Medical question

[luvwinnie]

When techs/doctors, etc. have a very hard time inserting IV lines after someone has been through chronic illness for years...what does it indicate? Are the veins collapsing or too narrow? Thank you.

 

[mrsmom]

I am not sure but my dd now 10 has chonic health problems and when they go to put an IV in her it takes along time to find one, they have told me the veins are collaped. if you stretch her skin out on the top of her hands or feet toy see all the iv marks.
Kim

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Have they tried to use a pediatric line on the adult. They had to do this for my sister alot. I didnt see it but the lady next to me was getting prepped for surgery and they couldnt do her either. They had to call in a 2nd tech and after about the 10th try I think they finally got it. My heart went out to her. She really went through alot of pain.

 

[luvwinnie]

I'll have to ask about that. Thanks.

 

[Disney Doll]

Generally, if it happens in a person who has had years of chronic illness which probably means they have had multiple IV sites, then their veins are probably sclerosed(hardened...sort of like scarred)from being poked many times. This makes it harder to get IVs in, harder to find a good "spot" to put one. Often, when a person gets into this predicament, they have to have some type of longer term IV access insrted...there are IVs now that can stay in for weeks, and some folks who KNOW they are going to be in for a period of time where they will have multiple IVs (such as a cancer patient starting chemo)will get an IV access port inserted into their chest wall which can just be accessed with one stick each time they need it.

Other folks have thin vein walls, veins that roll, veins that have a lot of valves(which are harder to get through) and any number of other things. IVs are a fairly hard skill to master. Picture putting a needle into a very thin tube(that you can't see since it's under the skin) without having it burst through the other side.

 

[Aimeedyan]

On Tuesday, I had my second Remicade infusion and it took 4 stabs and digging before finally finding a vein that would hold my IV. Talk about painful... I am now bruised and sore in 4 diff spots.

They told me that I don't drink enough water... I have been very ill for a few months, lost 40 pounds in 2 months from not eating, etc. so it didn't surprise me they struggled.

Next time I have an infusion, in about 3 weeks, they said to drink tons of water before coming in. They've also found its better to just stick me where you usually draw blood, in the crook of your elbow area... those were the only veins that would cooperate, though I have to sit with my arm straight for hours. =(

NOt sure if that helps...

 

[luvwinnie]

Thank you! Aimeedyan, do you have RA? I have psoriatic arthritis.

My mom does have a catheter in her chest because her dialysis graft failed and they are trying to use the cath...but THAT is a problem too. Vascular surgeon said it was the HARDEST one he has ever had to do.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Ive had the same thing happen- Ive been medically dependant all my life (preemie then cancer then cancer again then stroke) and I finally just have a IV port that I get replaced about twice a year as they were just running out of good places to IV me. Plus Im able to do all my liquid drugs that way instead of having to play find a place to stick every day...

gotta love modern medicine--

-em

 

[Alex]

inserting IV's is one of those things. It can be taught, so it is a science but some people are just much better at it than others. Disney Doll made an excellent list of all the reasons it can be difficult. Our rule always was 2 tries (by the same person) and then give someone else a chance. If the same person kept trying I think I would ask for someone different.

 

[Kermit]

I always have bad veins. They're tiny and they roll, so I tell the person trying to stick me before they start. A lot of times I scare people who haven't been doing it long and they don't even try. They call for someone else who's been doing it longer. Almost everybody will feel horrible if they have to stick you more than once, so they won't get into something over their head. I've met a few people with big egos who didn't want to take advice from me (I don't have medical training, but they are my veins), but that doesn't happen often.

I agree that drowning yourself with water will help. Grape juice is actually a little bit better, but I rarely remember to buy it before I'm going to have bloodwork.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I have Crohn's Disease... i know Remicade is also used for RA. Its a miracle drug for me... SOOOOOOOOOOOOO expensive, but a miracle.

I should note that I had 2 nurses try, then call another nurse from another office and she came up and she did it twice and got the last one to work. She was obviously more capable of dealing with problems. I am going to request they call her the next time as well LOL

I'll drink some grape juice, too! Thanks for the tip!