Fistula Stopped Working

[scoot2puff27]

My son was at his dialysis treatment this morning & his fistula is not working . Has blood clots in the line. Does this happen to other dialysis patients? Calling his Doctor this morning. Really worried . Does any one know what happens when you have a problem like this.. Thank you 479scoot17

[LoisDuncan]

You have a fistula gram done they clean it out it seems Scarry at first but I have many now, they have a small line that goes inside it's a cool process and you can have it done as local they build a fort over you so you don't watch and they talk to you during the process. It isn't Scarry anymore I am waiting for mine to be scheduled my vinous pressure has changed so it's needed soon. I had to be careful not to fall asleep on my arm so important. Have a great fistula gram.

[Jessi1027]

I have been doing dialysis for many years. These things happen unfortunately. But if its not too late he may need to have a procedure done called ango plasty (I think thats how u spell it) its where they put a catheter into his vein and expand it with a little balloon. The balloon sretches the vessel so blood can flow more freely. He may be getting clots from narrowing of the artery. Which in some cases if procedure doesn't work a new fistula might have to be put in. I hope everything goes well.

[scoot2puff27 in reply to Jessi1027]

Thank you for getting back to me. The doctor did put a stent in a couple of months ago. Doctor was able to blast the blood clots & the fistula is working now. Hope he does not have to go through that again. No one tells you about the pitfalls of Dialysis. Thank you agsain

[Jessi1027 in reply to scoot2puff27]

Oh thats good. Glad its back to working. His nephrologist and/or dialysis team should be knowledgeable of these sort of things. Good luck to you.

[scoot2puff27 in reply to Jessi1027]

It is a bit scary when things happen. There is so much with Dialysis wish there was a less problems that might occur around the corner. Didn't even think of blood clots .Thanks

[mingmiley in reply to scoot2puff27]

I had about seven angioplastic done the last three years, but a man in our kidney center still using his original fistula dialyzed for 31 yrs already, Encouraging!

[SamuelChin in reply to mingmiley]

31 years, that is indeed amazing!

How old is he?

[mingmiley in reply to SamuelChin]

Sorry , just seeing your reply now. He is about 75 now. Thanks for replying.

[mingmiley in reply to scoot2puff27]

Once I used angioplastic, then after that almost every few months or half year I had to go in for another angioplastic. I did about 12 or 13 angioplastics on the last 6 years.

[mingmiley in reply to Jessi1027]

When I got my angioplastic done, the procedure nurse told me the sedation they used will affect my memory so from then on when I need an angioplastic I usually told them to skip sedation.

[KelliC_NKF]

Unfortunately, problems with fistulas are not uncommon. As others mentioned they will send your son to see a vascular surgeon to evaluate and make any necessary changes or "revisions" to his fistula so that it will work well again. Here is some helpful additional information on fistulas: kidney.org/atoz/content/hem...

[scoot2puff27 in reply to KelliC_NKF]

My son's vascular surgeon is great. He took care of it right away. Glad that is over. Thanks

[KelliC_NKF in reply to scoot2puff27]

Glad to hear it!

[lbrmarsh]

I HAD A FISCULA PUT IN AHEAD OF TIME TO GIVE IT TIME TO MATURE AND BE READY WHEN THE TIME COMES THAT I NEED DIALYSIS AFTER IT WAS DONE, HAD TO IMMEDIATELY GO BACK INTO SURGERY SINCE IT DEVELOPED A BLOOD CLOT. DURING THE SECOND SURGERY WHICH WAS SCHEDULED TO TAKE AN HOUR, THE VEIN COLLAPSED. DOC AND SURGICAL TEAM WORKED FRANTICALLY FOR 3 AND1/2 HOURS TO PULL ANOTHER BLOOD VESSEL FROM FURTHER UP MY ARM AND PU LL IT DOWNT O THE FISCULA SIGHT A LITTLE ABOVE MY WRIST. ALL IS FINE NOW AS FAR AS IT WORKING (HAVE A PULSE AND CAN HEAR IT BEATING WHEN HELD UP TO MY EAR) BUT EVEN WITHOUT USING IT YET FOR DIALYSIS, THE AREA HURTS A LOT. THE FISCULA SITE IS SLIGHTLY ABOVE MY WRIST ON THE LEFT ARM, BUT I'M A LEFTY. EVERY TIME I USE MY HAND I GET PAIN IN THE FISCULA AREA. MY HAND ALSO GETS SWOLLEN. WENT BACK TO SURGEON WHO WAS HAPPY IT WAS WORKING,AND SAID THE PAIN WAS NOT DANGEROUS AND NOTHING TO DO ABOUT IT. BUT THE BLOOD FLOWS BACKWARD DOWN INTO MY HAND WHICH SWELLS AND HURTS. FINGERS PAINFUL AND NUMB. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT WILL BE WHEN I ACTUALLY START USING THE FISTULA! NERVOUS!

ALSO, HEARD ONE CAN RUB CREAM OR PLACE A PATCH ONE HOUR BEFORE DIALYSIS TO PREVENT OR LESSEN PAIN OF NEEDLE INSERTION. I AM ON A VERY HIGH DOSAGE OF OPIODS FOR OTHER REASONS AND WONDER IF ADDING A PATCH OR CREAM WILL CAUSE AN OVERDOSE WHEN COUPLED WITH MY CURRENT OPIODS. ANY INPUT ON THAT? BUT FROM WHAT I HEAR, THE BLOOD CLOTTING I NTHE FISTULA IS "normal" sort of and happens to many all of the time needing surgery to clear the clog ever y few months.

LIfe is fun, huh?

[scoot2puff27]

Sorry to hear about all you had to go through. My Son's fistula is in the upper arm. Doctor was able to blast the clot out with a heavy dose of blood thinner. He uses a cream HI TECH Pharmacal Lidocaine-Prilocaine Cream RX only 30 Grams apply 1/2 hr before Dialysis. It does help with the pain. The wrist area is very painful. Wish you the best.

[lbrmarsh]

thanks for the 411 on the Lidocaine cream. Hope it's something I can use with taking opiods. good luck with your son.

[mingmiley]

It used to be very painful when some Techs did my needle, then I found out my fistula is not deep, it actually is shallow and they went in too deep, that caused the painfulness. then I took on myself, I learned to stick myself thus avoided a lot of uncomfortableness.