Pros & Cons

If you are going to be on dialysis for a while I suggest an AV Fistula. There is less that can go wrong with it. However, not everyone can get an AV Fistula. There can be issues with the veins or artery. I don’t know enough about this to comment on it so rather chat to your doctor or surgeon.

As promised in my previous post here are some of the pros and cons of the permcath and AV Fistula.

Permcath:

+ It can be used almost immediately.

+ You are not getting stuck by big needles every dialysis session.

+ Operation is done under local anesthetic and is relatively quick.

- You will have two pipes sticking out of your chest.

- You cannot get it wet.

- It is very easily infected.

AV Fistula

+ Operation is done under local anesthetic and is relatively quick.

+ It is not that noticeable.

+ You can swim and get it wet.

+ Less prone to infection.

- Takes six weeks to mature enough to use it.

- You get stuck by very big needles every dialysis session

There are also other options like grafts and peritoneal dialysis. Grafts I have no idea about as I have never had one done but I did do peritoneal dialysis for a few months and will tell you about that in a new post, so watch this space.

Until then, God Bless.