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Fistula needling and nerve pain

Posted: Mon May 29, 2017 10:32 pm
by Daisy4246
Hi
My fistula has been used for a month now and not mature. At first, my line and fistula were used and now I have had 3 good uses of 2 needles.
However on one occasion a needle seemed to hit a nerve and caused a sharp pain, enough to bring tears to my eyes. Then 2 needles after that were very painful. After that l have been ok with Emla. Not ready to do without Emla.
Today l think the same place was needled again and like before it hurt while in so l told the nurse to take it out. Problem is the correct 2 needles really hurt again even with Emla. Once in it was fine.
I'm thinking that it hits a nerve which then causes the whole length of the fistula to be raw/painful. Next time l will tell them to avoid that place.
Does anyone know anything about this? Dealing with the unknown in CKD is very challenging.

Re: Fistula needling and nerve pain

Posted: Tue May 30, 2017 4:37 pm
by wagolynn
What may be happening is they are damaging the blood vessel from the inside.

I have not come across anyone who had nerves hit, though it is not impossible, one problem with pain is we tend to remember it and therefore anticipate it.

The best thing is to find some form of distraction, something else to concentrate on.

The anaesthetic cream, from what I have seen, appears to be very hit, and miss.

I think, mostly because it tends to be applied at the wrong time (see the instructions packed with it).

Re: Fistula needling and nerve pain

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 9:16 am
by JMan
I'd talk to the access nurse and ask for a fistulagram.. Most hospitals can scan where the vessels ARE, and where the nerves are NOT.

Needles shouldn't be more than a sharp scratch and it may be a case of changing angle, depth.

If you've got pain shooting down, or up the arm, the needle IS hitting a wall of the fistula.
If the pain prolongs AFTER treatment, then something needs to be done.

Hope you can take some positive action with the team and get good dialysis.

Also have a read, http://esrdncc.org/ffcl/for-ffcl-patien ... materials/

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Dialysis/P ... ormed.aspx

Fistula Fanatic:
Facebook page for better fistula care:

https://www.facebook.com/purplechick820?fref=nf


Best

J

Re: Fistula needling and nerve pain

Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 2:35 pm
by Daisy4246
Thanks for your comments and suggestions.

Re: Fistula needling and nerve pain

Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2017 7:51 am
by karnene
Hi. I hope you have managed to sort out the problems with your fistula. It really does sound like you may need your fistula scanned and an access appointment. Discomfort can be due to the needle hitting the wall of the fistula. Sometimes the needle needs turning. Or the fistula may still be very shallow. Or there could be a narrowing in the fistula causing discomfort.