Fistula placement

[ndl0520]

Hello everyone,

I have a couple of questions I would like to ask.  I just recently have my fistula placed on my left arm just below the wrist line.  Do you think that is a good location for it and my other question is, do you think the needle stick will tremendously hurt from or do they all hurt no matter where the fistula is located?  I'm just curious and wanted some opinions.  When I first saw it, I thought that was a good location for it.  But as time went by, I realized the veins will grow to the point where it might be very noticeable whenever I wear short sleeves.  What do u guys think.

[bolta72]

Mine is also below the wrist and after close to two years, I have no real problems.

[monrein]

Hi there
My first fistula was right at the wrist and the vein developed up the arm above the scar.  I did my own needles for five years of dialysis and it worked great all that time.  For sure by the end of the 5 years the vein was not a pretty thing but my main concern was that it work well.  I used to wear short sleeves and people would sometimes react but then I could educate them about dialysis and organ donation.  I'm sure you won't feel like that at first but in time I think you might find that the looks of it are not the biggest deal...feeling the thrill and hearing the bruit will be more important.  I preferred doing my own needles because I found that it hurt less since my mind was busy, I felt I had some control over what was happening and also I got to know the vein really well.  Also I was very consistent with the ladder technique so the vein developed evenly and didn't develop too many bulges.  Now the big thing is that everyone is so different that I don't know how it will be for you but I wish you the best and this is a really good place to ask questions and hear about how it's gone for some others.

[flip]

Mine is in the same location with no problems. I use the lidocaine/prilocaine cream before dialysis so the sticks are painless.

[Ang]

they  start  at  the  wrist  ,  if  your  veins  are'nt  2  good  they  move  above  the  elbow,  no  matter  where  it  is  ,  the  fistula  will  generally  grow,  the  more  you  use  it,but  as  monrein  says  as  long  as  you  can  feel  the  thrill  thats  the  most important  thing,try  not  to  become  self  concious  as  its  a  part  of  who  you  are.
good  luck.

[boxman55]

Mine is on the inside of the elbow. It looks like a pulsating grub under the skin. I have also developed protruding veins below the elbow along with one up the bicep which is where they stick me. I use the ethyl chloride spray to reduce the stick...Boxman

[oleboy]

Mine placed 01/03/08 is lower left arm just prior to wrist,from wrist back on top two to three inches I have nerve damage or it just feels like the area is asleep so I did not feel the sticks, bu now doing CCPD, here the cramps are the issue.