2nd Orencia treatment a bust --- no treatment, problems with veins

[Guest guest]

Good Morning all -

Well, my second Orencia treatment was a bust, the nurse couldn't give it to me

because he couldn't get my veins to stay still to start the IV line. He stuck

me 7 times and left 2 large bruises. I've always had bad veins. He says me can

stick them with the needle but when tries to run the IV line, my veins close off

and when pulls the needle back out blood goes everywhere.

After the 3rd stick, I knew he wasn't going to be able to get my veins to work.

It's weird my body just shuts down when any technician or nurse tries to put a

needle in my veins. I've been this ways since I was a little girl.

Anyway, I'm rescheduled for next Friday, which has thrown all my treatments off

by a week.

The nurse told me to drink plenty of water, especially Thursday before my Friday

appointment. The only problem with that is my cardiologist has limited my water

intake and has me on diaretics because I retain fluid especially around my heart

and in my lungs. So I'm in a catch 22.

Years ago when my rheumatologist first talked about starting me on IV drugs, he

mentioned putting a port in my arm or neck so the nurses wouldn't have to fight

with my veins. Has anyone had one before? Is it painful, what are the side

effects or cons of having one? A friend of my had one while on chemotherapy and

she said it was lifesaver.

Thanks,

K