another question about the chest cath

[babycake]

if i already
have issue
with my heart
wouldnt the chest cath
 not be a good idea
to have








EDITED:Moved to general discussion-kitkatz,Admin

[Charlie B53]

The chest cath is incerted into the vein somewhere in the area of the clavicle bone.  Once inside it is extended down in the region of the heart.  At no time it the cath within but a couple of inches of the heart.  Installation is relatively quick and easy, and the patient can have dialysis treatments immediately. 

This has worked well for me as my fistula has been cranky, hasn't wanted to grow up. (Much like me!).

Since the re-work on my fistula yesterday I hope it will finally straighten up and work right.  I expect Dr will want to pull my cath very soon.


The problem with a chest cath is the potential for infection.  IF a contamination were to occur there is a direct path to the heart.  Bacteria within the heart is a very serious concern.  Things could go bad in a hurry.  This is the reason most Dr's give for removing a chest cath as soon as possible.
 

[babycake]

The chest cath is incerted into the vein somewhere in the area of the clavicle bone.  Once inside it is extended down in the region of the heart.  At no time it the cath within but a couple of inches of the heart.  Installation is relatively quick and easy, and the patient can have dialysis treatments immediately. 

This has worked well for me as my fistula has been cranky, hasn't wanted to grow up. (Much like me!).

Since the re-work on my fistula yesterday I hope it will finally straighten up and work right.  I expect Dr will want to pull my cath very soon.


The problem with a chest cath is the potential for infection.  IF a contamination were to occur there is a direct path to the heart.  Bacteria within the heart is a very serious concern.  Things could go bad in a hurry.  This is the reason most Dr's give for removing a chest cath as soon as possible.

i was talking to my dialyis nurse this morning
and she stated it can interfer with my heart
so i called my heart doc
i have a appt with him
on the 23rd of the month
i have been on
antibiotics sense aug
and there trying to limitate
on keeping that on going
but if the chest cath is going to be a problem
then i wont have it done

[Charlie B53]

The end of the cath will be inches away from the heart and should have NO effect.  Your Vascular Surgeon should be able to confirm this when you talk with him and raise your concerns.

NOT to worry so much.  You may be over thinking this.  Just be sure to ask your questions of the Surgeon at your office appt.

[Michael Murphy]

I spent time in the chair next to a tiny women who had to use a cath for over 20 years due to the size of her veins.  She was meticulous in the sanitary care required. She has since gone on to a better place (moved from Ne Jersey to the beach in Delaware).  The big problem with a cath as far as I know is two fold, extreme care to avoid infections and limits on activities, I spend most of my summers in the Adirondacks and on hot days jumping in the cold lake is a true joy.  On a cath I would not be allowed that pleasure.

[MooseMom]

The big problem with a cath as far as I know is two fold, extreme care to avoid infections and limits on activities, I spend most of my summers in the Adirondacks and on hot days jumping in the cold lake is a true joy.  On a cath I would not be allowed that pleasure.

I swim every day in the summer, and we holiday 2 weeks each year on Lake Michigan.  "True joy" sums it up well, and like you, I would find it hard to abstain.  But we all have to decide what we can and cannot live with.

I've always wondered what happens if you have a chest cath and you sweat, like, underneath the bandages.  I mean, you get wet, right?  Sorry if that's a stupid question, but I have always wondered.

[iolaire]

I've always wondered what happens if you have a chest cath and you sweat, like, underneath the bandages.  I mean, you get wet, right?  Sorry if that's a stupid question, but I have always wondered.

It's a good question. The sweat under my tape on my fistula bothered me.

[Charlie B53]

Sweat was such a problem with the bandage on my PD cath that my Nurse left the bandage OFF.  It healed up fine and never had another problem.

A Venous Cath the concern over infection shorter pathway to the heart is a whole different thing.

The PD cath could only infect the abdominal cavity vs a direct path to the inside of the heart.

The bandage on a Chest cath is standard procedure to change it at every clinic visit.  At least so I'm told at my current Fresenius Clinic.   They don't even give me any supplies to change it at home.  Which wasn't really a problem as I expected over this past Summer.  I generally sweat a lot working out in the heat in the yard, but these bandages really are pretty well stuck on.  So far, so good.  Mine will most likely be pulled in the next couple of weeks, or month, so this Summer shouldn't be a problem either.

River, here I come!

[GA_DAWG]

At our clinic, only the nurses put people on or take them off if they have a catheter. They also do all of the taping and gt really indignant if someone returns and they can tell the dressing has been tampered with. I also remember when I had my catheter in the hospital. Only the dialysis nurses were allowed to touch it, not even the floor nurses.

[Charlie B53]

Dialysis Nurses are also very possessive with our Fistulas..I have to laugh every admission how easy it would be to put an IV in mine, or take a blood draw.  The Tech's and Nurses almost pale with fear, telling me how they have VERY strict orders not even to think about it!

I still laugh.

But I have a very sick sense of humor.

[Charlie B53]

Like,  What IF..........

What if I took the cap off this thing and blew it up like a balloon!

Yea, Right.  I'd be SURE to get an infection that could easily kill me before tomorrow!

I bet that would hurt!


And that is just with a PD Cath.  A Venous Cath, possibly within minutes!

I'll just leave these caps on and let my Nurse take care of it.

[GA_DAWG]

Yeah. I found out about floor nurses not being allowed to touch the catheter when I suggested instead of sticking me again to take a blood draw, they just get it from the catheter. The floor nurse almost fell out.

[babycake]

Yeah. I found out about floor nurses not being allowed to touch the catheter when I suggested instead of sticking me again to take a blood draw, they just get it from the catheter. The floor nurse almost fell out.

the nurse at my center
 as far as i knew
was the only one that
was allowed to clean
the cath unless it was
directed by a tech

but should i do or do not
have the cath put in if its
going to interfer

[Simon Dog]

Yeah. I found out about floor nurses not being allowed to touch the catheter when I suggested instead of sticking me again to take a blood draw, they just get it from the catheter. The floor nurse almost fell out.

This varies by state.   When I visited NY on a cath, only RNs could touch it.  Back home in the DPRM, techs could.  Ditto for administration of heparin.

[Charlie B53]

the nurse at my center
 as far as i knew
was the only one that
was allowed to clean
the cath unless it was
directed by a tech

but should i do or do not
have the cath put in if its
going to interfer

I still do not understand who or where you were given the impression that a chest cath will interfer with your sensitivie heart.

Try to relax and not over think this.

It WILL be O.K.

But to really set your mind at ease remember to ask your Vascular Surgeon or your Cardiologist this question.  He or she should be able to tell you IF and what any possible risks are.  Other than keeping dressing changes Religiously clean to prevent infection, you will be fine.

[GA_DAWG]

Charlie is right. At some point, you just have to trust your doctors. If they have somehow proven to be less than trustworthy, you should find new ones. Find a tech or nurse you trust, and ask them questions. All of our techs and nurses are good, but there is one I go to for the answer to any question I have.

[Michael Murphy]

One of my favorite nurses is the charge nurse at the clinic I go to.  When I have been told something questionable, by a doctor I run it by her she always answers but the look on her face is generally the only thing I need to know.  She is a treasure.

[babycake]

One of my favorite nurses is the charge nurse at the clinic I go to.  When I have been told something questionable, by a doctor I run it by her she always answers but the look on her face is generally the only thing I need to know.  She is a treasure.

there had been only a few
nurses at my center
that were a treasure
at my center
 which the ones i felt comfortable
with have transfered else where

but i will see my heart  doc next week

i saw the infection disease doc today
 and i told her what i felt
 and i even made a comment
i would rather have the
antibiotics the rest of my life
than to have a chest cath
between her and my mom
 both stated i was stubborn
 ok i admit i am
 

[PrimeTimer]

We have a member on here by the name of "kristina" who has had a lot of good use and experience with her chest cath. She is meticulous about caring for it and it does not seem to slow her down one bit. I think it comes down to attitude and deciding how to live with something without it ruining your time. I think it would be worse if you couldn't have a chest cath because then what would you do without it? My husband had one before his fistula was mature enough to be used. We taped a plastic bag around him so the cath wouldn't get wet and he used a hand-held shower hose. Then, after his shower I would wash his hair in the sink while he kept the plastic bag taped around his neck along with a thick dry bath towel wrapped around his neck. The cath never got wet. He had it for I think 6-9 weeks with no problems. I'm sure it will go just as good for you too. Good luck. 

[babycake]

We have a member on here by the name of "kristina" who has had a lot of good use and experience with her chest cath. She is meticulous about caring for it and it does not seem to slow her down one bit. I think it comes down to attitude and deciding how to live with something without it ruining your time. I think it would be worse if you couldn't have a chest cath because then what would you do without it? My husband had one before his fistula was mature enough to be used. We taped a plastic bag around him so the cath wouldn't get wet and he used a hand-held shower hose. Then, after his shower I would wash his hair in the sink while he kept the plastic bag taped around his neck along with a thick dry bath towel wrapped around his neck. The cath never got wet. He had it for I think 6-9 weeks with no problems. I'm sure it will go just as good for you too. Good luck.

my son had a emergency
chest cath
9yrs ago
he was rush  in icu where
he went into cardiac arrest
we didnt know untill
a yr or 2 before that he only had 1 kidney
he got his transplant 3yrs ago
and doing awesome
he had his chest cath
for 6months

[PrimeTimer]

Sounds like you've got good experience with chest caths, babycake. Sorry that you need one but hopefully since you have some experience it is not too scary for you. You're to be commended for staying on-top of your health concerns. No one should have to go thru what you've been thru. Others can read your posts tho and learn. It's good that you share your experience with us. You and your son are in our thoughts and prayers tonite. 

[Charlie B53]

My chest cath was placed 13 months ago after my PD cath had to be removed, a nasty infection would not resolve.

My fistula has had to be worked on a few times but it seems to be working well enough now my chest cath should be coming out very soon.

Cleanliness, and clean technique is critical to preventing infection.  Many people have successfully had a chest cath for years without problems.

Again, I suspect fear of the unknown to be one of our largest problems.  That's what is so great about having IHD to come and learn that most of those fears are mostly unfounded.

As Always, Stay Carefull,

Charlie B53

[babycake]

My chest cath was placed 13 months ago after my PD cath had to be removed, a nasty infection would not resolve.

My fistula has had to be worked on a few times but it seems to be working well enough now my chest cath should be coming out very soon.

Cleanliness, and clean technique is critical to preventing infection.  Many people have successfully had a chest cath for years without problems.

Again, I suspect fear of the unknown to be one of our largest problems.  That's what is so great about having IHD to come and learn that most of those fears are mostly unfounded.

huh  what? 13months omg
 for i was told a number of times
 a person can only have a chest cath for 6months

As Always, Stay Carefull,

Charlie B53






EDITED: Fixed quote tag error-kitkatz,Admin

[Charlie B53]

Dr tells me the body does not like foreign objects to be left inside for too long.  That a blood vessel can try to grow a mass surrounding that object/needle to isolate it from the rest of the body.  When this occurs it can greatly restrict flow through that vessel also causing a lack of blood flow throughout that whole area that vessel returns from, like my right arm, causing severe weakness in that arm.

However, there are many patients that have had a chest cath in for a number of YEARS, like five.  So I am not too concerned at being barely over one year.

[kristina]

We have a member on here by the name of "kristina" who has had a lot of good use and experience with her chest cath. She is meticulous about caring for it and it does not seem to slow her down one bit. I think it comes down to attitude and deciding how to live with something without it ruining your time. I think it would be worse if you couldn't have a chest cath because then what would you do without it? My husband had one before his fistula was mature enough to be used. We taped a plastic bag around him so the cath wouldn't get wet and he used a hand-held shower hose. Then, after his shower I would wash his hair in the sink while he kept the plastic bag taped around his neck along with a thick dry bath towel wrapped around his neck. The cath never got wet. He had it for I think 6-9 weeks with no problems. I'm sure it will go just as good for you too. Good luck.

Thank you PrimeTimer for this wonderful write-up! It is true, that a chest-cath is only recommendable if the patient is extremely meticulous about caring for it at all times. For example, I have to be extremely careful to make absolutely sure that no water comes ever near it. Adding to that, the chest-cath has to be carefully fastened, so that nothing can ever happen to it. I mention this, to point out, that one also has to be extremely careful not to touch it by mistake whilst at sleep etc. (The thought alone gives me wobbly knees already...)
Good-luck-wishes from Kristina.