[Roxie2007]

Hey all!
The last 2 times that I had my infusion and during my esophagus procedure the IV's were put in the top of my left hand. Yesterday when my nurse put the IV in it all went well........but this morning when I woke up the back of my hand is swollen and the vein is very hard and hurts! I called my nurse and she said to keep ice on it and if it's still bothering me on Monday I'm suppose to see my dr. So I've kept ice on my hand all day and it still aches and hurts. Does anyone who does infusions have any suggestions......do I have anything to worry about?? I hope it feels better tomorrow..............

[dahlek]

You have, as they say in the nurse trade: Blown a vein!
Did you have any discomfort at all during the infusion, from start to finish? Did you bleed more than normal after they took the catheter out?
IF not, then, well, they are gonna have to use different veins on your wrists and lower forearms...Something they should be doing anyhow...not, NOT using the same vein/line over and over again. "Rotating' should be a rule, but isn't always. And, you do have to keep some 'spots' open for emergencies.
I 'save' my inner elbow joint puncture point for my blood tests and possible emergencies [a place they are gonna either DO or try to do first anyhow]. A good nurse should rotate where they put the lines in.
Now lastly, were you really and truly HYDRATED before you had infusions? IF you forget, well, this is one of those nasty pay-backs that just happens.
As for the pain? I would switch on/and off alternating heat and cold [as much of either you can tolerate] 15-20 minutes on/off for either. I tend to rotate the compresses or gel paks around all the sore spots.
Sure does make a person very grumpy in the interim tho, doesn't it? IF it doesn't go away after the weekend, DO see your doc, and have him check you out. IF pain gets worse over the weekend? Call the doc, and SIGH, expect to be referred to an ER or the like. I don't know about you, but I'd rather wait to see the docs on Monday? Too many sick folks these days in ER's -if you know what I mean.
Let me know how you are doing for the interim and after, please? HUGS! - j

[Roxie2007]

Good Morning J,
Gosh that's what I was thinking.....blowing out the vein. I have a hard spot in the vein of my other arm (in the elbow area) that was blown out a cpl months ago and now this!
When the needle went in it was very painful but everything went normal after that and there wasn't any bleeding or bruising. I'll rotate the heat and ice today and see how it is by Monday.
Have a great day J!

[mrsD]

If this gets any worse, at all.... go to the ER or an urgent care.

An infection may be present, and if so needs immediate treatment.

[MelodyL]

HI Roxie.

Sorry about your vein problems. Hope the icing helps.

26 years ago when I was hospitalized for Toxemia while being pregnant, I was in the hospital almost 3 weeks. I had 32 IV's put in. My veins kept collapsing or blowing out. I never saw such swollen things in all my life. They had to keep finding places to stick me.

Finally, and this was a few days before I had to be discharged after having my son, the nurse said with a sigh "If this one doesn't take, we are going to have to go through your neck". I had no idea what she was talking about but it didn't sound very appealing. But thank god, it took and I went home about 3 days later.

Now when I go for a blood test, I show them my left arm and I go "have a good time". They say "Oh my goodness, where are your veins??" Then I put up my right arm and they say "Oh, there they are".

Now I have no idea why I don't have any visible veins in my left arm, but oh my god, when I show my right arm, there are veins all over the place. I mean, they are really very visible.

Strange thing abou veins, huh??

be well

Melody

[daniella]

I have no advice just saying hi and sending hugs and thoughts your way. I feel so bad for all your going through but I agree you may want to go to the er if you feel something is really wrong. You don't need an infection. Many hugs

[BEGLET]

All good advice above - and my two cents - those of us getting repatedly stabbed have to be very careful of our veins.... be sure on your iv that they dont keep sticking you in the same place or it will get hard and then no needle will go in... I had them use both arms - switching back and forth each time, front and back of arms (I used hands as last resort and they hurt like heck especially for long infusions) - (even then I had one experience where it took 7 stabs) - and use heat to puff up vein prior to placing the iv needles to help needle go in easier (just a little microwave heating pad on my arm for a minute or so prior to needle going in).... I have one permanent spot in the inside elbow that will not work from so many blood tests there - learned from that! Hope it is not infected - please listen to Mrs D...


How is it going at work?

[Roxie2007]

HI!
Well the swelling is going down, it's still very tender but not as bad as yesterday. I'm still doing ice and heat and that's doing the trick.....thank goodness! I too was worried it was infected. I'll let my dr. know about the problem on Monday and hopefully it won't happen again. I've had 14 infusions so far......sure tired of getting stuck! I hate having my hands stuck anyway cause it hurts like crazy!

Mel I never would have made it getting stuck SO many times in such a short amount of time! That must have been dreadful!

I hope everyone is having a good weekend. This morning we help out at a fund raiser for a lady that Mike works with. She's only 45 and had a stroke and is now in a deep coma. The hospital wants her moved to a full time care facility, it's so sad and SO expensive. Now we are heading out to mow.......aren't weekends suppose to be a relaxing time? LOL

[dahlek]

IT IS A HECK OF A SCARY THING to have happen!

Sticking should be done in as many different places as possible, sticking in the SAME place causes something akin to scar tissue on the veins...Aside from my HYDRATE 'mantra', well, maybe ROTATE should be added?

As I said before, I'm keeping my 'elbow' access only for blood work and emergencies!

Sheesh! After some infusions, after I take the bandage off...the POKE site is very visable.... Makes me feel like someone 'disreputable'?

I keep asking about the possibility of a port with my infusion nurse. Depends on what day it is? Mostly I'm told I am good for more 'pokes' before getting a port and all THAT can entail...and I'm over 3-1/2 years now?

Hang in there, and maybe ask the nurse [after talking to your doc] and asking for an infusion rate a 'bit' slower? Sometimes knowing the best rates for you are the best for less side effects....'s - j

[MelodyL]

Best of luck on your fundraiser. I hope you raided lots of bucks for that woman. She is in my prayers.


Melody