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Remicade IV site

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Posted 2/27/2015 4:32 AM (GMT 0)
Just curious about something. Is it bad to get your IV in the same spot every time? My left elbow is where I always get it because that's my best vein. Got it on the left (more medial side; towards my body) of my right elbow once and once on my right forearm but I almost passed out when she did that cuz it hurt like a mother you know what. I'm just wondering if it's possible for my vein to collapse or become damaged or anything or if 8 weeks is enough time in between for it to heal. Tried Googling it but all I got was info on IV drug use lol. Not helpful. I have an infusion tomorrow so I was just thinking about it. I'll ask my nurse tomorrow too.
Posted 2/27/2015 12:09 PM (GMT 0)
Shouldn't make any difference on an 8 week cycle. Ibhad regular blood monitoring at weekly and biweekly schedules and I had skin discoloration at the site the used for awhile. I'm now every three months and the discoloration went away.

If you're worried about it, have the other arm done.
Posted 2/27/2015 12:26 PM (GMT 0)
Caitie I wondered the same thing. Let me know what your nurse says. I'm going to ask mine as well at my next infusion.

Caitie / iPoop- what blood work did you guys get done at first? I've seen you both post about it. My GI has yet to mention being monitored. I have my last of the loading doses in a few weeks. I just asked for a full blood work up including b, d and liver because I thought it was important while I'm pregnant. Is there specific bloodwork that needs to be done while on remicade?
Posted 2/27/2015 12:36 PM (GMT 0)
Bloodwork is only required for 6mp, Imuran, or aza (as they lower your white blood cell count, and it cannot get too low). Remicade has no blood monitoring requirements, entirely different medication and mechanism of action. I am on both 6mp and remicade. The blood monitoring was for 6mp.
Posted 2/27/2015 12:47 PM (GMT 0)
I get blood tests every 6 months. Not sure if it's for remicade or just to see how I'm doing. I don't know what he checks for. I know hemoglobin is one because it was low one time so I had to take iron.
Posted 2/27/2015 12:47 PM (GMT 0)
I asked the IV nurse that once. She said that as long as the vein keeps working then there is nothin wrong with getting it in the same place every time. I also get it in the same spot or at least in the same area.
Posted 2/27/2015 12:50 PM (GMT 0)
Good to know. If the vein stopped working though would it be too late by then? Like would your vein already be too damaged? I'm not too worried about it. My nurses know me and when they ask what arm I say "well we usually do left" and they've never said anything like "maybe we should do a different site" before.
Posted 2/27/2015 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
If an vein stops working, the blood reroutes to another. There is always potential of vein scarring or the veins have tiny "valves" that can be damaged but since we go in every 8 weeks,the veins have a chance to heal. I've been on Remi for 3 1/2 years and except for a few IV location variances, I've not had an issue.
Posted 2/27/2015 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
I had scarring on my vein when I was getting a lot of blood work. This was around the time I was on 6mp. It didn't ruin the vein or anything but it made it much harder to draw. They tried once and couldn't get any blood so I had to switch veins. The one that had scarring is fine now. I have been getting bloodwork with my infusions. I have a bit of anxiety about the veins too. With entyvio, they push the meds through really fast, and I worry it's going to harm the vein. I've been using the one in the side of the hand lately. When I had scarring I was seeing a hemotologist and I literally had blood drawn more than once a week. after 8 weeks you should be healed 100%.
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