IV Fluid Infusions for Dehydration?

[Essieluv]

Do any of you receive IV fluid infusions regularly? I have been struggling big time with dehydration lately, and I can't just go to the ER every time I get dehydrated (which is almost everyday). I think I might fluid infusions to my doc...How exactly did you get this set up? How long does it take?

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I would get them very often for a while and they just hooked me up to the IV and each bag took about 30 min. I didn't really feel good until I had 2 bags.

Are you drinking Gatorade and coconut water?

 

[xmdmom]

I would definitely discuss this with your doctor. Treatment/Prevention of dehydration would vary depending on the underlying cause.

Might oral rehydration drinks help? I read something about ceralyte but don't know anything personally about it.

 

[shamrock15]

When I had issues with this after my ostomy, they put a picc line in and I would run in bags of saline twice a day. I learned the maintenance of it so that I didn't have to run my life around the home visit nurse. It's pretty easy to do actually. As mentioned above, a chat with your GI about this would be a good idea. What is your fluids intake like daily?

 

[Essieluv]

I would get them very often for a while and they just hooked me up to the IV and each bag took about 30 min. I didn't really feel good until I had 2 bags.

Are you drinking Gatorade and coconut water?

I am drinking Gatorade and Powerade (and water). I tried the coconut water, but it made me really crampy and nauseous.

 

[Essieluv]

When I had issues with this after my ostomy, they put a picc line in and I would run in bags of saline twice a day. I learned the maintenance of it so that I didn't have to run my life around the home visit nurse. It's pretty easy to do actually. As mentioned above, a chat with your GI about this would be a good idea. What is your fluids intake like daily?

My dad had a temporary picc for an infection years ago, so I know what it's like to care for one. I honestly am open to this idea, simply because this dehydration is awful, and my veins are really bad for IVs. I have an appointment with my GP and GI soon, so I am going to be doing some research and getting prepared. I really want to feel better, and I know if I got this dehydration under control I would feel a lot better. Last time I went to the ER for it, I had to get IV fluids for six hours at the fastest drip before I even peed :ybatty:

I am drinking a lot, but trying not to overdo it because I know this can cause rebound dehydration. I think the reason I am so dehydrated is because of daily low-grade fevers and loose bowel movements, but so far nothing has helped with those symptoms. It's such an endless cycle!

 

[shamrock15]

Glad you are aware that drinking too much can actually dehydrate - that one is tough to crack once you start it. Take care.

 

[Naturelover]

I had a picc line first for about two months until I got an infection at the picc line site as well as two blood clots. I had horrible home nurses. I then got an implanted port. It was infected shortly after I got it due to a nurse not using sterile procedures. (Loooong story) (I switched home infusion companies four times before I found one with good nurses.) I have since had that port removed and a new one placed. The new one wasn't functioning properly so I had a port revision done in which they relocated the port reservoir. My port is doing beautifully now. I also have a wonderful nurse who follows sterile procedures. I've had her for almost a year and a half now.

I do daily hydration at home. It's easy to do and I usually run the IV's during the night. It seems overwhelming at first but quickly becomes second nature. I run a liter of normal saline at a set rate so it takes up to four hours for the infusion; longer if I lower the infusion rate. If I'm very dehydrated, I can open up the Dial-a-flow all the way and it will be short infusion. I also use the port for blood draws (No more needle sticks. Yea!) as well as IV antibiotics. I have the Huber needle in 24/7 and a home infusion nurse comes once a week to change the needle and dressing. If the skin at the port site gets too irritated, I remove the needle for a few days and give the site a rest.

Don't forget that you can't get a picc line or a port w/needle in wet so you have to change your bathing techniques.

Should you need a lot of electrolytes w/out drinking a lot, try getting clear geletin packs to make jello and adding enough Gatorade powder to make a quart of Gatorade. Eat the jello throughout the day. Great way to get in a lot of needed electrolytes w/out drowning yourself.

You can also use the Gatorade powder and make yourself a really strong glass of Gatorade. Just be sure to rinse your mouth with a little water or brush your teeth afterwards to prevent damage to the outer layer of your teeth. Dentist are now saying that sports drinks as well as sodas are causing damage to teeth.

Hope this helps some. Let us know how you make out with your GI doc.

Blessings,
Naturelover

 

[nogutsnoglory]

How much Gatorade and water are you drinking on average? Do you find any relief or is it all going out in diarrhea?

You can also eat chips and pretzels, the salt is good and bananas for potassium.

 

[Naturelover]

I don't have diarrhea. I have severe constipation along with esophagitis, gastritis, GERD, Complex Regional Pain syndrome (CRPS) formally named Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) and more. My fluid loss is due to excessive sweating and who knows what else. Me and the docs have no idea where it all goes.

I call my Gatorade jello and concetrated glass of Gatorade my electrolyte boost or power boost. Yep! It works like a charm! How much I drink is based on how my stomach and esophagus issues are doing. It's mainly a balancing act.

 

[Manzyb]

I'm actually!!u getting my IV hydration at home right now! the nurse hooked me up and left after showing me how to switch bags and everything. I recommend it and would definitely ask your doc about.

 

[Naturelover]

I'm hooked up to IV hydration now as well. Got the IV pole next to the bed. Guess I'd better get some sleep. The nurse comes in the morn to change the needle and dressing.:yrolleyes:

 

[shamrock15]

If you're getting IV hydration, there is a pump that they can hook up as well that runs the bag in about 1.5 hours instead of dripping forever. Ask about it!

 

[jwfoise]

I am drinking Gatorade and Powerade (and water). I tried the coconut water, but it made me really crampy and nauseous.

Essieluv,

My wife constantly has to watch her hydration level. She also pushes the Gatorade and Powerade. A big help for her is to not get dehydrated in the first place, but to push the fluids pro-actively.

When things get really bad, she'll switch to Pediolyte, but it is kind of pricey.

As someone else mentioned, try to eat a little something with the fluids, as it will help absorb them and slow down the loss - some bread or crackers or pretzels (assuming none of those bother you).

 

[JustAYoungLad]

My dad had a temporary picc for an infection years ago, so I know what it's like to care for one. I honestly am open to this idea, simply because this dehydration is awful, and my veins are really bad for IVs. I have an appointment with my GP and GI soon, so I am going to be doing some research and getting prepared. I really want to feel better, and I know if I got this dehydration under control I would feel a lot better. Last time I went to the ER for it, I had to get IV fluids for six hours at the fastest drip before I even peed :ybatty:

I am drinking a lot, but trying not to overdo it because I know this can cause rebound dehydration. I think the reason I am so dehydrated is because of daily low-grade fevers and loose bowel movements, but so far nothing has helped with those symptoms. It's such an endless cycle!

I currently have a temporary Hickman line which can be used for TPN and Hartmans solution after having my operation. The Hickman line is painless once in and I only felt 2 local injections getting it in.

I have a pump and IV fluids at my home if I need them, very handy.

Hope things get better for you!

 

[Kman]

My apologies for showing up late to the discussion as I realize that no one has posted on this thread for a while. I was actually trying to conduct a search to determine whether it might be possible for my son to get IV fluids at home for dehydration. In the search window, "Ottawa, Ontario" came up with a link to this thread so I wanted to post to see if any of you live in Ontario as we live close to Toronto and I am looking for alternatives to a hospital admission every time he becomes dehydrated due to Crohn's. Any help would be most appreciated!!

 

[tots]

I think thats a great idea. I feel dehydrated all the time.

Lauren

 

[shamrock15]

Kman - it probably picked up me - I am still in Ottawa. If dehydration is ongoing your docs need to first of all pin down what is causing it. Not a normal condition. Is your son still urinating reasonable quantities? I ask because shortly after all of the posts I made above I ended up with kidney stone issues that I believe go back to my issues with dehydration and prednisone use. If the volume is low, please hassle your docs to get it looked at. I still firmly believe that the picc line was a godsend for me at the time. Without it I would not have left the hospital. My experience here in Ottawa is that the docs will unfortunately only do the minimum - stabilize short term - unless you really push them. Please, push!

 

[shamrock15]

Sorry - didn't want that to be too much of a generalization. I currently do have an excellent GI and GP, but it took a lot of time to get good ones again. Wishing you the best.