decisions

[Turttletools]

i soooooo wanted to get rid of my catheter, but is it common if there are difficulties with fistula to request to return to a catheter?

[bestmom247]

It is your body, demand to go back to catheter! I been using a catheter the entire time I have been on dialysis (over 3 years). You know your body, you know how much pain you can take, so, don't alsk, tell them that is what you want. I live in Florida and I swim in MY pool, I shower regularly, You just bneed to order shower shields and should your catheter get we you just change out the dressing. Life for me seems beter without the fistula. In the very beginning I wanted one soooooo badly, but after seeing what goes on with the disfigurement, pain, and spurting, I know that is not for me. My Nephrologist constant reminds me that I am costing him and the Center money, but I only do what is best for me!!!!!

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador in reply to bestmom247]

Costing him and center money. That's so wrong.ìm sorry. Blessings

[bestmom24 in reply to KidneyCoach]

Thank you. Be strong and take charge of you health care needs.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to bestmom247]

Bestmom.... You truly ARE the best.... good for you for advocating for what works within your life. I do not understand why you think there is more cost in how they hook you up in center. I a wondering about that because they always push for the fistula, whereas a catheter IS so much easier. There is less skill to hook a catheter as opposed to a fistula. And... I am just curious, you can swim with a catheter?

[Turttletools in reply to bestmom247]

Today my stick went well and feel like i can breathe again.

[Mich1949 in reply to bestmom247]

Well done you! There's a chap I know well, in our centre who refuses to have a fistula. He told me, "Having watched you all, with all the problems I see you have, I would never have one". I think I'll bear that in mind if anything goes wrong with my fistula...

[Turttletools]

i was told i could not swim with a cathether. Covering it gor a weekly shower was stressful.

[bestmom247 in reply to Turttletools]

I do not swim in the ocean (I live in Florida). Only because I am afraid of the bacteria; however, how difficlt is it to put a shower shield over the entire catheter? I purchase my by the roll from Amazon, pre-cut and pt them on daily to shower or swim in my pool.

[bestmom247 in reply to bestmom247]

Please explain your difficulty with the shower sheilds. Perhaps we can help.

[Turttletools in reply to bestmom247]

i'm not sure i bought the correct items when i was showering, is there a brand ?

[bestmom247 in reply to Turttletools]

What I purchase is on amazon.com. It comes in either 6 nch or 4 inch widths.

Transparent Stretch Adhesive Bandage, 4 Inch x 10.94 Yard - Waterproof Clear Film Dressing Bandages, Adhesive Bandages Shower Shield Dressing Tape for Tattoos Swimming Showering

I put it over my banage and when I remove it after swimming or showering, I have to put a clean bandage on because it pulls off the old one with the removal process.

[Hidden]

I'm curious what the thinking is that it's costing them time and money. I had a catheter for the 3 months I was on hemo in center and my Nephrologist kept telling me that it's not good to keep a catheter. I'm guessing because of the infection risk. My nephew had a business partner that had a chest port for chemo treatment. He ended up dying from an infection that got out of hand. Anyway, my Neph pushed for PD with me and I'm glad he did. Having seen in center hemo and the people with fistulas, I can see where one might prefer a catheter. In my case, the rate of flow kept dropping and the techs had to keep swapping lines around to get the flow back up.

[bestmom247]

The risk of infection is higher with a catheter, but.... I keep my clean and changed daily and thus far have not had any infections.