First ivig this week

[Imbub]

Scheduled for first ivig on Thursday. My veins like to play hide and seek whenever they are invaded so my lab friends always use a butterfly needle. When I had my transfusion last year after 11 unsuccessful pokes they went down to a 20 needle (I have no idea what that means. Other than it made the process slower. But at least the got in to the vein)

[Imbub]

to add to this post. Any suggestions for making it easier? I'm scheduled for once a month for 6 months. Thanks everyone. I'm in very small town 2500 people so you guys are my go to info and support.

[cajunjeff in reply to Imbub]

If you are having a lot of problems with veins you can discuss a port with your doctor. Some people have ports and love them, others not so much. There are some drawbacks and infection risks. If you are really having infusion issues its at least worth a discussion with your doctor to see if it is an option.

[virdieblue in reply to Imbub]

I'm not the easiest person to get blood from and one of the techs put heat on the area first.

Virginia

[WinJ3]

Hi Imbub, Sorry 😐 to hear that....reminds me of how it was with me and how hard it was to find my veins.

I now have a port installed and it’s a bit easier now 🙂

Win

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

It helps if you are well hydrated and your arms are warm. Clenching and opening your fist helps the veins become more prominent. The alternative of having your IgG subcutaneously wouldn't be worth it for just two infusions a year.

Neil

[thb4747]

Just supporting Neil. I hate drinking water but my IVIG nurses told me I should drink several glasses before coming in for IVIG. I’m up to around 100 transfusions (mostly IVIG but some blood as well) and my veins have taken a real beating. The water definitely helps.

I also get a hot wheat pack on arrival to heat my hands.

Go well.

Rob

[MsLockYourPosts Passed Volunteer]

I agree. Go well hydrated. The one time I wasn't it took threes nurses ( three tries and pass) to find a vein, and I'm usually an easy stick. My center uses a heating pad or hot wet towels, also, to get the veins to pop up. You could take your own heating pad in case that isn't an option at your center.

[nvp815]

I have an issue with my veins also. I felt badly for my IVIG infusion nurses and they felt badly for me. As stated above adequate hydration and keeping your arms warm help a lot. Neil talked about clenching and opening your fists and that I learned is the real secret! I watched my 20 year old son doing forearm exercises a couple months ago and saw his veins popping out. So he taught me a couple of them - super easy and no exercise equipment required. I do them for about 5 minutes before I am having an IV inserted or before blood draws. It works like a charm. I have had no problems since. I inserted the link below which shows the forearm exercises my son follows and which he taught me. Hope it works for you too. By the way, I only do these before my infusion days/blood draws. I am a 60 year old petite female and have no aspirations to look like the fellow in the video...Lol.

youtu.be/P5SKBRXAR1Q(Not working as expected?)

[Imbub in reply to nvp815]

Lol. Just finished working with the video. Obviously I wasn't working as hard as he was as my veins didn't pop out like his did. Thanks for the tip though. Makes sense and worth the try. Entertaining for my friends in the lab too!

[nvp815 in reply to Imbub]

I can’t wait to hear if it worked for you! My veins look nothing like his either...but I have to say I have gone from getting stuck 5 or 6 times to successfully having my IVs go in on the first try!! The entertainment of the video is just an added bonus. 😊😊

[lexie in reply to nvp815]

Thanks for this instructive video. I am not to a point where I get infusions but when that day comes I will be well practiced. I have great visible veins in the crook of my arm but the preference for my anesthesiologists are the hands. I am sure this activity raises the blood pressure temporarily so I sure won't do this just before my BP reading.

Do you do this for the same length of time as this conditioned athlete or adapt it to your needs?

[nvp815 in reply to lexie]

Hi Lexie,

I definitely don't do it to the same degree as the gentleman in the video. I do it for about two minutes. Then I take a short break, shake out my arms and then pick up again. I honestly cannot believe the difference it has made. My IVIG nurse (I typically have the same nurse every six weeks) said to me at my last infusion, "Wow, your veins are amazing". Prior to this, they were never able to get my IV in on the first try. I was used to getting stuck multiple times!!! I have not noticed it has had an effect on my blood pressure, but it is an interesting thought. Good luck and stay well

Nan

[charliegirl]

They produce buckets of hot water to help veins reveal themselves when I go for IVIG.

I was also advised to drink ++, not only to help veins but also to reduce headache which can be a side effect of IVIG.

Best wishes for Thursday

Charlie Girl

[Imbub in reply to charliegirl]

thanks Charlie girl. I am also popping a couple extra strength Tylenol before hand to ward off headache.

[BeckyLUSA]

My lab people always told me to be sure and drink extra the day before as well. Agree with Neil, a port or Sub Q would not be worth it for 6 months only, but if you need it indefinitely, it would be worth bringing it up. It was the lab folks who kept bringing it up to me. After 3 years of IVIG every 6 weeks, I got my port in November. It is a godsend during the process and of course the lab folks don’t dread seeing my arrive now!

My only negative is that at 5 months post insertion, it can still be tender to the touch. But my skin over the chest area is very thin and it does need to stretch over the port. All in all I am very pleased and would do it again.

It will probably take you about 4-6 hours. Since it is your first time, they will be going very slowly to insure no reactions. Be sure and take along plenty of things to do, extra liquids to drink and even some snacks. Don’t know how yours is run, but my treatment center has volunteers that bring around carts with drinks and snacks, but during the COVID crisis, volunteers are not allowed. Many people fall asleep because of the benedryl they sometimes give you ahead of time, but I am not a daytime sleeper so it just relaxes me. I wish I could fall asleep! I take my tablet, any book I am reading and now that I have my port, my coloring book and crayons 🖍.

Good luck!

[Imbub in reply to BeckyLUSA]

Thanks Becky. I am having mine done in the local hospital. I'm in a small town,2500 people, so I know most of the staff in the hospital and lab. It makes things a lot more pleasant when you see friendly faces.

[bigunwill2]

Had port 4 1/2 years and love it. If you have experienced nurses there is almost no pain. I get blood draw and flushed once a month. This also lets me have a constant monitoring of my blood work.

[Eliotf]

Please learn & memorize these things such as needle size so you can give the information to the nurse and doctors as it comes about. If the ivig infusion is going to be a regular thing for you, then definitely get a Port-a-cath (ChemoPort) installed. It is wonderful

[Imbub in reply to Eliotf]

Once a month for 6 months. We will see how things go on Thursday.

[Eliotf]

If it only once a month for 6 months, then don't worry about it. I am on it at 50g/week for life. This is due to some major autoimmune disorders

[Imbub in reply to Eliotf]

Sheesh. Sorry to hear that eliotf. Best of luck. 🤞☘️

[Eliotf in reply to Imbub]

Thank you. At this point it is just part of my ‘routine’ life. I just have to be ‘plugged in for about 3-4 hours Thursday mornings. It doesn’t hurt. It is just a time thing.

[Imbub in reply to Eliotf]

Weirdly enough I am almost looking forward to 5-6 hrs in our little local hospital. I know most of the staff and it will just be nice to see other people again. Other than monthly blood work and the odd sneak into our one and only grocery store at the early opening for seniors I haven't really interacted with anyone face to face. Hubby doesn't count as the golf course has reopened and he still has several Netflix movies saved on the basement TV. Lol