TO THE MEDICINE? Really, I drink or try to about 1-2 quarts extra the day before a blood draw or infusions...It really helps the veins pop up for attacking? Not to mention, you feel full and slosh w/every step and have to go use 'facililties' 3 times more often than normal?
My IV nurses, hospital, dr's office, now home...ALL try the hand, wrists and forearms to tap into veins rather than that 'elbow'. This is good because you get a little teeny scar with each puncture...Scars make it harder to get into one 'site' at a later date. Folks who have had lots of IVIG for years and years are like cancer patients, they get ports inserted intheir chests...kind of a venous plug-in is the best way of putting it. YOU are a long way from that, I am as well [and I've had the IVIG for 3-1/2 years...and wondering?] IF the home nurse can't do it anywhere but at the elbow...talk to your prescribing doc about that...You need a really good IV trained nurse who CAN do it.

I agree w/Kmeb about the heat...I use a warm cloth heated in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds...My veins 'roll' well too! I had an IV nurse who'd take a surgical glove they wear and fill it w/water [like a water balloon?] nuke it and apply it...Hospitals and some others use break open heat paks...I don't think they're needed.

Really, the key factor I've found that gets that 'line' into me, and keeps side effects at bay has been not only the pre-meds but mostly that WATER issue. Get that stuff into you for preparations! Things go much smoother with it than without it! - j

Also, think of it another way? You will need that elbow vein for 'emergencies'...in such instances, they aren't gonna try and take the time to get it in the hand or wrist....Save it for when it's really needed...tho we all hope that's never the case!