New AV Fistulsa

[allene7]

Hi all I just had surgery today for an av fistula placement. Happy to say all went well, no pain meds were needed. It is very black and blue with some swelling and a bit of red not serious though,. I have elevated and iced it and tried hard to not use it, I'm grateful it was so smooth and very little pain. I dreaded this day and this surgery but here we are.

Question how awful is in center hemodialysis? I wanted to do PD but it involved lots of training back and forth every day an hour and a half away plus about 8 hours of training daily. I have a dog and I cannot drive that every day and leave her alone for that amount of time.

Does anyone cover their fistula? I'm thinking of buying a cover and a bracelet. They gave me one but it's very generic. I want something more specific that states no bp or blood pressure or blood draws something lime that.

How painful is it to be stuck every time ? Does is hurt much any suggestions. I'm not sure but my doctor likes to wait at least 3 months to start and I'm fine with that. Who knows maybe I will get my kidney prior to starting dialysis. I've been on the transplant list for a little over 3 years.

I'm a 66 yr old female I say that because it seems lots of people like to know that.

Thank you in advance for any advice or suggestions.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Lots Of questions here. So I am not up on PD. I do home hemodialysis. Is it hard, yup in every sense. Worth it once you get things down and you get to the point where there are no alarms. I love being in control and I love doing it when I want. Both PD and HHD have a lot more work involved, such as inventory, carrying boxes, and maintain the equipment. But the freedom is worth it and not traveling is the best. I am home in my pjs with my husband and my dog. I can snack if I want, snooze if I want. I can do it in the morning, afternoon or night or skip. ( Not good to skip) I do not have to worry about nasty people or untrained staff. I also still pee a lot so I get off an run to the potty. I do a very short treatment, so it is not as bad as some. I cannot imagine sitting and listening to all the noise and complaints and bad attitudes in center. But not all are like that.

The training for both PD and HHD requires training in center and then you come home and train there. My center was extremely supportive and was with me at home for over a month. Partially because the Tech likes me and we would chat for the time I was on. PD is easier form what I have heard but HHD does a better job. We were in training for only four hours so make sure you have to be there all day. You might because of the actual treatment time.

Needles... I am totally the wrong person to ask. They do not bother me at all. I am actually very good at canulation. They want me to train others. Does it hurt, of course it does. I use a 15-gauge needle which is the second largest needle they make. 14 is a trauma needle. The larger the needle, the lower the number. They use 22 and 24 for IV just for reference. There is a pinch, and it is over. But they have creams you can put on to numb the area. A good tech or nurse will get it the first time and easily not hurt you. When the fistula is new, it is more difficult to poke. After a while it gets bigger and less discomfort. Waiting 3 months is necessary for the fistula to get healed and get pumped up so it will be an easier stick. 3 months is pretty short. That's what I did and it was too soon. The first week I got infiltrated and it was terrible. So if can wait a bit longer and work on exercises like squeezing a ball, it will help.

Go visit the training center and in center before you decide. It will make a difference.

[allene7 in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thank you so much for the reply I appreciate it. I'm hoping to wait past 3 months if possible. My egfr is 10 I feel good. So, fingers crossed. It's good to hear from others.

[jodaer]

I can't help you on the dialysis questions but I have an AV fistula too. Mine is not quite 2 months old. It was an easy go too. I have a bracelet that says NO BP or needles that I got from Amazon for only about 15$. It's very nice. But! not sure how effective it is. I was at the doctor's office the other day and the nurse tried to take my BP on that arm. That's made me wonder what others do. Of course I can say which arm but what if I'm unconscious? Would they look at the bracelet.

[allene7 in reply to jodaer]

Thanks for the reply so happy your surgery went smoothly too. I did order a bracelet. They gave me one in the hospital but it just says restricted access extremity. That is not helpful. I have heard so many say they have had to tell a medical person no needles or bp in an arm because they don't listen or pay attention. I also wonder what the heck if you'are unconscious that's a scary thought for sure.

Well we can pray that a kidney comes out way before having to do dialysis.

Good luck.

[drmind in reply to jodaer]

Maybe one should consider getting a small tattoo om that arm saying "no BP or injections" Actually. It could be done when you get the fistula Just a thought.

[allene7 in reply to drmind]

I already have me fistula I had it done Friday. I like the idea of the tattoo but it's to late for me at this point.

[Shooter0202x]

I have an av fistula and I do hemo dialysis at he in canulate myself and my daughter was trained to do it as well . As far as painful that can be taken care of with a topical lidocaine cream you put on an hour before you dialysis treatment Put it on wrap it with saran wrap and leave f o r 1 hour it works wonders I don't feel the needles at all using the cream . In center dialysis should be able to numb the area as well . It's well worth the training if you can do it so you can get your reagents at home it much more relaxed and you control when you get your treatment . Good luck and God bless

[allene7 in reply to Shooter0202x]

Thanks for the information I appreciate it. I will have to go in center for now it's just not in the cards o travel and have a dog at home. I originally planned PD at home but due to travel and training and the dog it's just not possible at this time. Travel is because I live in a rural town and we have to travel to do so many things. Good to know about the numbing medicine.

[Shooter0202x in reply to allene7]

Your so welcome hang in there

[PeaB4YouGo in reply to Shooter0202x]

In my experience, I didn't have problems with the pain of getting stuck for dialysis. In fact, the pain of the actual insertion only last a few seconds. Before long, you'll be able to recognize the feeling when the needle just isn't in the right spot. That circumstance happens sometimes. I was only infiltrated once, and I knew it the moment it happened. I said, something doesn't feel right, at all!! I carried that bruise for a couple weeks.

As for lidocaine, I think I used it once. Seemed like a lot of effort for a pair of needle sticks.

[allene7 in reply to PeaB4YouGo]

Thank you I appreciate your in put.

[mrJoshua1979]

the pain from being stuck is very short. I no longer use the numbing cream it the cold spray.

[allene7 in reply to mrJoshua1979]

Thanks for the information that is good to know.

[Beachgirl32]

good luck to you I had my fistula September 13 unfortunately not never work. Make sure you feel your thrill if you don’t call your surgeon . I used to do pd at home but got fungal infection from the catheter so I had to go to hemo put an emergency port in my chest for hemo . But they don’t like you keeping that so in January I will have another surgery for a graft. I go to a center Tuesday Thursday and Saturday three hours I only seeen one gentlemen scream when they put needles in but he told me he is a super wimp and don’t like needles but he doesn’t want pd. A lot of people have told me they use a numbing cream prescription from doctor they put it on like 45 minutes before good luck in your dialysis journey .

[allene7 in reply to Beachgirl32]

Thank you for your reply. They drilled it into my head to make sure you feel and or see the thrill. So far so good. I'm hoping all goes well, but one never knows.

I'm very sorry your PD didn't work out or your first fistula. I hope this next one works well for you.

Good luck.