Fistula questions

[jodaer]

I met with the vascular surgeon today to discuss getting a fistula. He said they generally only last 4-5 years. I don't think I've heard that before. How about you guys and gals.

[Sapphire187]

I have never heard that specific number. Most information I’ve read about av fistulas say they last “many years”. That said, I’d say it depends on the person. I had av fistula surgery this past July, and my fistula didn’t even last one month. It became occluded and was not able to be fixed. Never even got to use it! I’ve read stories where people have had the same fistula for decades.

[Jumbo1]

Depends on person, I think. Mine is going to 10 yrs.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

I never heard of a time line on a fistula. Depends on the person's veins and also how often they use it, and how damaged it becomes from bad pokes. I wouldn't worry about it at this point. I had mine done a year ago and it's just now become "ripe" and easy to use. My skin does not bulge like some.

[Oscar_25]

I too have not heard of a time frame for the life of the fustula. I've had mine for over 3 years now and it's still functionable. I'm a transplant recipient now and on my dr's ist they check my fistula. If my kidney fails, I may go back to dialysis using my fistula.

[Ballspinner]

I've had mine since 2015, a year before I started dialysis. After more than 4 years of dialysis, I received a transplant. That will be 4 years old in December, and I still feel the thrill of the fistula. Now you should know that I had multiple procedures called fistulagrams or balloon angioplasty during my dialysis years to expand it or clear it out. And I always tried to have techs or nurses that were experienced with putting the needles in and taking them out on me. If you take care of your fistula and keep it clean and free of infections, it will take care of you!

[JEanes55]

I have one and it’s been in my arm for 18 years. I try not to sleep on it or it goes numb. It’s big and really an eye sore when I wear short sleeves. I started water aerobics and everyone saw it and asked if I was on dialysis. I have a transplant and they don’t take it out. It grows to your body and is a part of your body.

[Epril in reply to JEanes55]

I received a kidney, hurrah!, in July. My neuro told me he could take my fistula, which I luckily never had to use, out since it's not good for blood pressure since your blood is always rushing.

[JEanes55]

Hey!! That’s great!

[jodaer]

Thanks this is all very interesting. He did talk how all the sticking has something to do with it. We're all different

[Helloyall]

While i do not have one personally there is a bigger failure rate in the "seasoned citizens" with diabetes. If your blood glucose is well controlled now you nay prove doctor wrong however. Please refer to the article ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl....

[jodaer in reply to Helloyall]

I'm not sure if this is pertinent but he's going to do a brachial fistula.