monday morning.  Another F***ing appointment to go to.

[cassandra]

O men, sorry Kit. Take it easy, more stress ain't gonna do you no good. Monday afternoon it will have to be.


Keep strong Kit


Love, Cas

[MooseMom]

Oh kk, that's so bloody annoying, and that's putting it politely.  I can't believe they did that to you!

[GA_DAWG]

Sorry for the disappointment Kitkatz. As to the needles, have you tried using the lidocaine cream? It really does work.

[Simon Dog]

Sorry for the disappointment Kitkatz. As to the needles, have you tried using the lidocaine cream? It really does work.

You can also consider EMLA (lidocaine + prilocaine), which research suggests is a bit better than Lidocaine only.   Last I checked it was Rx only in the US.  Put it on a hour before induction of subcutaneous apertures and hold it in place with taped on saran wrap and you will notice a difference.

[Charlie B53]

I have a box of lidocaine patches, 5% for my back when I mess it up which happens far too often.

I cut on lengthwise into thirds so it's a bit over an inch wide and almost 7 inches long.  Fits over my fistula near perfectly.  Well, not at the top where it turns left.  But they don't stick there every day.

Anyway,  These go on like a band-aid.  No mess, no handi-wrap, and nothing to have to wash off!  Just peel it off, wipe with the alcohol pad and stick!

Emla needs to read this post and think about making a strip!  Wouldn't that be nice?