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

No ive never had the symptoms after, and i feel very tired as well.

Im not in any pain right now, so im not sure what it is...Yet i took a picture so maybe you can take a look at it.

my arms are also very weak, and ive hardly done anything today.

Stomach pains are intermittent, so they come and go, since this morning.

Maybe this picture can help ease some concern..

Hey sweetie! Annie is sooooo right! When in doubt, check it out! Seriously!


I would call in ASAP and explain what is going on.

Plasma exchange has NEVER worked for me - only made me more tired and cranky. After this last one I was swollen for months - and I mean SWOLLEN to the point where my ankles/feet were as big as my thighs - it was AWFUL! Plus I was exhausted ALL of the time.

I will NEVER have it done again - EVER!

Take care of yourself sweetheart! You are my son's age so it really scares me when you have these sorts of problems.

Don't take ANYTHING for granted. Fever, pains, anything....

Hope you feel better soon!

Love,
Erin

Thanks Erin- the redness has completely gone away, so im not sure what happened, but it seemed to have passed.

I wont take any pains or anything for granted, yet im super tired today, it might just be a little angry with my body and decided to show up in that way..


Its weird that it made you swell up, ive never heard of that, and im really sorry it sounds awful and im glad i respond better than that...

My IGG level was like 158 last time, so i bet it will be down to about 130 before its over, yet im not feeling the greatest..
My starting igg level was 670, so hopefully it starts working soon, i want to ski in 20 days

Thanks again for your help!