Guest guest Posted September 12, 2005 Report Share Posted September 12, 2005 Heidi: This is not a medical opinion but a personal opinion but I think they just get worn out from all the use. I at one time had one vein they could use for yeasr and years and a radiologist blew it with dye and it has never worked again. They were probably trying to put in a double or triple lumen PICC line that just means it has more than one port at the end to put stuff into. All these lines are classified as " central lines " they just have different names. I don't know if this helps anybody but this hospitalization I just got over, all 12 days of it I actually managed to have a regular IV the whole time. They moved them a lot but I managed to get away w/o having to have anything put in. I had one vein believe it or not in my elbow that lasted the whole four days they could leave the IV in and it didn't hurt, nothing. But, they had to take it out and move it. Where I am going with this is, in my case a couple months aog they discovered I have a disorder called Factor V Leiden. It is a genetic predisposition to blood clotting. Not the full Factor V disorder but this particular thing in my case means it is just on one side of the family. The treatment the recommended for me was Lovenox injections (thats a blood thinner they inject in the belly) whenever I have an IV or any kind of central line. I am beginning to think that when they would get a vein before, it was clotting up. The last two PICC lines I had I got blood clots that is why they did the testing. It doesn't straighten my veins out at all. They are still small and crooked that is the problem. But if they can get one, the vein seems to last a little longer. The day before I came home the IV infiltrated and I didn't let em put it back in and tried the oral meds and they worked. Gotta do it sometime. so it was a different experience. But, right now I bet they couldn't find a vein if it was staring them in the face. My arms look like I have been in a war! Again, I think it is a consequence of having a chronic disease and just wearing things out! Take care Heidi. You are in my prayers and your family and son! Kaye - In pancreatitis , " Heidi " <hhessgriffeth@g...> wrote: > > wrote: > > > What I hate most is when someone tries to stick me and they don't > believe me when I tell them about my veins... > > Thanks to one nurse who wouldn't take my word for it, she blew the > only vein I had left < > > > Kat, , Kaye and all.... > > What is it about our veins? Why is it that we all have so many > problems getting stuck? I, too, have rolling, tight veins, and it's > always a problem for them finding one to use. > > Three of them, one in left arm, and two in the right, one at inner > elbow and the other two between elbow and wrist, have been completely > blown. That was two years ago, and they still don't work. > > When I was in ICU with the DKA they tried for over an hour to put one > thing in, (and here I have to admit to total medical ignorance because > I don't know what the " thing " is called), but it was a " thingie " that > would have multiple lines in it that could be used for different > purposes. Anyway, they had this guy from the anesthesia group trying > to put this " thingie " in my wrist, and he stuck and dug away at me for > an hour without success, he'd numbed the site first, but that > medication had died off and it hurt like hockey sticks. The poor guy > was sweating with the effort, but I was livid and tired with it all. > He never could get it in. Was that a PICC or a central, or what? > > My question is, why is it that so many of us have this problem? > > With love, hope and prayers, > Heidi > > Heidi H. Griffeth > hhessgriffeth@g... > SC and Southeastern Regional Rep. > Pancreatitis Association, Intl. > > Note: All comments or advice is based on personal experience or > opinion only, and should not be substituted for consultation with > your medical professional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 Heidi all I can say is I love reading your posts, and you are so wise. I think I am on my 7th or 8th year with this disease and I am still here. I must admit I sometimes feel that my 7 years are up, but today I feel I am going to be around for along time if I take care of myself. I have a problem of running my energy battery down before it has even recharged. Thanks Heidi for all your wisdom and practical thinking Paget Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 2005 Report Share Posted November 7, 2005 Paget, Thanks so much for your kind words. Comments like that really brighten my day. I loved your expression about running down your battery before it has even recharged.....you don't need to be an " EverReady " , but an " Energizer " would be okay! Take care and be well. With love, hope and prayers, Heidi Heidi H. Griffeth www.pancassociation.org/anthology#Heidi.html SC State & SE Regional Representative Pancreatitis Association, International Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or opinion only, and should not be substituted for professional medical consultation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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