My 14 year-old Fistula
Fistula, showing surgery scar, site relocation scar tissue and aneurisms from constant needling.
Healthy dialysis techniques for people whose kidneys have let them down
My 14 year-old Fistula
Fistula, showing surgery scar, site relocation scar tissue and aneurisms from constant needling.
Thanks for posting your photo. Is your fistula considered healthy?
I had my fistula put in in April 2010. It seemed as if dialysis was imminent, but it is now January 2011 and my kidney function is 13% and seems to be staying at that level. My question is, what happens to a fistula if it doedn’t get used right away? Susan Baker
Hi Susan. Unlike most things that fade away with no use, fistulas grow a little each year. The pressure of the arterial blood in the vein gradually expands the vein so that it becomes big enough to be used as a fistula. Most surgeons tell their patients to wait at least 3 months before using the fistula. My nephrologist organised for me to have my fistula 12 months before I needed it. I appreciated doing it so early, because I had time to get used to it before it was used, and it had time to grow. So yours will be fine. Greg
I had mine put in 2 years before we used it. Every time we went to see any of the doctors they all would say how beautiful it was .. even asked why i wasn’t using it ..