I am having a bad time with my fistula! It's been 7 months since fistula was done. I've had 3 balloon procedures. I've had one blowup after another. I've been on a port/ catheter for 9 months and can't get rid if it b/c of poor fistula performance. At my last dr appt he said my fistula was a good size and should work. I made it thru 1 session and blew up on the next.
Should I just face that it's not going to work? How long do you try on the same fistula? Has anyone had this experience?
Should I try a consult with a different surgeon?
Written by
Dhouse
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It's really common to get blows with new fistulas. I had mine for 18months and thought that meant it wasn't new but it's only when it starts to get used it really develops. I have had 10 sessions now and had 2 blows. One on my second session and one on my 9th. They hurt and the bruising is crazy, but you just have to push on, it's very common. If they say you have a good flow through the fistula then that's good news. I had several balloons and surgery to cut out a looping but using it successfully minus the blows.
I know it's hard but you will get there. Are the dialysis nurse concerned there is an issue with the fistula? Have they tried again using the fistula? Your bound to be worried about this as its all the unknown.
Used the fistula today! No problem. But this has been the pattern. Get a balloon procedure- it works for 2 to 3 times and then blows up. The nurses are puzzled as to why this keeps on happening. My fistula sounds are really strong. I really want to get this port out of my chest. I've read about many problems that a port can cause the longer it stays in.
Are you in the US. Here in the UK they say blows are really common in the beginning and it's whilst the fistula gets use to the needles they are pretty big and your fistula like mine is still very soft and not become harden to it all. Maybe they need to keep the bump speed lower. I'm actually learning to home HD so started to needle myself and to be honest I find thst much better as I can feel where I am going. Your fistula sounds good to me and blows are just a natural process, not a nice process but remember small baby steps is all we can ask for.
I use a squeezy ball/stress ball twice a day, some times more, I'm always wiggling my fingers, I avoid carrying shopping bags on the fistula arm and I never let any one do blood pressure checks on it.
So when you have a blow do they stop using it on the next session and go back to the catheter? I have no catheter so they just co to be using it.
Also another question going into the session does it blow and is it the arterial or venous line that blows. Also what are you pressures on those. Sorry for all the questions just think it might give me a clue to why it's happening and me able to help you. You might not know this stuff the only reason I do as I said I'm learning to go it at home so have to understand all aspects.
I will help you in any way I can. Stay strong you do get there on this rollercoaster we have to go with the highs and lows but someone is always here to help you through them both
They should be starting with smaller needles say 17 gauge. See if you can have the same person (or even try it yourself) to do the sticks each time. Having different people do the sticks is not good as they will all use a differing angle and process or fail to assess the access properly. Doing your own sticks. I cannot recall in 17 years having an infiltration (blow out) done by myself or spouse. ALL my infiltrations have been done by in-center staff. Best of luck. Blessings
I have a fistula, but it has not been used yet. I do not have luck going to Lab Corp or Quest to have my blood drawn. What they do is put the needle in and then when they are done they put a piece of gauze over the needle, PUSH DOWN, and then pull out the needle. This causes the needle to slice through the back of the vein and cause blood to leak in to the muscle tissue causing a hemotoma. So when I go to a dialysis center I will ask each time that they do not push down on the gauze until the needle is OUT OF MY ARM. The blood will not squirt into their eye, so I do not know why they do this!! The needles are very sharp on the tip, like a knife. I wish you all well.
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Recovery from AV Fistula Surgery
