Tyson, I'm adding this: Septicemia/sepsis is something you can die from - and quickly. I'm not trying to be an alarmist but I am concerned. You didn't have these symptoms before when you had plasma, right? When in doubt, GO IN.

If you took a red pencil and drew a line on your arm, it would look something like that! Any kind of red line (straight, crisscross, jagged), that appears it wants to move upward (towards your heart), is something to go in about.

Bacteremia/Septicemia/Blood Poisoning/Cellulitis: I love how there are more than one name for something in medicine, making it confusing for patients. All of those things basically mean that there is an infection in the blood stream and/or skin that needs medical care.

The reason I didn't mention "home care" stuff like Mrs. D did is because you are not doing well right now and you are immune suppressed. You might "trick yourself" into thinking it's okay when it's not. Clues can be far more subtle when you are on something like Pred.

When I had my infection, I had a red line coming from the area the IV going up my left arm. I also had cellulitis, an area of redness around my wrist area. The doctor took one look, said you have a serious infection here's an antibiotic. Shortest doctor appt. ever. It should've been IV antibiotics. I had pain up my arm, into my chest.

When did you start having stomach pains?! Can you describe that? Contrary to what drug companies would have you believe, ulcers are mainly caused by infection. If I were you, I'd be on the phone calling your doctor telling them ALL of this. Symptoms that may not seem related can be.

And it doesn't matter if it's the return arm or the receiving arm!! Infection can begin anywhere.

Please keep an eye on symptoms and go in if they get worse.

Annie