Abatacept

[nanny_bee71]

After a long wait, I had my first infusion yesterday. All went OK until they removed the cannula which somehow got stuck, the result of which has left me with a very nasty bruise which is not looking to good this morning so will have to keep an eye on it. Just waiting for the magic to work now to stop what seems to have been a permanent flare waiting for the infusions - next one booked for 3 September. Patience I think is the word I am looking for!!!!!!

[AgedCrone]

Oh don’t worry, these bruises usually fade quite fast..but as we get older they do take a bit longer.

[Lizard28]

Ouch, I feel for you. I remember having blood taken at a hospital appointment. As usual the doctor had difficulty so third attempt half way up my arm with the butterfly method, he did get the blood slowly then told me to press on the area as hard as I could while he went and got a plaster, I did then screamed it was so painful, he left the needle in my arm. I felt as if I had ripped my vein, my arm was sore for months. While he did tried to get the blood from me he started telling me he always gets the difficult patients, he had to take it from someone’s neck once. Needless to say if I got him for my next appointment I was going to do a runner.

[Monkeysmum in reply to Lizard28]

Sounds like an awful experience Lizard. I’ve also experienced several difficult blood draws but a lovely very experienced phlebotomist once told me that those who blame it on the patient being difficult are just using that as an excuse as a skilled phlebotomist can get blood from anyone!

[BoneyC in reply to Lizard28]

I am difficult to get blood from as well. When I had to have cannulas changed every 3 days in hospital, they resorted to getting a chap from the renal unit as he was considered the best, and said he would buy me a beer if he failed, but even he had difficulties.

Had a cannula in the top of my foot once, but probably more of an infection risk there. I refused to allow them to try in my neck.

A ward doctor told me that when you are the only on call doctor on duty, you have to get it right first time and he thought a lot of them are in too much of a hurry to wait after the tourniquet is put on for the blood to fill up in the vein. His technique was to wait a bit longer and hey presto he was right!

I hate it when the person taking blood blames my veins!

[Lizard28 in reply to BoneyC]

So do I. When I was getting chemo it was always difficult getting the cannula in until my last one, the nurse came and said they have a new toy to try on me. I had to sit with my arm in a basin of hot water for ten minutes usually but this little gadget worked a treat. It was like an old fashioned hairdryer, you put a plastic sleeve on your arm and it blew hot air on my arm for about 4 minutes and bingo. They got it in first time. It plumped all my veins up. What a simple little gadget, they had it on trial but honestly it was a game changer, never seen it being used anywhere else. It shud be available for people who doctors can’t do it first time. I think you get more anxious the more they try,

[BoneyC in reply to Lizard28]

Sounds like a great idea. but sadly I've never seen it.

I need a cannula again tonight, for CT scan. Best arm vein is on side of painful elbow and shoulder which are waiting for replacements and the other elbow has a terrible vein, can hardly see it at all! Expecting fun and games (not).

[Lizard28 in reply to BoneyC]

Good luck with your ct scan. They always have to get someone else when I get that done. I feel like saying to them, get a senior person to do mine before you try!!

[Monkeysmum]

Hope it kicks in quickly and you feel better soon nanny_bee. 🤗

[GrannyR69]

hope your bruise heals quickly. Just to cheer you up- I’ve just heard from Lloyds Pharmacy that the click pens are back in stock and my first delivery is booked. Wasn’t looking forward to the next infusion 🤪. Hopefully you won’t need it now if you’re normally on the pens.

[Bookworm55]

I had a bruise like that after the first of my 2 infusions in June. It started forming while the infusion was going on and the nurse did offer to move the cánula to the other arm but I decided not to fearing I would end up with bruises on both arms! I have to say the bruise lasted over 2 weeks (up to when I had the second infusion) and I resorted to covering it with a large sticking plaster when I went out- just because of the look of it!

After the 2nd infusion (in the other arm) I had no bruise at all and couldn’t even see where the cánula had gone in.

[Gnarli]

With any luck it will act quickly for you and you'll be bouncing around like a two year old. My veins are usually like hosepipes and I'm a favourite with phlebotomy 😆.

[Leics]

My veins in my hands are a nightmare the only way they get any joy is with a paediatric cannula. Taking blood is never a problem I have a go to vein in my right arm. I always make sure that I’m warm and hydrated I drink copious amounts of water beforehand. I’m always asked if I’m on blood thinners which I’m not and don’t have high BP either. My only issue is making sure they allow me to press on the area for a while afterwards as they’re quite quick to get me out of the door but I won’t have that as I’ve left a trail of blood all over the corridor and been in a right mess on too many occasions. So as I’m a ‘good bleeder’ they can wait 20 seconds I figure.

[LillyBeagle]

I will be going on to ABATACEPT soon. I've been on Tocilizamub for 9 years and hasn't been working so well for just over a year now. Had so many flares this year so on an oral steroid temporarily to help. I'm just finishing up my last 4 of Tocilizamub then I've been told I have to wait a month (with no biologics). Then hopefully I will start my new infusion. Hope your bruises heal up.

[Neonkittie17]

I’m sorry to hear that. 😑🩷