Crohn's Disease Support Group

I am going for my Remicade treatment tomorrow, hope they can find a vein!

Post edited by: bendertwins, at: 07/18/2011 04:13 PM

Always hated when they have to "find" a vein. Stay hydrated before you go in for treatment. This has helped me.

When i was on remicade i had to quit ...it gave me terrible headaches and was so

expensive...i was not poor enough to get assistance and not rich enough to continue

the treatments..

Staying hydrated helps...my nurses wrap my hands in warm towels to help my veins wake up...I know better there not sleeping they are running for cover my veins hate the infusion center good luck with your treatment

i've tried everything...i guess it just depends on your nurse..i have one ( margret) Whome i love when i go see her..she hits it everytime..then the other 2 ( which are really nice 2) always miss twice before they find one...the joys..

My daughter has remicade infusions as well, and with her just make sure to drink lots of water the day before, and they also put a heat pack on it prior to inserting the IV, and they also use this "buzzy the bee" thing that vibrates near the area and helps out in some way (but of course that is in a children's hospital). The best thing that has helped for her though is remembering to stay completely calm. If she starts to get nervous or upset at all, it instantly becomes extremely hard for them to find her vein...but if she stays very calm, easy breezy. Good luck, hope your infusion goes well for you.

Post edited by: karih, at: 07/19/2011 05:08 PM

My poor nurse never could find a vein. It got to the point where she wouldn't even try. As soon as I showed up she called down to the blood lab or someplace to get a "specialist" to do it. They always got me on the first try. I'm not sure why the infusion nurse couldn't.

The IV team, which is a team of nurses that start IV's all day long, always does my start. They soak me in warm soaks before hand also. I have had so many iv's in the past ten years i have alot fo scar tissue, and I am a redhead and fair which makes it worse. i had a really sweet nurse that actually listened to her patient, and stuck me where i know i have a good one....all it took, one stick. It is when they dont listen it erks me. I am very calm, getting and IV doesnt bother me at all...Remicade is my new bff....can feel the difference already today!

In the state of PA where I live, you can be on secondary medicaid while working, I have to pay a small premium for it each month, but covers the 800.00 copay my reg ins does not cover, for the REmicade tx. It is called MAWD- Medical Assistance for the working disabled. As long as you are working, and on a life sustaning meds they will cover you.