longevity of catheter

[jambo101]

After two failed attempts at a fistula they finally stuck a catheter in my neck, it works well. i was wondering how long these catheters last before they need to be replaced.

[lulu836]

Hi jambo...........I've had 3 in 4 years.  I had a bad clotting problem at first so that was one replacement,  Then I totaled my van and seat belt messed up another  That's 2.  Medium clotting and a couple of "cath-washes" and a 3rd replacement.  Don't know about other folks cath longevity.  I prefer the chest catheter over watching an aide come at me with a #17 needle.  Your mileage may vary.

[GA_DAWG]

The truth that I was told but did not fully believe until after I received a graft following unsuccessful fistula surgery is how much difference it made in how I felt after a treatment. I had my cahteter only for about six months before they attempted a fistula. When it did not take, they did vein mapping and determined I was going to need a graft instead.

[UkrainianTracksuit]

Hi jambo,

My grandfather was an advanced age dialysis patient so a catheter was the only option for him. He did HD for over 10 years and needed only 3 replacements. So, it was like an every 3 to 4 year event.

As for myself, when every sort of vascular access gave me trouble, I had a catheter. This last one lasted me for almost 2 years until I got a transplant. It gave me an issue once but some CathFlo fixed it right up.

Good luck and take care.

[rcjordan]

My first permcath lasted a month before it clotted shut.  The replacement has been in a year as of next week.  The clinics and veincare staff here are primarily concerned about sepsis, which the current wall poster says is 7 times more likely than with a fistula.  I'd keep my permcath except fistulas give me more freedom for outdoors, swimming, boating.  Easier showers will be nice, too.

[Riki]

I had mine for a year and a half.  I was diligent about not getting it wet, so I didn't shower, just washed in the tub, keeping it dry, and my mom washed my hair in the sink for me.  I only had it until I was able to get a fistula.  I've had it about 10 years now.

[lulu836]

Found out why changing mine was so painful.  If there is a lot of scar tissue around the cuff  they break it up by using a wooden dowel and as much pressure on the site for as long as it takes to break up the scarring.

That brings a question to mind.......the peeps who say do this, don't do that, don't take on so much fluid, you look a bit dehydrated.......have any of them (in your opinion) ever tried to adhere to the rules they  give out?

[Paul]

Jambo101 - Don't let what Lulu836 said scare you. I had mine changed a few months back under local anasetic, it was painless.

[lulu836]

So it is your opinion, Paul, that my experience does not qualify as valid? 

[GA_DAWG]

I don't think anyone's experience is not valid, but we all have different experiences that are shared. In my case, I only had a catheter for about six months and when they took it out, I did not feel anything with just a local. I do think most of us try to adhere to the rules, but as numerous people have pointed out at different times, sometimes you just gotta have a cheat day.

[KatieV]

Found out why changing mine was so painful.  If there is a lot of scar tissue around the cuff  they break it up by using a wooden dowel and as much pressure on the site for as long as it takes to break up the scarring.

That brings a question to mind.......the peeps who say do this, don't do that, don't take on so much fluid, you look a bit dehydrated.......have any of them (in your opinion) ever tried to adhere to the rules they  give out?

Different people grow scar tissue at different rates.  I have had multiple catheters (now have a working fistula) and always request conscious sedation when they remove the catheter.  "Oh, you won't need it!" they say - until they actually get in and start trying to rip it out of my chest!  Then they give me sedation meds mid-procedure (thankfully I am smart enough not to eat/drink prior).   And yes - it was the same way for a 6 week old catheter!

[jambo101]

Jambo101 - Don't let what Lulu836 said scare you. I had mine changed a few months back under local anasetic, it was painless.

 i had it put in under local anethetic so i was wide awake the whole time and didnt feel a thing, i'll presume its the same routine to take it out and put in a new one. as for fistulas? the idea of getting impaled with large needles three times a week does not sound enticing..

[UkrainianTracksuit]

It's certainly true that scar tissue is relative to the person. Some develop it more than others. I have scar tissue in a lot of places (especially veins) but for some reason, my catheter spot, after almost 2 years, had very little of it. There was some localized freezing and once the donut released, it slipped right out. The neph that pulled it showed it to me and there was just a wee bit of tissue attached to the line.

Kinda wanted to keep it for my collection of personal medical memorabilia....

But minus the needles around the upper breast area, there was no pain. Easy peasy. Some times things are just more difficult/harder for others. We're all different.

[GA_DAWG]

Jambo, both the failed fistula attempt and my graft were done with a block and light sedation. I remember during the graft procedure waking up and talking with the surgeon as he was putting it in. Frankly, I think I would prefer complete sedation because walking around the rest of the day having to basically carry one arm was no fun. As to the needles, ask for lidocaine/prilocaine cream. For me it works to remove the pain of being stuck six times a week. I understand it does not work for everyone, but it is worth a try at the very least.

[Riki]

Jambo101 - Don't let what Lulu836 said scare you. I had mine changed a few months back under local anasetic, it was painless.

 i had it put in under local anethetic so i was wide awake the whole time and didnt feel a thing, i'll presume its the same routine to take it out and put in a new one. as for fistulas? the idea of getting impaled with large needles three times a week does not sound enticing..

It wasn't that enticing to me either, but when I knew I couldn't go back to PD, I didn't feel I had a choice.  I certainly didn't want to continue with the line.  It hurt.  It got in the way when I was trying to do other things.  It made me look funny as it stuck out from under my clothes.  I couldn't shower.  I couldn't swim.

My fistula will be 10 years old  in November.  I use Emla cream on it so that the pain of the needles is minimal.  As much as I didn't look forward to the needles, it was the best thing I ever did.

[Charlie B53]

Scar tissue and Pain perception as both so individualized that  you cannot begin to compare two different peoples experiences.  What may have been easy peasy for one person may be excruciatingly painful and requiring total sedation for another.  Even though we are all Humans there is that much differences in individual perception.

I am Needle-Phobic.  Even the simple smell of an alcohol wipe prepping a site drives my anxiety, and blood pressure over 200.  And that is even before I see a needle coming at me.  Fortunate for me most procedures Dr totally knocks me out.

I make double sure prior to any procedure that Dr and Nurses know how much of a Whimp I am so they can make sure to use a topical on the area prior to injecting a local and to keep those needles out of my eyesight.

Placement of my Permacath was done during the surgery to remove my infected PD cath so fortunately I was totally out.

I was also out during surgery to create my fistula, and it's revision.

Removal of my Permacath was done with a local after application of a topical.  I was surprised after clipping and pulling out the stitch that held it in place how easily the Dr removed it.  He simply held one hand against my chest and with the other hand gave a very firm 'yank', and it was out.  He held direct pressure on the site over where the vein puncture was for a few minutes.  Done.  I was surprised, and impressed with the ease of the procedure. 

Fear would want me to be out if I needed another placed,, but I wouldn't be afraid to have another removed.

I can be such a Baby sometimes.

You needn't worry about being fearful of any procedure.  Staff has seen the whole range of Babies to Brave.  Just tell them if you have fears so they can help work around them.

[UkrainianTracksuit]

For each procedure where a fistula or AV graft was attempted (created and then later failed; or died shortly after), I was not under general anesthetic, but it was enough to put me out in another world. I felt nothing, heard nothing, seen nothing. The nerve block in the armpit helped too but having a numb arm for some minutes ahead of the procedure felt awful too. When I had to rely on a catheter, then I got the constant warnings, "You need to be careful and not use up all the veins in your neck. You're going to need them later in life." Damned if you go one way, damned if you go another....but hey, it is life-sustaining.

I'm totally a baby when it comes to pain. There's no shame in admitting that. I cried before each fistula or graft attempt because I said, even out loud, "Oh great, here comes the ugly arms." I have so much scar tissue that sticking an IV requires them to call the specialized team to come in and I still squeal. We're talking a whole life of pokes here, something has to give. So, I am stuck with really ugly arms now and when people ask, I say, "I rode the tiger (as an ode to Dio)... and I won!" Little do they know, I'm Queen of the Wussies on the Isle of Needlephobic. Someone asked how I could be a needlephobe after having Type 1 since birth... it happens! 

We're all different and I think each of our responses reflect that. Hence we ask publicly to get a gamut of views...

[GA_DAWG]

I agree. I am a baby about needles, even getting a splinter out. Despite using the cream, I still have to turn my head the other direction when getting stuck, even for the TB test they do. After they did the block to put in my graft, it was like my arm was just dead weight for another 8 hours afterward. I hated everything about the catheter with the exception of not having to wait for the bleeding to stop after a session. You just get up and leave, no holding sites.

[Riki]

I look away and concentrate on breathing when I'm getting my needles in.  I use Emla cream.  I swear by it.  There was a younger guy in my unit (well, younger than me, he was in in mid 30s) who would never use it because his father told him that "real men endure pain."  I always felt bad for him.  He's been transplanted, so he doesn't have to worry about that anymore