I did my own needles today

[G-Ma]

   After how CHICKEN I was, I am sooooooo pumped.  I did it, both needles, first try each, I'll enjoy it for now cuz perhaps will not happen all the time, so next is NX Stage I guess.

[flip]

did you use a clamp or tourniquet?

[monrein]

  G-ma It's a good feeling isn't it?   My fistula is still a bit fragile so I usually get my arterial but the venous is dodgy.  It'll come with time and perseverance.  I'm so glad you had success first time around and hope it gets easier every time.

[G-Ma]

Light Tourniquet and my fingers to clot at the end.  I had trouble clotting but I am afraid of hurting the fistula so was too light.

[flip]

I've been practicing on mine. I use a clamp. Mine is pretty close to the surface so the stick is fairly easy and the insertation angle is very low. I'm working on a way to clamp my sites after the needle is pulled.

[twirl]

     for U
I am so proud and you are so brave
you have my complete respect
I have never looked at the needles
YOU ARE IT 

[G-Ma]

Come on twirl, now you can do it...just peek...I did the same and now, wow.....Flip, we must have the same surgeon....mine is very close and about a 25 degree angle, I just have to be careful not to poke through...let me know how you are clamping the sites as that is what I'll need help with as I am determined to do this all alone.  Yes, Monrein, the tech that took me off said some veins "jump"  oh great.  My veins have always rolled after they get tired of being poked for regular blood work in years past.

[flip]

Right now I'm sticking a folded 4x4 to the flat side of the clamp and placing it loosely over the site while I pull the needle with my fistula hand. When the needle comes out I clamp down quickly.

[pelagia]

You all are completely amazing.  Tonight you are my heros, all of you, for being so in charge of your well-bring  .

[del]

Congratulations  you did it!!!  You will have so much more control of your dialysis at home.

[flip]

I wish I could too.

[G-Ma]

Thanks Flip...I will try that clamping tech.  Next step is for you to try home hemo...I'm sorry if I missed something from before I came on IHD as to why you cannot do home hemo.  I also would like to keep my free days but tossed a quarter and am going to try.  If I can shorten the time I think I'll like that.  My arm got numb today on the 3rd hour and still had one to go so I was really glad to see the 4th hour come around.  I have never cut my time short and won't start now. Thanks del and palagia.

[flip]

I don't have a caretaker.

[G-Ma]

I'm sorry, me either.  I'm taking my 14 yr old grandaughter because they demand it for training but I don't want to depend on anyone and luckily my sons work about 10 min away so if I call they can be here fast.  I plan on doing this alone and travel some. I think I can train anyone to help me if I visit family or friends.  Hopefully it will all work out.

[Adam_W]

Good job on the self-cannulation. When I learned how to stick myself, that really took away my fear of the needles, since I was in control of how the needle went in. As for the partner issue, that's part of the reason I've switched to PD. I'm going to be living alone, and they won't let me do it alone, which sucks because I've done it 100% myself for over a year, and I feel entirely comfortable doing it alone (I actually have a few times, just don't tell my centre). I feel that it should be entirely the patient's decision on whether or not they have a partner. Back to the needles, I had to do hemo today (and I'll have to do it the rest of the week) because of the leaking I've been having with my PD, and I was afraid I'd have trouble with my needling because I hadn't done it in a while, but I didn't have any trouble, except for one little amusing mistake both me and my nurses made, but that didn't have to do with my needling ability.

Adam

[G-Ma]

Adam, I'm sorry about the trouble you are having and hope it gets better FAST...you know I remember holding the needle and then was hooked up so don't know where my mind went during the work so will have to force myself to watch on Wed.  I met a man at NXStage that was training alone so it may be up to the Dr. as some people have said.  The Davita Director here knows I plan on doing this alone and didn't see a problem with it or just didn't say but she knows I plan on spending time out of state by the end of the year.

[jbeany]

Nice going, G-Ma!   

[G-Ma]

thx jbeany

[Bajanne]

I am so proud of you!   Epoman used to do his own needles.  I always wished I could, but I am a scaredy cat.  there was one young lady in our centre who used to put in her own needles.  But since she had some trouble with her graft and they put in a new one, I don't think she has started back.  I would love to be able to do that!    More power to you!

[flip]

I think it would be much harder without the cream.

[G-Ma]

oh great and I was thinking about doing it without cream on Wed......perhaps I'll rethink that one. 

[monrein]

Of course everyone's different but personally I don't like using cream or any topical numbing agents because I find that I can feel things better without and the pain is entirely bearable for me.  I found that the fear of the needles was 99% psychological, which is NOT to say that it's silly, just that it can be overcome.  I got over it in part by pressing my fingernail hard into my arm, as hard as I could and talking to myself about how it felt like a pinching but not what I'd call pain.  Then I told myself that the needles don't actually "hurt" more than that and they don't, for me.  The fear of the pain was the worst part.  The needles are super sharp and except for times when you hit a nerve dead on it's all over pretty fast.

Good luck G-Ma with whatever you decide.  I'm sure you'll continue to stick yourself successfully.

[G-Ma]

Thx for the suggestion Monrein...yes the fear is very high on my scale...perhaps a cast iron fry pan upside my head before I start..that would do it.

[Ohio Buckeye]

Wow G-Ma, that is great.
I admire all you brave people who do the needle thing.
I could never, that is why I am on PD.
Hope it continues to go so well for you.

[monrein]

    Just be extra careful with the frying pan.  It's really hard to insert the needles while you're lying flat out on the floor.