Fistulagram

[horsie63]

So this Wed (Feb 21) I go to the hospital for a fistulagram. My fistula was created on Dec 22 and at my last doc visit (Feb 15) he noted that it hasn't grown as much as he'd like, so the fistulagram and maybe angioplasty to make it grow enough to use. I'm not sure what all is entailed but it sounds painful. Has anyone had one done?

[RonZone]

Found this:

You may feel some discomfort when the balloon is inflated. The angioplasty usually takes about 1 hour.

Here:

saintlukeskc.org/health-lib....

I'm out of my league on this one, hopefully very experienced people will give you some piece of mind as to that "some discomfort" means.

[horsie63 in reply to RonZone]

Yeah that "some discomfort" bothers me. I was supposed to get a call today to explain the procedure but nothing so far.

[RonZone in reply to horsie63]

Like the "slight discomfort" of PD drain pain, it can range from what you had to what Beach had. Big range there. I HOPE yours is on the same range you had with drain pain.

[horsie63 in reply to RonZone]

I must have minimized how bad it was sometimes...I spent a week with pain so bad it dropped me to my knees. I finally called Baxter as my nurse was useless and they were able to tell me what I needed them to do. Once they fixed the time the drains were lasting it went away. Mine didn't last as long as Beach's did and I felt so bad for her.

[RonZone in reply to horsie63]

Yeah, I don't remember you saying it was that bad. Dang. That was bad. So drain time. Don't remember anyone mentioning that before. Good point.

[horsie63]

I spent a lot of time on the phone with Baxter...learned a few tricks that made things easier. Unfortunately it still failed. I'm wondering if I was allergic to the solution.

[Bassetmommer]

I have heard it is a pretty simple procedure. They keep thinking I may need one. I am to the point where I am self-cannulating. I was amazed at how easy and actually less painful when I do it myself than the med tech. And I am using sharps. The balloon will make it easier for whoever does your needles to be successful.

[nowthen]

I had the procedure done about year after I started using it which I was told is a common issue it's all done thru a needle personally I didn't feel anything

[horsie63]

It was an interesting day Mon the docs scheduler called and said "Wed at 1pm and someone will call with details" No call so I went in only with what I'd found out here and on the web. So off we go on Wed at noon to be there at 1. Halfway there I get a call...."we've been looking for you, They show you logged in at 10:30, which is when you should be here for a 1 pm procedure" What?! I could not have logged in as I was not physically there, I'm in a car on my way.

When we get there I check in and asked if they were still going to do the procedure? Yes, we'll call you over when they are ready. 15 min later I get all checked in and taken to Radiology.

In Radiology they did an ultrasound of my fistula/arm area and the doctor came in and looked at it and decided I did need an fistulagram and sent me to surgery prep area. Several nurses came over and started hooking me up, the specialist came to give me the IV as they have trouble finding my vein and just have her do it. One the nurses who asked me questions was not happy I was getting a fistulagram as she didn't think I needed it but doc says so.

Since they were doing a scan with contrast and I'm allergic to iodine (Graves Disease) they had to give me a steriod and 100 mg of Benadryl with another at 50 grams...and ho boy did that affect me. They had to give me one of those wet stick things as it totally dried my mouth out.

Then they took me into surgery and gave me something to relax me and out I went. Woke up sometime later with 2 bandages on my fistula arm, the IV out. and went home a little later. First thing I did was get a coffee and something to eat as I was starving.

Like most people said it didn't hurt cause I was out. I can take to bandages off but haven't yet. I also plan to log into the portal and see if there's more info than on these discharge papers. I'm supposed to follow up with the doc who did it, who was not my surgeon, but no call from them. I'm not sure if I go back to my surgeon to get the "Okay to use" paperwork for my center. Not looking forward to that.

[horsie63]

Seems my fistula has low flow and today at dialysis the nurse couldn’t hear or feel it. Monday I’ll call the surgeon and find out what to do. All of that for nothing.

[horsie63]

Since my fistula seems to be dead now the surgeon's office called Wed and is scheduling me for Apr 1 to put in an AV Graft in my upper arm. Sounds painful put they put you to sleep to do it. So it's one more surgery since I started dialysis...think I'm up to 10 now. I hate when a new doc asks how many surgeries, hell I've lost count.

They are supposed to be sending paperwork with instructions but they said that last time too and I got nada. At least the last couple I wasn't a patient in the hospital. For those interested I'll keep you posted.

[1EPXiii]

I had at least three of those in my 71/2 years of HD. They use some anaesthetic so I have to get rides from the dialysis center. They are so necessary to retain good access.. believe me 7 and a half years of the D Party!

[1EPXiii]

I've had at least three fistulagrams in 8 years! I got through it pretty well all things considered. My access is so IMPORTANT!