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Anyone here a "tough stick" for IVs, needles, infusions? I have to get monthly infusions of Orencia for rheumatoid arthritis and the nurses have a terrible time with my veins--after the 3rd or 4th try, I want to give up and go home. I don't want a port. Being hydrated and hot packs on arms and hands aren't helping enough. Anyone have other "tricks" to try?
Hideously bad veins here. Thankfully I don't have to get regular infusions so my heart absolutely hurts for you!
The only "tricks" that have ever worked for me is that they have sometimes called a nurse in from Pediatrics who was more used to small finicky veins. For me, ER nurses seem to have better luck with the first or second stick.
Me too. Tiny, movable veins. Often, they fail so many times on my arms that they end up putting the needle into the back of my hand.
Sometimes they have to get someone else to do it. They use something called a butterfly needle, whatever that is. They tell me to drink a lot of water before I go there. Join the club.
Me too. Tiny, movable veins. Often, they fail so many times on my arms that they end up putting the needle into the back of my hand.
Sometimes they have to get someone else to do it. They use something called a butterfly needle, whatever that is. They tell me to drink a lot of water before I go there. Join the club.
Yeah, they use the butterfly on me occasionally too. I think it's a smaller needle used for children/infants. There was once though they said they couldn't use that and I can't remember why!
Horrible veins, made worse with decades of steroids. Before I gave up and ended up with a port my nurses would use some sort of mini ultrasound that gave a clear view of my veins.
They would still roll and burst, but at least finding a new one was easier.
Anyone here a "tough stick" for IVs, needles, infusions? I have to get monthly infusions of Orencia for rheumatoid arthritis and the nurses have a terrible time with my veins--after the 3rd or 4th try, I want to give up and go home. I don't want a port. Being hydrated and hot packs on arms and hands aren't helping enough. Anyone have other "tricks" to try?
are the most experienced nurses missing? perhaps someone from anesthesia or the emergency department can put in the access device (ie saline lock) then head to see the nurse giving you the med? inexperienced nurses might say you have difficult veins to compensate for their inexperience....just thoughts from someone who worked from the patient care side of things.
I've had difficult to puncture veins all my life, with more than a few RN's and techs giving up after numerous tries. The problem is that my veins "hide" when anybody comes near me with a needle.
But one RN came up with a solution that works for both of us:
there is a liquid product that the nurse can apply to the puncture site. A fast evaporating solvent, it freezes the top skin layer and makes the tissue below firmer so that everything stays in place and there's no pain of the puncture. A 6 second
spray application of the stuff, a second or two to let it evaporate and freeze the tissue, and she's got about 5 seconds to do the deed. With the firmer tissue, a good tech can get the needle in first try every time without all the digging around and repeated attempts of a needle stick without using the stuff.
I noticed that my orthopedic doc also uses this stuff when he's got to do injections in places such as knee joints. Easier on the patient and the doc to do his job.
Perhaps your clinic will get this stuff and stock it for the "difficult to stick" patients such as you. I know that at my Doc's office the techs/nurses were thrilled to have this tool to make it easier for their patients and for them to get IV's started without difficulty.
Butterflies and drink a TON of water ahead of time. I have the trifecta, small deep rollers. Some hospitals have an IV team. I always ask for "your best sticker" as novices only cause pain.
I have had this issue forever. When I have to get blood tests, I just tell them off the bat that medical personnel usually resort to using pediatric needles on me. It wasn't until my granddaughter became an R.N. did she tell me I have " rolling veins". I'd like think they are Rocking and Rolling veins. Lol
Anyone here a "tough stick" for IVs, needles, infusions? I have to get monthly infusions of Orencia for rheumatoid arthritis and the nurses have a terrible time with my veins--after the 3rd or 4th try, I want to give up and go home. I don't want a port. Being hydrated and hot packs on arms and hands aren't helping enough. Anyone have other "tricks" to try?
I have this problem too.They use baby needles on me for my infusions.I drink a lot of water before hand.They have even had to call the ER a couple times to get a needle in.I have to get to stuck in my hand.I feel for ya,OP.
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