IVS changed every 24hrs??

[Ryan_cfsupporter]

So my friend has cf and has been in hospital since last week. She has a port, but lately hasn't been working. They gave up on port & put in IV, but changing it every 24hrs...is that normal? I thougt IVs were good for few days. She's just miserable & wondered if this was normal to happen.

 

[triples15]

Hi and welcome Ryan!

So sorry your friend is having a rough time, but it sounds like she's lucky to have you for support. What a bummer that her port isn't working. Peripheral IVs are certainly no fun. Are they changing the IV's every 24 hours as a policy? Or are the veins infiltrating (blowing), leading to a new one having to be placed? I have never heard of a peripheral IV having to be changed every 24 hours as a rule, but for me (and many CFers), peripheral IVs don't last longer than an infusion or 2 because of antibiotic doses we are given. I would ask if the meds are being infused as slowly as possible in order to try to keep the IV as long as possible. Also, what about a PICC? I'm guessing since she has a port maybe they have exhausted all of her veins with prior PICCs, so maybe that is not an option. However, I had a port for a few years, and have gone back to PICCs since my port broke a few years ago and they are working better than before I had the port! Weird. She could ask to have the PICC placed in interventional radiology where they use ultrasound and xray to help place the line. That has been a godsend to me. Just some suggestions, not sure it applies to her, but wanted to mention it in case it helps!!

Good luck to your friend! You are both very welcome here with any questions/concerns/anything!

Take care,

Autumn 34 w/CF

 

[Ryan_cfsupporter]

Thank you, Autumn! I talked to her this evening and it is because of her veins, not policy. They had to do 5 sticks today & said they're running out of places, so we'll see what happens.

 

[triples15]

Thank you, Autumn! I talked to her this evening and it is because of her veins, not policy. They had to do 5 sticks today & said they're running out of places, so we'll see what happens.

Oh what a bummer. I guessed that it was that they were blowing as opposed to policy, but you never know because hospitals are always changing/updating policies.

Ask her if a PICC is an option at all, like I said it may not be. I know that what I mentioned about interventional radiology sounds scary, but it's not. It's SO much better than the old fashioned way of placing PICCs, and a PICC is so much better than peripherals. I hate that she is having to endure all those new pokes and infiltrated veins. Talk about painful.

Is she good at being her own advocate? Sometimes it's necessary to be a little bit pushy in the hospital to make sure you're getting the best care possible!

Thanks again for looking out for her,

Autumn