Morning all
Well starting dialysis has eventually arrived and everything is in place and ready to begin.
My main worry at the moment is the dialysis needles. I can inject myself and have done for a while now but am apprehensive re the larger needles needed for a fistula.
Has anyone any advice that might help to make the experience a better one?
Yours Hopefully,
Margaret
Hi Margaret
The fear of the unknown is the worst fear. If you already inject yourself, you are a braver person than me! So.. your first dialysis :
An experienced needle will do this the first time. Your fistula will be soft. Depending on your unit, they often freeze the sites with a small injection of lignocaine. This stings like a bugger and is the worst bit-over in seconds. Some units just put needles straight in-again a small scratch. Once they are in place you should feel no pain. If you do, tell someone straight away. The new, soft fistula can 'blow' where the vein tears a little, causing blood to leak into your arm and cause swelling and pain . This may happen a couple of times but the more your fistula is needled, the stronger it gets. It might not happen at all. Smaller needles are used initially ( still big ha) and dialysis will be gentle.
Secondly , if you feel unwell: sick, dizzy or feel cramps anywhere, again, tell someone quickly. Your blood pressure can drop on dialysis and nurses may give you an infusion of Saline (water) to cure it.
Once you are stable and settled into a routine , you may want to put your own needles in! Trust me-if you do, you'll never look back 😊
Good luck, I hope it all goes well x
Thanks Nicolala,
Your words were really helpful.....have just got back from my first try....unfortunately, it 'blew' as you described so we're trying again tomorrow.....
Freezing the arm worked really well and I hardly felt it at all.....they also used the smallest needles to begin with.....
You're right about fear of the unknown....don't feel too bad about going back tomorrow now I know what to expect....
Best wishes, Margaret
Can I ask what is your egfr when you are starting dialysis please
I don't really know the answer to be honest . when I first started dialysis , back in 1990 kidney disease wasn't really measured in stages or gfr. Or at least it wasn't shared information . It was mostly urea and creatinine focused . I actually still had some function when I started , I'd had renal vein thrombosis and other complications , so it was the best way to stablise my condition .
There will be newer members here who can give you a better reply -I suspect it varies from person to person .
How is dialysis going ?
Mine is egfr 5 but when you start depends on your symptoms too so everyone is different.
Hi Nicholala
Dialysis is going well when it works. ...have had 2 good sessions so far...
Unfortunately I keep getting sent home as my fistula seems hard to find and when they do find it it clots and bruises. They have told me it needs to 'harden up' as it's new and will work in time....
They use plenty of lidocaine so its not too painful....
Feeling positive about it though as I feel I'm in good hands. ..
I'm glad you're still feeling positive . It's not always easy. I'm on my 3rd fistula , which is 16 years old. Having a few problems with it now, partly because of its age and partly due to calcification , a side effect of long term dialysis. It frustrates me so much!
Hi there
Thought I'd just let you know I did my own needles for the first time yesterday. So pleased.....
It's been an eventful few weeks...had stenosis and had to have one of those balloon things to widen it before my fistula worked properly.....
Have a date to start at home in the new year so well happy......
Thanks for all your advice,
Hoping you're doing OK....
Have a fun holiday season....
Margaret
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