My cousin's husband has been on dialysis since November through a temporary vein in his neck. They were able to use the fistula in his arm for the first time this week. It's extremely difficult for him though because it's very very painful. Is this normal? The nurse reassured him that it was. He's alarmed though and wonders if he has this to look forward to for as long as he's on dialysis. He asked if they could just continue using the line in his neck but they said the risk of infection was too great.

He is also bleeding profusely afterwards is this normal? His arm is bruised from the pressure they've had to use to stop the bleeding.

Will the pain eventually go away? His vein is also very hard and has bumps up the length of it...is this normal?

Thank you for any help! Oh and they're both wondering if kidney disease/dialysis predisposes a man to infertility.

Kelly