An alternative to IV?

[Tim641]

So I've been on Infliximab just over a year and finding a vein has always been a challenge but recently my Infusions are every 6 weeks instead of 8 weeks because I haven't been feeling too good. In my last Infusion it took the nurses 2 hours to find a vein in which time I was poked 15 times. The minimum number of pokes is at least 5 and I don't think I can go through that again. I've tried everything like having plenty of fluids and and having a hot shower before the infusion but it doesn't help as much because my veins are just so tiny and now my Infusions are more frequent and I'm having more blood tests and I don't think I can go through that again. I'm scared of needles as it is. I read online about a portacath but I'm not sure about the procedure or even if it's a good idea or not. Has anybody had a portacath and is there something better for me than that?

 

[my little penguin]

Have they used ultrasound ?
You can request the IV team at the hospital
And they can use GUIDED ultrasound
Instantly goes right in the vein
Ds is a hard “stick” due to so many iv from a young age (dx at age 7 )

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5654873/

Abstract

Peripheral intravenous line placement is a common procedure in emergency medicine. Ultrasound guidance has been demonstrated to improve success rates, as well as decrease complications and pain. This paper provides a narrative review of the literature focusing on best practices and techniques to improve performance with this procedure. We provide an evidence-based discussion of preparation for the procedure, vein and catheter selection, multiple techniques for placement, and line confirmation.

 

[Tim641]

They've never used an ultrasound, I'll suggest that at my next infusions.

 

[awoenker12]

Wow, 15 times! At my last Remicade infusion, the nurse poked me four times and I thought that was bad. Then again, I was a bit dehydrated. Where did they try to insert the IV?

 

[Tim641]

Wow, 15 times! At my last Remicade infusion, the nurse poked me four times and I thought that was bad. Then again, I was a bit dehydrated. Where did they try to insert the IV?

My hands, wrist, and all very my arm