Does anyone wear a watch on their AVF arm?

[Snowcountry]

Most written texts state that you can no longer wear a watch on your AV Fistula wrist, The basis being that no tight pressure should be applied, at the wrist or further up the arm.

I asked my nephrologist and his opinon was that tight watch bands are completely out of the question. But a loose one, such as a NATO strap, Silicone, etc might be possible but it would be the patient's own choice. He pointed out that many doctors simply give a blanket "no".

So my question is; are there any hemodialysis patitients here with an AV Fistula who wear a watch on their fistula arm?

[TomMilds]

Hi, Snowcountry

I don't wore watches even before dialysis. After fistula surgery doctors did recommended avoid using this hand for blood pressure control, lifting high weights, and any traumas. I don't want to check my luck with it.

[Bassetmommer]

No I wear my stone stretchy band watch on my other arm.

[PuggyWuggy]

Hi Snowcountry,

Even though I had my transplant almost 19 years go, my nephrologist told me that I cannot have anything done above the wrist on the arm where I had my fistula. No blood draws, no blood pressures, etc. She said I can have blood drawn from the veins on my hand, but phlebotomist are always afraid and reluctant to even do that. I had never heard about not wearing a watch. I guess I can see where it would be a problem if the watch is tight.

[Snowcountry in reply to PuggyWuggy]

Thank you. I got all those warnings too. Plus more.

[PeaB4YouGo]

I wear my watch 24/7 on the arm with the fistula. I haven't caught too much flak over it, except once, when I was receiving my first few treatments. It's not tight and moves around easily. One factor to consider is where your fistula is. Mine is, basically, on my left bicep. I imagine, if my fistula were lower, like on my forearm, it would make wearing a watch more of a problem.

[Snowcountry in reply to PeaB4YouGo]

Thank you. So your AV Fistula is located above your elbow?

[PeaB4YouGo]

Yeah. It's called Brachio-Cephalic AVF. Check my past posts for pics!