My life with dialysis and kidney disease
Archive for December, 2005
Today I Did Both
Dec 7th
Well today was the day.
I decided today that I was going to do both needle sticks myself today, and I did. I was a little worried at first about doing the venous stick, because it is typically the stick that the techs have trouble with. That, and it is one I usually "feel" more than the arterial stick, which I rarely feel at all.
Well, I lined up on the arterial stick, and slid it right in.
After the arterial stick was taped up, I took a deep breath, and advanced the other needle.
It slid right in, and while I did feel it, I didn’t feel it the same way I usually do. I think it’s true what they say about self cannulation - you’re paying so much attention to cannulating that needle, that you don’t feel the pain of it. While I still felt it, it was a much different feeling, and not painful in the way it usually is.
The stick was fine, and I am now officially self-cannulating. What a feeling to know I can put myself on. I suddenly have less fear about traveling, and treatment in general.
I don’t have a lot of bad sticks, but when I do have one, I seem to remember it for a long time. I have now at least removed the variable that is most responsible for this: the person sticking. Now if there is a problem, I am the only one to blame.
Next stop: Buttonhole Technique
Today I Finally Did It
Dec 2nd
I’ve been reading now for awhile about self cannulation (sticking yourself at treatment). I’ve been trying to build up the courage to do it for over a year now, but just haven’t seriously followed through on it. Well after reading recently on the dialysis_support group about buttonhole technique, and the advantages of "one sticker" on a fistula, I decided that it was time to seriously think about beginning to stick myself. There is only one PCT (Patient Care Technician) at our clinic that I trust to stick me. Others do it because he is not always there, but still, there is only one who has always done a good job. There are two others who are also good, but always cause more pain, or hematoma later.
After traveling around a bit and having experience in other clinics, I’ve realized how GREAT the techs are at our clinic. This has been my thinking for a long time. If only I could stick myself, I wouldn’t have to worry about "bad" sticks anymore. Or, at least I would have nobody to blame but myself.
It’s a bit tricky though, to psyche yourself up to sticking a 15 gauge needle into your own arm. It’s not like an insulin shot or something similar that’s sub-cutaneous, this is an intravenous stick, and has to be fairly precise and controlled. Not to mention I have about 900 sticks on my fistula already, so I’ve developed a pretty thick layer of scar tissue in some areas (feels sometimes like you need a hammer to get the needle through).
Well today was the day. As I drove into the clinic today I decided that I was going to really seriously think about probably maybe actually sticking myself today. I don’t think I actually believed it until I was in the chair. I spoke with my tech about it, and he told me the same things I had read: insert the needle at a 25 degree angle until you see a "flash" of blood in the tube, then level the needle out and advance it (slowly) into the vein.
So I basically just grabbed the needle, got in a position where I could "work" comfortably, and then shoved that sucker in there…. nice and slow.
I have to tell you, there was absolutely no pain, and no problem.
I’m sort of happy now that I know I can do it. This means that while traveling I can stick myself and no longer worry about who the heck is doing it.
I can also seriously consider establishing buttonhole sites, which from what I have read is healthier in the long term for the fistula. Before establishing buttonhole, or "constant" sites, I will need to get more comfortable with sticking myself, but I am still excited to know that I at least have the ability to stick myself. Even if I don’t pursue buttonhole sites, I will have removed the variable of "who".
It really was quite a walk in the park, and I would offer encouragement to anyone thinking about pursuing this.
