IV hard to set?

[SlmHarris]

I went for my MRI yesterday to get new measurements on my brain tumor. I went thru the first section of MRI now it's time for the contrast.

Hour later 3 people have tried to set an IV one lady set one but it blew fast no contrast. The others tried but my veins ran or moved.

They always blame it on hydration. I don't understand... if I'm dehydrated and went to the ER they would run fluids IV. How do they get it started? I'm not dehydrated.

My veins are small roll and blow easy.

Doesanyone else seem to have this type of problem?

[mrsmike]

SlmHarris

Sorry to hear about your rolling veins. It's nerve racking enuf with having the mri, but with added issues...ugh! I have had that problem a few times. I don't think there is any way around it, sorry to say.

[SlmHarris in reply to mrsmike]

Thanks! I pray the Dr can go by just the regular pics

[greaterexp]

SlmHarris , when I worked in a little satellite clinic, people came to us for lab draws to avoid the big clinic or hospitals. We all got tons of experience, which helped, but we had one nurse who seemed to have a divining rod built in.

If I may suggest some things, I would be hydrated, yes, (but urinate right before the MRI) and tell them ahead of time that you have a history of very difficult IV starts, and request that, if necessary, they have someone with tons of experience in dealing with difficult veins be there to start your IV. There are tricks to getting those veins to cooperate a bit more.

I hope your doctor can get a true impression without the contrast. I’m sorry you had a less than lovely experience. Do tell us what you learn from your MRI.

[SlmHarris in reply to greaterexp]

Unfortunately I do have to go back Friday for the contrast!

If I have to be ugly I will. I will insist on someone from the cardiologist or pediatric to come. I let 3 ppl stick 6 times. They even had some one from infusion center try.

[kdali in reply to SlmHarris]

That demand won't get you far, those nurses are not better at sticking dehydrated rolling adult veins. How goes the ER rehydrate with IV fluids? They are not limited to specific veins for giving contrast dye.

A moist hot compress or using a vein finder is what I would do.

[Hidden in reply to SlmHarris]

That's bad

[bxrmom in reply to SlmHarris]

I have heard of using smaller needles to get blood from people with issues of rolling veins, why can't they do the same with an IV? Please keep us updated on how it goes with your MRI. Hope it goes better next time.

Jessie

[SlmHarris in reply to bxrmom]

They were using a very small IV.

I went back this past Friday, again 4 ppl tried no IV set after 15 sticks.

My MRI showed stable with out contrast. But without contrast they can not get exact measurements.

I'm not exactly comfortable.

[melack01]

They make me go and get the IV put in first and then they close it off until it's time to put the contrast in. The last time they had to use a sonogram device to get it started.

[SlmHarris in reply to melack01]

I'm always told drink drink drink before you come in.

I will drink drink drink like they said. .. Little does anyone recognize is I always drinking because of dry mouth due to meds.

[AngieRowe]

I have been unable to get done sometimes, I drink a lot b/f I go it helps. It’s sort of a catch 22, you want to not drink too much b/c you will be in in a tube but if you don’t drink enough it makes it harder to get in IV

[SlmHarris in reply to AngieRowe]

Thank you!

[Hidden]

This year I've had three misses and roll aways. My being are big and blue I don't get how they miss. This last time the iv valve malfunction and she missed on patient before me so she looked at the lot number and dug through drawer and found much smaller gage iv needle. I can't stand when they keep pokeing and prodding digging that tube in and it's not working. Still have massive bruise from last week. If they don't get it in right away I wish they'd just immediately try a different vein

[cljones]

SlmHarris

[cljones]

@Sin Harris I have the same problem. They usually have to use a vein in my hand which really hurts. I try to drink a lot before but don't want to drink to much because don't want to have to run to bathroom. What a pain. I feel your pain.