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renalweb.groupee.net RenalWEB Discussion Forums A Forum for Patients and Care Givers Patient-Centered Dialysis Care chest catheterModerators: Michael Williams
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| <Michael Williams>
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Hi:
I think the nurses are being a bit irresponsible if they say chances of infection is great. Of course, you have to take measures to ward off chances of infection, but I used one for years without any problems. Scroll down to topic tited "Resume Normal Activities Like Showering With A Catheter." It was a lively discussion and may hold some information for you. Best, Mike [This message has been edited by Michael Williams (edited 04-11-2004).] |
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| <KMCW>
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Dear Mike,
Thank you for the encouraging reply. However, I found out today that he will be undergoing the surgery this Thursday to create the fistula anyway. His heart only functions at 25% capacity and his arm is very thin. Needless to say I am quite worried that the surgery might be more than he can handle. Can you tell me what your thoughts are on this? His heart doctor is hesitant but says go ahead with it. |
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It could be just luck or maybe it's good care but my father doesn't have good veins for a fistula and we have been useing a catheter for 3-1/2 years with no infections. We also do nocturnal dialysis so the site is used 5 nights a week.
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I also had a chest catheter for nearly a year and heard all the discouraging commentary about chest catheters, but I had no problems with mine and even learned to shower with one! The trick was to buy a small head hand-held unit that could be more precisely aimed.
While, statistically there may be more problems with chest catheters, I would say that this depends to great degree on the cleanliness of the patient and the environment they work/live in. It was always my feeling that the nurses overstated the potential for problems. I always kind of liked the catheter because: 1) I didn't have to get stuck 2) I didn't have to worry about getting my site infiltrated. 3) I didn't have to wait to clot off On the other hand: 1) I couldn't very well soak in a hot tub (something I always liked to do) 2) I had to be very careful doing anything very physical. |
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I must say I agree that the nurses do seem a little to quick to say that the catheter in the chest is HIGH risk for infection. They have been pushing and pushing and pushing me to get a fistula saying that I am HIGH risk .. yet I have had not even ONE scare for the 9 months I have had mine so far. Yet they have PUSHED me to get a fistula and went ahead and made an appointment FOR me. My first fistula FAILED and raised my pulse to 150 .. but for THAT they did NOTHING. Makes you wonder ... Anyway... I now have a 2nd fistula since they went ahead and made a 2nd appointment for me as soon as my first one failed. They say I am at HIGH risk for infection because I have a catheter that goes to my heart for dialysis AND because the reason I had to switch from Peritoneal Dialysis to Hemo is because of Peritonitis. BUT!! I was on PD when I was 16 .. no problems ... I was on PD this time around for 4 years .. before I had any problems! Oh yes .. high risk ... ya right! Then when I did get peritonitis is was a real bad case but they told me it was not caused by me but they can't even tell me what the heck the cause was. Their answer? Go to hemo cuz we don't know if you will get another infection on PD. Then the whole time on HD they are telling me I am HIGH risk for infection. Me? The one who never gets sick. Didn't get any infections at all for 4 years on PD. The one who's catheter has worked infection-free and trouble-free (lines don't even need to be reversed cept for one time near the beginning) for 10 months now .. but oooh I am HIGH risk. Do what you feel is best for YOU. Research on the net. Ask questions. But NEVER take anyone's word for ANYTHING. Make up your OWN mind. That is what I have to say about that. Oh ya .. and also many patients CAN'T have fistulas and they do just fine. I know of a few. Also I know of one patient's sister who also was on dialysis who had 4 fistulas on one arm and 3 on the other before she finally put her foot down and said no more. And her catheter is just fine. - Angie CAPD - 2 mths 1990 Transplant - 11 years 1990 - 2001 CCPD - 4 years 2001 - 2005 Hemo - 9+ months 2005 - present |
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My heart goes out to you Angie, I know exactly how your feeling, but the staff stress the risk because compared to the fistula or peritoneal, a cathadar's risk is quite higher.
While we have the right to take extra risks with our health, the doctors and nurses don't, they have to make decisions with the worse case in mind. If there was evidence that wearing pointed hats durning treatment made us healthyer then docs would tell us to wear pointy hats. There is a greater chance of infection with cathaters so they stress fistulas, for them to do any less would be a disservus to us. Good luck with your new fistula and don't let the staff's persistance about things get to ya to much.  Life is not about what we get, its about what we give. |
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They just started to use my fistula last week. They started with the 17 gauage and this wed they will start with 15 gauge and I am nervous because I am told that is a LOT bigger  So far tho it does seem to be goign well.
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