Kidney Patient Guide

Really?
I get that with my fistula. The worst is at night when I lean on my hand, or if my ear is on the arm of the leather sofa, and my arm is touching it, it's like hearing bass through earphones. It can be annoying and it can be interesting.

rheaybou wrote:No fistula for me, I have a vein on my temple that stands out when BP is high.....its my work based warning for people with bad news/stupid questions!

Lol.. I had a boss like that. I used to think it was going to burst.

I'm not sure that I will get a pet within the foreseeable future. I was more concerned about when I go 'home.'
I might settle for something in a tank though. So long as it's not something that could directly or indirectly pass the likes of salmonella onto me.

Does anyone else with a fistula in your arm find it feels a little sore/uncomfortable when you're stressed?
That happens to me.

As far as I am aware, here in Scotland, all prescriptions are free, apart from some ultra expensive cancer drugs.

Travel home at weekends is near impossible as it's not far off 200 miles over sea and land.

I guess I'll get used to it. But still I'd like some wee creature to look after. I might get a Tamagotchi.

amanda in CA wrote:Would home haemo. Be an option for you?

No. Apparently not.
Even if it was, I'd still have to move away for a period of time to train, as I am very remote and isolated.

Are their any pets you find are or are not suitable for someone on dialysis? I have two dogs and some part time cats. I have to move away from 'home' to be nearer a unit, so the pets will stay at 'home' with my family while I live alone. I understand hygiene is important, but I will miss my family a...

Regarding energy:

I understand that for many, if not all Haemodialysis patients, the first few weeks or months can be stressful on the body itself.

What are other peoples experience of this?

Thanks for asking this question as I'm in the same position and a scaredy cat at the thought of dialysis which will start at the end of this month/early august. Its such a big life change and out of my control which being a control freak isn't easy! Good luck and lets hope that within a few weeks w...

Hi I have been on heamodialysis for 3 years and did not have to go to hospital as and in patient when I started. I imagine this would only happen if you were very unwell. My mobility has not been effected by dialysis and I have no problems with the stairs in my home. Hope all goes well when you sta...

My fistula is probably mature now, so haemodialysis is imminent.

When you start for the first time, do you go to hospital as an inpatient and if so, then how long?

Also, a question someone asked me... does it affect your mobility much in the early stages? i.e can you still use stairs etc?

I have just come back from the doctor and got a splint. Apparently a lot of my pain is my vein growing and putting up with a great deal of pressure. I did wake-up in the wee small hours in agony. I got more Tramadol to take. I think I take one 50mg roughly every 6 - 8 hours depending on how I feel.

I do get them from time to time, but have been feeling a little worse since my AV Fistula on the side of my wrist.

Are these pains a known symptom of CKD and if so, can you tell me of your experience?

as I am about to "go in" for a fistula formation, I am now not "allowed" to have blood taken from my arms - has to be my hands, had blood taken yesterday and have only got a small bruise! I'm in a similar position, but was just asked to save my left arm and hand from injections ...