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Rolling Veins?

It took nine tries to get my IV to anchor into a vein yesterday when I made a trip to the ER. Eight of the nine resulted in blown veins, so I have some rough looking bruises across both of my arms and hands again.

I've been told I have "rolling veins," which is when a patient has veins that roll or slide aside when the pressure of the needle coming through the skin moves them. I feel bad, like I am annoying or wasting the time of my nurse, and give them a heads up when I see the tray of needles coming my way. Experienced nurses don't seem to hesitate, but I've had newbies thank me for letting them know so they can prepare or get their charge nurse. I tell them I've had so many shots and exams by now, I don't mind being used to learn off of.

I asked if there was anything I could do to help them, to make it easier, aside from recalling if one side or the other seems more common to work out than the other.

🥤 Stay Hydrated. Increased water intake helps to dilate your veins.
💆‍♀️ Relax. Tense muscles will constrict your veins further.
🧣 Keep Warm. Your blood flows better when its warm, not chilled.
🍎 Gravity. Let your arm hang down at your side or off the edge of the gurney, and your blood will flow into it better than it can flow back up and out.
🤜 Make a Fist. Flexing your fingers in and out of a fist will help to increase nearby flow and raise your veins towards the surface.

I hope this helps someone else out there. I know I have the most trouble with staying hydrated enough. I've got an awesome, measured cup saved to buy on my Amazon health wishlist to help me in the future.

#ivfluids #rollingveins #shots #tipsandtricks

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Anyone with experience with hospice?

Due to issues with my current palliative provider began the process of looking for another. New agency, whom I like so far, has suggested I'd be better served on hospice as they could provide almost everything at home and bring some continuity of care, something i currently struggle with a lot. Would love to hear of others experience. Especially with difference with palliative and hospice. TIA for sharing! #Hospice #Dysautonomia #GastrointestinalDiscomfort #Gastroparesis #MotilityDisorder #FeedingTube #ivfluids #Pacemaker #PureAutonomicFailure #FailureToThrive #ChronicIllness #chronic pain

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#Gastroparesis #Awareness #FeedingTube #ivfluids

August is Gastroparesis awareness month. Please show support and help spread awareness by wearing green this month. Gastroparesis has affected my life in many ways and is a big part why I need iv hydration. Complications of gastroperesis can be life threatening and are often what lead to my hospital stays. Thanks - Amber

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Struggling tonight

Having one of “those” nights... My sister, niece and I are taking a little mini vacation tomorrow - Sunday (No worries, we aren’t going anywhere around crowds or to any “hotbed” states” but we still have our masks & loads of sanitizer packed) so I have had an abnormally extra busy past few days trying to prepare. My body is so sore and hates me right now. I was hoping for a good night’s rest, but due to being so uncomfortable I took a dose of pain meds which makes me insanely itchy despite pre-medicating with Benadryl, Zyrtec, Pepcid, Tylenol, & Phenergan. I was able to fall asleep for about 3 hours but woke myself up scratching, now I can’t sleep. I’m also anxious about the trip for several reasons but mainly right now because we typically fly when we travel because it’s faster and easier on me all around. However, this trip we are driving and it’s about a 5 hour trip without stopping. I am so scared it is going to put my body in turmoil to be in the van that long. We are planning to make frequent stops, I have extra pillows, blankets, hot/cold packs, compression socks, literally everything I can think of to keep comfortable but I can’t help but be nervous. It’s been years since I have traveled more than 1 to 2 hours anywhere. I just want to be able to enjoy myself once we get there.
#AutonomicNeuropathy #AutonomicDysfunction #Gastroparesis #MultipleSclerosis #TPN #Portacath #PowerPort #ivfluids #SmallFiberNeuropathy #AutoimmuneAutonomicNeuropathy #OrthostaticHypotension #PosturalOrthostaticTachycardiaSyndrome #Malabsorption

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Port and iv fluids

At my doctors I see a pa who is amazing and wonderful and she is for me getting a port. The problem is the actual doctor at that office will not approve me for one. So now my only option is to see my cardiologist again and show her all my research and my charts from all my Er visits and hospital stays when I was getting iv fluid how beneficial it was and convince her to approve me for one. If that doesn’t work I’m going to have to go out of state to either a Mayo Clinic or Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. I just pray we can get this worked out soon I can’t take this anymore. #LivingWithPOTS #POTS #ivfluids

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Answered prayers 🙏

I seen my pcp today concerning my POTS and hypovolemic shock from dehydration due to my POTS. We have decided I’m getting a port a cath In order to run iv fluids from home or on the go with a battery powered pump! I can’t even explain how happy I am that I’m able to get this great medical device to increase my quality of life. When I get fluids I hardly have POTS symptoms at all so I’m really looking forward to this hopefully we can get the procedure scheduled as soon as possible. I love my doctor 👩‍⚕️ #LivingWithPOTS #Portacath #ivfluids

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Cousin luv

Going out to eat with the best! I got a few bags of iv fluids now I’m feeling great for now! #ivfluids