IV port with Tysabri?

[Spydre]

I'm a difficult stick to get an IV in. The nurses all know that at my infusion center, and now it's come down to the charge nurse has to stick me. While they were sticking me Monday, it was bantered about maybe I should get a port, because of all the scar tissue, and my veins rolling.

As it is, if this doesn't happen, I'm asking my doc if I can get on BG-12 when it comes out, because sticking me has become torture. The drive down there, the sitting, and the drive back is bad enough, but add in the problems sticking me, and it's almost intolerable.

So has anyone done this? Or is it even possible to do just for Tysabri?

[22cyclist]

Power Port

I'm a difficult stick to get an IV in. The nurses all know that at my infusion center, and now it's come down to the charge nurse has to stick me. While they were sticking me Monday, it was bantered about maybe I should get a port, because of all the scar tissue, and my veins rolling.

As it is, if this doesn't happen, I'm asking my doc if I can get on BG-12 when it comes out, because sticking me has become torture. The drive down there, the sitting, and the drive back is bad enough, but add in the problems sticking me, and it's almost intolerable.

So has anyone done this? Or is it even possible to do just for Tysabri?

I had one put in just for Tysabri. It was because my veins were shot and they couldn't even draw blood from me anymore much less start and IV. I love my port. It is so easy now to just go in and get hooked right up.

I also use it for blood draws, and IVSM infusions. NO MORE IVS or sticks! WHEW...wish I had done it sooner.

[MarkLavelle]

Not for Ty, but I had a port put in for my chemotherapy back in 1996. The infusion nurses recommended it after the first session (and I was only going to be having four monthly 2-day infusion sessions)!

I would do it again, but you should know that if you do get one and later stop Ty, you'll probably be needing to get it removed, too. When you don't use a port on a regular basis it gets clogged and eventually becomes unusable...

[lindaincolorado]

I have had nurses that stuck me up to 3 times before getting in a vein. I have since learned to hydrate and actually a small cup of coffee works best for me. I know, "they" say don't drink coffee but, it's been great for me. I, also, keep my arms warm. A fill in nurse about 3 years ago said I had deep and rolling veins-I now tell every nurse this.

I now go to the Univ of CO medical center (where the RMmsC is located) - they have been marvelous, only once did a nurse have a problem and that's our of 20 I just had my 74th infusion

Best wishes

[Spydre]

Hubby is wanting me to wait, see what happens if I lose weight. But they had trouble 30 pounds ago, and frankly, why does he think I'll be able to lose this weight. The weight gain was medication induced, and I've never been able to lose that. The nurses have assured me that it's not the weight that is making me a difficult stick, but the scar tissue on my veins. I need to call the infusion center Monday, see if they think my weight is contributing to it, and then call my neuro and see what she thinks.

[cocogirl]

My nurse told me on Tuesday that many were getting ports for the Tysabri. I asked who determined if it was needed. She said that the infusion nurses would let the MS specialist know if it became a problem getting a vein and then he would order it up.

I will keep on this way right now but I was in the hospital for a month in the summer and numerous IVs, blood draws, and Vancomycin which destroys veins because it is so caustic. She felt that I would probably be getting a port in the next month or so.

[gresh3]

Port for Ty

Several years ago I had a bad exacerbation and to take steroids by home health care I had to have a port.
The insurance would not approve it, but I was put in hospital for pain and they did it then. I then started Ty with a port, but for some odd reason they would NOT use it for the Ty.
They stuck me again and again with a port. They would not even take it out.
I had to have a home health nurse come to the house to take it out. I can't remember what their excuse was, but it did not make since.