Do you guys think it's unreasonable to ask my doctor about a picc line for my next ivig? Everytime I have it done (4days) it takes atleast 3-4 pics to get a vein that works...I know its a big thing for just 4 days..but I hate getting stuck and looking like a drug addict after...

Thx

When I have my treatments it is usually Tues and Thur. They space mine out because of my age. But on Tues they leave the needle in and on Thur they just hook up with no sticking. I know what you mean about the sticking. Most of the time they take 3-4 attempts to find a vein. They told me to drink a lot of water before I come. When I get there they wrap my arm with a heating pad for about 10 minutes. I'm going this morning for a treatment I will let you know how the lots of water works.
Mike

I finally was able to get a PICC line because it had been taking 15 sticks over 5 days of IVIG to get all the meds in. Also, my lines could not stay in overnight once we got them in due to prednisone: my veins would crash or infiltrate. When they got the line in, they would push the saline and the vein would blow. And my veins were all scared from all the sticks in the hospital so they started running out of places to stick me. It was hell and the nurses begged the doc to do it.

I think the fact that it came from the nurses is why my neuro went for it. That being said, it was the best thing idea ever. It has been in for 7 months now and it is totally worth having to wrap it to shower. If you are going to continue to get IVIG and have a whole lot of trouble with your veins, it is an excellent idea.

debra

I got a port about 2 years ago and it has been great. It is in my chest under the skin so I don't have to worry about getting it wet, etc.

The nurses love it and so do I!

Well the water didn't do a thing for my veins. Sounds as if you need a port from the other replys. All that sticking is not fun. It appears they can't get into my left arm at all.
Mike

Hey all- I did ask she said it's not worth the risk of infection for me..but that was for a picc line.I'm not sure how long i will be having the ivig so I don't really want a cath

Hey good luck to you in what ever you decide. All these decisions are tough. I have been getting different meds and treatments since Aug and nothing helps. It's one decision after another. As one nurse told me "You are all one big experiment"
Mike

Yeah I know what u mean by the experiment thing..I was 17 when diagnosed, every doctor wanted me to study. But I think ill just let them stick me until I cannot be stuck anymore. Thx tho.

Hope your doing well