Fistula needling and nerve pain

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Daisy4246
Posts: 44
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2016 6:12 pm

Fistula needling and nerve pain

Post 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.
wagolynn
Posts: 1362
Joined: Thu May 23, 2013 2:49 pm

Re: Fistula needling and nerve pain

Post 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).
JMan
Posts: 3471
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2004 10:21 am
Location: Lives in a slightly weird bit of Shropshire called Telford!

Re: Fistula needling and nerve pain

Post 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
"Dialysis! What is this? The dark ages!"
L. 'Bones' McCoy, ST"
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Daisy4246
Posts: 44
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2016 6:12 pm

Re: Fistula needling and nerve pain

Post by Daisy4246 »

Thanks for your comments and suggestions.
karnene
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2017 7:41 am

Re: Fistula needling and nerve pain

Post 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.
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