Rituxan Question

[misskay]

Had my first rtx infusion yesterday. Took 6 tries to get a good vein... I am covered in bruises. They got in the veins just fine, got good blood return, then the vein would blow. I think it upset the nurses more than it did me. They pride themselves on hard sticks, (which I am) and "1 patient, 1 stick"... guess I blew that for them yesterday... took over an hour to finally get a good line, even after tourniquits, dangling arm, heating pads, etc.

Since I can't take Benydryl due to a heart condition they used a small dose of Claritin instead before the Solumedrol and rtx. Had some minor reaction to the rtx. Blood pressure dropped pretty low and temp started to go up, and slight itchy throat, tongue and inside ears, and face... but we slowed the dose and everything stabilized.

Just a shout out to the infusion nurses at the office... Cathy and Lenore ROCK! They kept things calm but upbeat, gave lots of encouragement and hugs... fetched water, passed out cookies, pillows, blankets, recipes (lol). Even a stuffed dog for the occasional snuggle.... they made what could be a miserable way to spend the day a whole lot better...

Didn't sleep hardly at all last night (probably due to the 100 Solumedrol), feel really tired today, and have had a headache since infusion. Guess killing off all those nasty B Cells is more work than I thought. lol Doc said I should start feeling better in a couple of weeks. I can't wait.

[Brooke]

Great news! Glad things went well for you!! Cheers to getting better!!

[Sangye]

I'm glad you got started on rtx. I have the same trouble with veins--just goes with the territory. (My record to get an IV started is 9.5 hrs of non-stop digging in the ER. I do mean non-stop, as they kept bringing in more nurses but not giving me a break. Well over 15 IVs started and blown, even in my neck. It was hell!)

I hope they'll find a better way to pre-treat you next time. You can't have that happen every time. When do you get your next infusion?

[Brooke]

Sangye, that is CRAZY!!!!! 9 1/2 hours???!!! WOWZER, poor you!!!
My husband has taken my blood before at our clinic and sometimes he has to use the childs needle to draw blood.

[misskay]

wow sangye... sounds awful. These gals kept apologizing... and at one point one of them was practically lying on the floor trying to start it, with a tourniquit, dangling arm and heating pad... all in all it was about an hour and a half before we got a line established.

I get my next infusion in 2 weeks (the 18th). I also hope they come up with another pre-treatment. The reaction wasn't severe, but I'd prefer not to have it every time lol

[drz]

wow sangye... sounds awful. These gals kept apologizing... and at one point one of them was practically lying on the floor trying to start it, with a tourniquit, dangling arm and heating pad... all in all it was about an hour and a half before we got a line established.

I get my next infusion in 2 weeks (the 18th). I also hope they come up with another pre-treatment. The reaction wasn't severe, but I'd prefer not to have it every time lol

Glad you got through it. sounds like an ordeal for you. What do you call the specialists that just do IV treatment? I have easy viens, one IV specialist said he could me in the dark. One time when I got stabbed three times I told them to get one of those specialists. The nurse agreed and said she wasn't going to try anymore. the specialist got me hooked up right away with no pain or hassle. You guys have a lot more patience than I do for being stuck.

[Sangye]

I always kind of giggle when people say they had to get stuck twice or even three times like it was the end of the world. Good thing I have no needle phobia--I'd be a goner!

I only have 2 veins left that will hold an IV. They're very scarred up from 4.5 yrs of sticks and all this pred (which makes veins fragile). I never had trouble before. If you have good veins protect them as if you only have 1 left. Don't do blood work unless you really need it.

[misskay]

These are full-time infusion nurses. It's all the do. Everyone else who was in and out of there all day got their IV on the first try. They finally managed to get my line started in a deep bicep vein. She could feel it but not see it and figured nobody had destroyed that one yet. She said there's just tons of scar tissue in the veins in my hands, forearms and inner elbow where everybody always tries to stick me.
And sangye... I DO have a needle phobia. The pain doesn't bother me, but if I see it I'll be out cold. :/ I just close my eyes, look the other way and do deep breathing exercises til they say "Aha!"

[Sangye]

Aww, I'm sorry you have a phobia. It sounds like you manage it okay, though. I know people who can't even get near needles. Must be awful.

The northern Arizona hospital I used to frequent used ultrasound to find my veins. That's how I learned where they are, which ones were good, and even learned that I'm missing some. My veins are very tiny apparently. They can only use baby needles for blood draws!

[drz]

Sangye, that is CRAZY!!!!! 9 1/2 hours???!!! WOWZER, poor you!!!
My husband has taken my blood before at our clinic and sometimes he has to use the childs needle to draw blood.

I think I would have more than a needle phobia after such a experience. It amazes me you two can even tolerate going for such procedures. You guys are tough! Most people would be