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Please help

Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2004 5:51 am
by Maria
Hi all

My name is Maria, just joined the site. I have had my fistula done recently, my hand keeps on getting pins and needles specially when asleep and going numb. Does any one else have this problem , as i am getting worried some thing must be wrong. Please let me know.

I am also do to go for my CAPD operation shortly, and do not know that to expect. I have been told to lose weight , as my phosates and pottasium is very high. Please has anyone got any diets sheets to help me.

You all take care of yourselves.

Thanks alot.

Maria

Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2004 1:46 am
by Blaine
Hi Maria,

Hand tingling is a known side effect of the fistula. In order to make the fistula, they connected an artery directly to a vein, which is "short circuiting" some of the blood flow to your hand. You need to tell your medical people about it to see what they can do to help.

When they did my fistula I expected to have that tingling in my hand, but so far, I have not had it. Another side effect is having a cold hand. There are also some others, but I forget what they are.

I have never had a CAPD catheter inserted, so I cannot help you here. I'm sure one of the other people who has had that experience will post an answer for you.

Good luck. Please join in the discussions, and be sure to post your own progress. I will be looking for it.
Blaine :)

Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2004 7:15 am
by George
Hi Maria, sorry to hear your having problems, but please don't panic. I too had a fistula constructed on Feb 24th this year, I am now on dialysis and doing well, in fact i'm now back to full time working.

I have had tingles and cramps in my hand, my consultant thought much of the cramping was due to low calcium, I had my Alfacalcidol increased to 1 mg and now i'm fine. The tingling has subsided but I still have a numbness at the bottom of my thumb, the top two parts of my thumb are fine. I hope all goes well, but if your phrosphate is up your calcium is likely to be down.

Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2004 2:10 pm
by Andy
Hi Maria,
I had my CAPD catheter put in under general anasthetic although I know im some places they do put it in under local anasthetic. I suffered quite a bit with my CAPD catherter but I think it was due to my very ill state at the time any way.
My friend had his CAPD catheter put in under local anasthetic and he was a bit uncomfortable for a few days after.
Having a catheter put in will not be easy because you will be unsure of what to expect, but just remember to take it easy after having it placed and give it time to heal.

Cheers
Andy

CAPD Catheter

Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2004 3:28 pm
by R30
Hi Maria
I had my CAPD catheter installed just two week's ago under a general anaesthetic. Basically, I was supposed to have local anaesthesia but was too jumpy for them to consider this. Next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery. This was my first operation and it was fine. I discharged myself the same night (op finished at 4pm!) much to the amazement of the renal nurses (I wanted to recoup at home in peace). Since then, my catheter has healed well and I have been taught CAPD in the last week. Trust me - it's fine. The fluid takes some getting used to as you are basically holding 2kg of fluid that's not meant to be there, but I am only draining in 1700mls at the moment as I can't take anymore.
On the plus side - this means that I now have to buy a new wardrobe as my work trousers no longer fit! Every cloud and all that...
You may also experience some pain with your first dialysis sessions in your bladder (I certainly have), and this is something you can rectify by using the clamp on your catheter (the nurses will explain this to you). Provided you keep everything clean and sterile you should have no problems.
Cheers!
Ruth

Diet

Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2004 5:35 pm
by Hal
Hi Maria,

A lot of people have answered your questions regarding tingling and CAPD, so I thought I would answer about diet - you mentioned high phosphates and potassium.

Firstly, have you been referred to a dietician ? If you haven't, please ask to see one. They can give you advice specific to your situation.

In addition, here are some web sites with diet advice and recipies:
http://www.ikidney.com/iKidney/Lifestyles/default.htm
http://www.kidneywise.com/community/lif ... /index.asp
http://www.kidneywise.com/community/lif ... /index.asp

If you have any specific questions, please ask and we will help.

Best wishes,

Hal