So this is 7 hours after my plex, at the IV site, where the needles went in, and where they put the brown stuff in a circle to disenfect the area is very red, and kid of stings. More so on my left arm, which was the main arm, the right was just return, to its not messed up as bad, but yet, it usually isnt red...
any ideas?

Hi Tyson,

so do they always use the same stuff to disenfect??? or did they use something different?
If so it could be an alergic reaction, or it could be an infection, might be a good idea to ring the hospital and talk to one of the nurses that was involved in the process, as they would know, and could advise you.

Ditto on what Kate said.

Some people are allergic to iodine, which is what they often use in those antiseptics. Have you washed the area?

If you see any evidence of what looks like a "line" going any where from either site/arm, you need to go in immediately. And I mean that very second. I've had bacteremia/blood poisoning from an IV. Not fun and very dangerous, especially for someone with MG. It can lead to sepsis quite quickly and go directly to your heart.

If you start to notice any pain running up either arm, ditto.
If you have pain in your shoulder or chest, go in.
If you feel chilled at all, same thing.
If you have any kind of fever, again, go in.

The signs of bacteremia can be very subtle and you have to be vigilant about looking for them, especially because you are immune suppressed.

And in case it's an allergic reaction, if it starts to itch a lot, go in. An allergic reaction to something so relatively minor like an antiseptic is serious. And if you get hives, they may show up on other places on your body! If you notice an itch any where on your body, look at it. And then go in.

Geez, you can't buy a break lately. I hope you get better. Please be careful tonight. Call your doctor if you have to.

Annie

Allergy to iodine containing antiseptics like Betadine can occur at any time. Some people develop reactions after repeated exposures.

The only way to test this is to apply some of the "brown stuff" to another skin area and see if it gets red also. If not, then I'd consider infection. Infections typically get HOT. (hotter than an allergic reaction). Allergies are confined to the skin, and infections go deeper and create more inflammation which is HOT and may throb.

If you rub on some Benadryl lotion, it may help if allergic.

Kate- Yes theyve used the same thing every time. But the redness has gone down quite a lot, its only a little red on one side...
Thx for ur concern.

Annie- Could you depict what you mean by 'line'? hopefully its nothing, yet just wanting to make sure.

im having discomfort in my right forarm, which is the return arm that wasnt as red..but its only every once in a while its not constant


but i wouldnt call it pain, except for the stomach pains..

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