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Portacath Experiences?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 8/8/2010 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
I had a remicade infusion recently and the nurse asked me if I had ever considered a portacath. I have very small veins and they roll. Occasionally a nurse can get an IV started on the first try, but 5 tries is not unusual and some digging around is expected. I've been on remicade for a little over a year and am tolerating it well, so hope to be on it for a long time.

After discussing it with my gastroenterologist he set me up with an appointment with a surgeon. I'm leaning towards doing it, but would like to hear from anyone who has done this.
Posted 8/8/2010 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
I can't help with this as I've never had it, but just wanted to say that if I ever have to go on Remicade, I will insist on one.

I was in the hospital 7 days with my resection. I had to have the nurses redo my IV 9 times due to infiltration because, like you, I have tiny veins which roll and collapse on me. I even had one nurse that I had removed from taking care of me because the IV blew and she refused to change it. I think it was coming up on shift change.
Posted 8/9/2010 4:27 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the additional perspective. I'm quite familiar with blown veins.
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