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I Am On Dialysis

I have been on dialysis for four years now. Three times a week for four hours. It's no fun. It hurts. They say you get used to the needles but you dont. I tried home dialysis but my lunsure kept filling with fluid so had to stop that. In public it can be a pain because people can be so rude when they see all the needle marks in my arm and make rude comments about being a drugie.

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comfi1 · 61-69, M

I am on dialysis almost 10 years and I am used to the needles,though not everyone does. Have you been offered a numbing cream?

Randat1967 · 56-60, F

They went from a cream that worked to a spray that does'nt. I've complained but it does not do any good. Of course it does not help when there are a couple of nurses that miss and have to move the needle around to find the vain.

comfi1 · 61-69, M

I know what missing the vein is like. Luckily the staff at my unit are really good and rarely miss. That said my fistula is quite large but old and has thick walls.

Randat1967 · 56-60, F

Yes mine is well developed and I don't understand how they can miss.

comfi1 · 61-69, M

I sometimes have to guide nurses who haven't needled my fistula for a while,or ever if they are relatively new to the unit.