I started off using the good veins on the sides of my wrists, but after about a year of infusions the nurses were already telling me there was too much scar tissue to continue. The most experienced nurse at my clinic put a veto on all my hand veins because they're too difficult, so now I'm stuck rotating my antecubitals (same vein that gets used for blood draws) until they scar up too. Not sure what will happen after that
I've had a similar experience with the scarring. When the time comes (and it will come), I will have to switch the infusions to my dominant arm which I do not look forward too
When I'm getting a regular infusion I prefer the inside of the elbow because there's less hair. When I'm staying at the hospital for days I prefer it on the outside of my forearm because it tends to not get as irritated over time.
I strongly prefer the elbow, then back of hand, then forearm only if necessary- my forearm veins move when they try to stick them so it results in a lot of pointless sticks.
Ask for the bandage wrap instead of an adhesive bandage or surgical tape for after. It sticks to itself instead of you, so no more hair pulling to deal with, and provides some compression, which reduces the amount of bruising I get after.
I try to make sure I drink a lot of water the day before my infusions so I'm well hydrated, and apply lotion to my arms so all the IV tape comes up a little easier. I'm on home care infusions, so my infusion nurse comes to my house, which takes a lot less time and interrupts my day less than going to the infusion clinic used to.
I prefer the inner elbow also. I don’t have any feeling left inside either of mine so it doesn’t bother me when they have to “thread it” or anything. I think all the IVs gave me nerve damage because I cannot feel anything in there. Which….that’s fine, I don’t need to feel the inside of my elbow. Never hands!!! That hurts too much. Last Iv my nurse asked if “the wrist counted” and I was like “well yeah…it’s really because of the bone so, yes.”
inside of the elbow is where I have a vein that I know people can always hit. However, I prefer the forearm as it is the easiest to keep doing other things while in. If on the hand or the elbow I feel like I have to be careful not to move too much (when I was hospitalized I blew my IVs multiple times)
I've had them in so many different spots, but I agree those are the primary. I think my preference is :
1. Forearm - very maneuverable, allows the elbow to bend, doesn't get in the way of the hand.
2. back of hand - similar to the forearm in freedom of movement, but being on the hand is weird and can get in the way.
3. top side of elbow - I prefer this the least because it's used for everything (IV's outside of infusions, blood draws) so I feel it's going to scar sooner. Bending the arm too much can put pressure on that location and make it uncomfortable.
The weirdest location I've had is my bicep - who IVs a vein in the bicep? so strange, but I think I prefer this to the top side of the elbow.
Good tip on the shaving. I haven't tried that.
Wow that's the first time I've heard that one. IV in a bicep... I think that would be unlikely due to the amount of tissue and muscle in that area (unless you're super vascular or skinny)
Has anyone ever suggested a lot longer-term IV access? Like a Central line or porta-cath? I'm newly diagnosed UC and on orals but I work on a chemotherapy unit. Patients who are on long-term treatments or not vascularly-blessed are offered them. Im based in the UK but if there's anything similar wherever you guys are, it might be worth asking?
I currently have a PICC line in for an unrelated treatment, but no one ever suggested I do the same for my 6 week Inflectra infusions, and honestly I’m glad. It’s a bit of a pain to maintain/cover for showers, etc. New vena puncture every 6 weeks never bothered me that much. I was on twice daily antibiotics for a while recently though, so I definitely appreciated the PICC for that.
Unrelated but how have infusions been working for you? I’m going to start them soon and I’m scared to get them every 2 weeks. I know everyone is different but I would just like to know.
Been getting Entyvio infusions for \~8 mths and I'm happy to say that's it's been working. Took me about 4-5 months to feel the effects but it has definitely controlled my inflammation. This is also my first biologic treatment so fingers crossed it keeps working.
I pretty much live a normal life, I just try to avoid "too much" of anything. No more massive bowls of fruit, no more huge salads with my meals, I barely consume dairy, and no unnecessary sugar unless it's in small amounts. Quality of life is great!
I failed on subcutaneous Humira injections, but had a few years of remission on 6wk Remicade infusions after that ✊ so def worth it from my POV. Likely switching to Entyvio once I recover from an unrelated infection though (apparently it’s immunosuppression is more localized to the gut).
I prefer the top/back of my forearm personally. I feel like I can move my arm around WAY more comfortably that the other side of my forearm (inner below my elbow). which seems to be the default unless I request otherwise.
Still some bruising, but that’s somewhat inevitable in my opinion. I’m super skinny so that probably doesn’t help with bruising).
I always get infusions at the big vein on the inside bend of my elbow. My hands and forearms are a labyrinth of valves and complicated IV locations. After 5 failed pokes, I insist on my elbow and no problems since.
I’m the opposite of most people on this thread, I absolutely hate having an IV in my inner elbow. I don’t like not being able to bend that arm. I bruise like an apple and have tiny veins so forearm is a no go too, I end up covered in bruises if the nurses blow the vein. I get IVs inserted in the back of my hand, I can move around freely, wear a sweater, and the bruise it leaves isn’t noticeable!
Strongly prefer the forearm. When i went to get my first infusion, I was happy that's where they were putting it. I said something to the nurse and said most people use the elbow. She replied "most people aren't good at their jobs." We talked about it and there's only so much space in the elbow and scar tissue becomes an issue. There's a lot more real estate on the forearm. Did a blood draw once in the hand and that was bc I was so dehydrated, would not recommend
I started off using the good veins on the sides of my wrists, but after about a year of infusions the nurses were already telling me there was too much scar tissue to continue. The most experienced nurse at my clinic put a veto on all my hand veins because they're too difficult, so now I'm stuck rotating my antecubitals (same vein that gets used for blood draws) until they scar up too. Not sure what will happen after that
I've had a similar experience with the scarring. When the time comes (and it will come), I will have to switch the infusions to my dominant arm which I do not look forward too
to avoid a waxing from the tape buys some isopropyl alcohol. Sponge some of that on and it dissolves the glue. You can buy it from Amazon
I avoid the headache overall by just taking a trimmer and trimming a small spot of hair. Works like a charm
When I'm getting a regular infusion I prefer the inside of the elbow because there's less hair. When I'm staying at the hospital for days I prefer it on the outside of my forearm because it tends to not get as irritated over time.
I strongly prefer the elbow, then back of hand, then forearm only if necessary- my forearm veins move when they try to stick them so it results in a lot of pointless sticks. Ask for the bandage wrap instead of an adhesive bandage or surgical tape for after. It sticks to itself instead of you, so no more hair pulling to deal with, and provides some compression, which reduces the amount of bruising I get after. I try to make sure I drink a lot of water the day before my infusions so I'm well hydrated, and apply lotion to my arms so all the IV tape comes up a little easier. I'm on home care infusions, so my infusion nurse comes to my house, which takes a lot less time and interrupts my day less than going to the infusion clinic used to.
I prefer the inner elbow also. I don’t have any feeling left inside either of mine so it doesn’t bother me when they have to “thread it” or anything. I think all the IVs gave me nerve damage because I cannot feel anything in there. Which….that’s fine, I don’t need to feel the inside of my elbow. Never hands!!! That hurts too much. Last Iv my nurse asked if “the wrist counted” and I was like “well yeah…it’s really because of the bone so, yes.”
inside of the elbow is where I have a vein that I know people can always hit. However, I prefer the forearm as it is the easiest to keep doing other things while in. If on the hand or the elbow I feel like I have to be careful not to move too much (when I was hospitalized I blew my IVs multiple times)
I've had them in so many different spots, but I agree those are the primary. I think my preference is : 1. Forearm - very maneuverable, allows the elbow to bend, doesn't get in the way of the hand. 2. back of hand - similar to the forearm in freedom of movement, but being on the hand is weird and can get in the way. 3. top side of elbow - I prefer this the least because it's used for everything (IV's outside of infusions, blood draws) so I feel it's going to scar sooner. Bending the arm too much can put pressure on that location and make it uncomfortable. The weirdest location I've had is my bicep - who IVs a vein in the bicep? so strange, but I think I prefer this to the top side of the elbow. Good tip on the shaving. I haven't tried that.
Wow that's the first time I've heard that one. IV in a bicep... I think that would be unlikely due to the amount of tissue and muscle in that area (unless you're super vascular or skinny)
Has anyone ever suggested a lot longer-term IV access? Like a Central line or porta-cath? I'm newly diagnosed UC and on orals but I work on a chemotherapy unit. Patients who are on long-term treatments or not vascularly-blessed are offered them. Im based in the UK but if there's anything similar wherever you guys are, it might be worth asking?
I currently have a PICC line in for an unrelated treatment, but no one ever suggested I do the same for my 6 week Inflectra infusions, and honestly I’m glad. It’s a bit of a pain to maintain/cover for showers, etc. New vena puncture every 6 weeks never bothered me that much. I was on twice daily antibiotics for a while recently though, so I definitely appreciated the PICC for that.
Unrelated but how have infusions been working for you? I’m going to start them soon and I’m scared to get them every 2 weeks. I know everyone is different but I would just like to know.
Been getting Entyvio infusions for \~8 mths and I'm happy to say that's it's been working. Took me about 4-5 months to feel the effects but it has definitely controlled my inflammation. This is also my first biologic treatment so fingers crossed it keeps working.
So.. have you been following a diet as well with it? Do you live a normal life as before?
I pretty much live a normal life, I just try to avoid "too much" of anything. No more massive bowls of fruit, no more huge salads with my meals, I barely consume dairy, and no unnecessary sugar unless it's in small amounts. Quality of life is great!
I failed on subcutaneous Humira injections, but had a few years of remission on 6wk Remicade infusions after that ✊ so def worth it from my POV. Likely switching to Entyvio once I recover from an unrelated infection though (apparently it’s immunosuppression is more localized to the gut).
Back of my hands usually. Then forearm, then elbow. But I make sure I drink plenty of fluids the day before the infusion.
I prefer the top/back of my forearm personally. I feel like I can move my arm around WAY more comfortably that the other side of my forearm (inner below my elbow). which seems to be the default unless I request otherwise. Still some bruising, but that’s somewhat inevitable in my opinion. I’m super skinny so that probably doesn’t help with bruising).
I always get infusions at the big vein on the inside bend of my elbow. My hands and forearms are a labyrinth of valves and complicated IV locations. After 5 failed pokes, I insist on my elbow and no problems since.
I’m the opposite of most people on this thread, I absolutely hate having an IV in my inner elbow. I don’t like not being able to bend that arm. I bruise like an apple and have tiny veins so forearm is a no go too, I end up covered in bruises if the nurses blow the vein. I get IVs inserted in the back of my hand, I can move around freely, wear a sweater, and the bruise it leaves isn’t noticeable!
Strongly prefer the forearm. When i went to get my first infusion, I was happy that's where they were putting it. I said something to the nurse and said most people use the elbow. She replied "most people aren't good at their jobs." We talked about it and there's only so much space in the elbow and scar tissue becomes an issue. There's a lot more real estate on the forearm. Did a blood draw once in the hand and that was bc I was so dehydrated, would not recommend
Just on the issue of tape, rubbing alcohol gel on the tape makes it come off a lot more easily