Kelly,
If you are going to require a long term IV, like I had, will they placing a PICC line? Mine went in my upper arm. I had only occaisionally had an IV in the past, and not for more than a day, like for child birth, so I never knew how irritating they are for me! All three IV's in my hands infiltrated and it was SUCH a pain as well as painful, then they were trying all over the place so I now know what a pin cushion feels like too!  The PICC line was NOT painful after the initial day. My arm really ached badly the first night and day ( I took ES tylenol, and that worked fine), but after that, I got used to it and it was SO much better than an annoying IV in my hand that killed with every movement. I had it for 3 weeks. I think they last about 2 months. I think this is the way to go for you. Otherwise they'll be changing it every 2 days!
If you do get a PICC, the people who place them are expert, they just don't mess up! The home health nurse that came to my house did say that it was NOT neccesary how they sutured the PICC in my arm, so you may ask if they try to do that to you. The HH RN said that suturing *should* be reserved for the "wild" kind of person! (she suggested a the Biker type who might get in a bar brawl, LOL) I think the sutures made the most pain anyway, and I have a scar from them..
Missyb
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Re: Advice for IV problems
