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Does anyone else have to change med bags/remove IV
Ok, So I had the IV Nurse come to my house and get me set up for Solumedrol..I've never had this before..She was an elderly nurse and did this job as a hobby. She stayed with me thru the first dose to make sure I didn't have a reaction to it.
She brought a huge bag full of supplies..tubing, IV bags, gloves etc..she showed me how to set up/disinfect the thing in my arm, how to clamp off the tube..It was very intimidating. I felt like I had to learn to be a nurse in 2 hours.
She also said that I could remove my IV on the 3rd day..it was very easy. Well, I am completely alone when I do the treatments and also removing the IV. My hubby is in Iraq..unfortunately because he is a combat life saver and knows how to do this stuff. Great timing huh?
I feel like this is not normal. In fact, my Family Dr here was so upset about this and the fact that I had never been on Solumedrol before, he felt I should have gone to the hospital for it. He was under the impression from my neuro's nurse that I have had this before. ie: flare-up and steroids..
My neuro up in Seattle, called the Dr down here to request this steroid because he felt I was having an exacerbation. I have had Vertigo for a week and antibiotics didn't help when thinking it might have been sinus..
Now after reading other people's post, I feel like someone should do this for me. Why is my insurance paying for something that I am doing myself? Has anyone else had to do their own IV stuff? I am nervous that I won't remember everything. She left me a sheet of directions and assuered me that she has set this up for many other MS people in the past. Maybe its the way of the how our healthcare system is now..the patients do more things??
Thanks for your responses!!
Kristi
She brought a huge bag full of supplies..tubing, IV bags, gloves etc..she showed me how to set up/disinfect the thing in my arm, how to clamp off the tube..It was very intimidating. I felt like I had to learn to be a nurse in 2 hours.
She also said that I could remove my IV on the 3rd day..it was very easy. Well, I am completely alone when I do the treatments and also removing the IV. My hubby is in Iraq..unfortunately because he is a combat life saver and knows how to do this stuff. Great timing huh?
I feel like this is not normal. In fact, my Family Dr here was so upset about this and the fact that I had never been on Solumedrol before, he felt I should have gone to the hospital for it. He was under the impression from my neuro's nurse that I have had this before. ie: flare-up and steroids..
My neuro up in Seattle, called the Dr down here to request this steroid because he felt I was having an exacerbation. I have had Vertigo for a week and antibiotics didn't help when thinking it might have been sinus..
Now after reading other people's post, I feel like someone should do this for me. Why is my insurance paying for something that I am doing myself? Has anyone else had to do their own IV stuff? I am nervous that I won't remember everything. She left me a sheet of directions and assuered me that she has set this up for many other MS people in the past. Maybe its the way of the how our healthcare system is now..the patients do more things??
Thanks for your responses!!
Kristi
OMG!! I am so freaked out right now after hearing everyone's opinion. I did the 2nd bag by myself, I had to flush the vein with saline last night before going to bed to stop a blood clot.
I got up this morning and flushed it again before setting up the bag. I am a nervous wreck about this. I am having to have my 12 yr old daughter take out the IV after my 3rd bag because I can't do it 1 handed.
I am most definately going to make a complaint about this. I have never had a flare-up before, nor had to have Solumedrol before.
My arrn is sore where the IV is..hopefully everything is ok there. I am assuming I did it right today..I made sure to wash my hands well, use alcohol wipe on the tube thing hanging out of my arm..I am still concerned about infection tho.
I would have gone to an infusion center but with my vertigo, I wasn't able to drive myself. I think a nurse should definately had to come each day to do this..it seems totally weird to me.
I guess, if I come thru it ok, I will be soo thankful! I have 2 sisters in nursing school, each of them in other states...ironic. They would love to "practice" on me..
Thanks everyone! I thought I was just being a weenie.
Kristi
I got up this morning and flushed it again before setting up the bag. I am a nervous wreck about this. I am having to have my 12 yr old daughter take out the IV after my 3rd bag because I can't do it 1 handed.
I am most definately going to make a complaint about this. I have never had a flare-up before, nor had to have Solumedrol before.
My arrn is sore where the IV is..hopefully everything is ok there. I am assuming I did it right today..I made sure to wash my hands well, use alcohol wipe on the tube thing hanging out of my arm..I am still concerned about infection tho.
I would have gone to an infusion center but with my vertigo, I wasn't able to drive myself. I think a nurse should definately had to come each day to do this..it seems totally weird to me.
I guess, if I come thru it ok, I will be soo thankful! I have 2 sisters in nursing school, each of them in other states...ironic. They would love to "practice" on me..
Thanks everyone! I thought I was just being a weenie.
Kristi
I have never heard of such awful Home therapy. My experience is the total opposite. You are not the nurse, isn't that what they are there for?? Sounds crazy...
My home health nurse, different one each day for the Steroids, came at the appoinment time. They set it all up, started the IV and stayed until it was over. She checked my vitals (BP, temp). Put everything away and then would came back the next day. It never changed. (They each brought hard candy for me also, in case I got the metallic taste.)
I cant believe they would have you do all of this. Very irresponsible home health care, in my opinion. I am sorry you have to go through this on your own. I think the insurance company should pay you for your time and "expertise"?!
Can you go to the hospital for this in the future?
Thoughts are with you,
Michelle
My home health nurse, different one each day for the Steroids, came at the appoinment time. They set it all up, started the IV and stayed until it was over. She checked my vitals (BP, temp). Put everything away and then would came back the next day. It never changed. (They each brought hard candy for me also, in case I got the metallic taste.)
I cant believe they would have you do all of this. Very irresponsible home health care, in my opinion. I am sorry you have to go through this on your own. I think the insurance company should pay you for your time and "expertise"?!
Can you go to the hospital for this in the future?
Thoughts are with you,
Michelle
I am bigtime in favor of the hospital Infuson Center. That's what they are there for. I consider home infusions for people who are not medically trained irresponsible. Cheap, but irresponsible.
Q
Q
I had home infusion for IV solumedrol the second time I was put on it. My husband was alos in Iraq when I had to do that home infusion, what a coincidence.
I had my first dose in the hospital and frankly, would have been really anxious to do that for the first time ever at home. If you are not in bad shape as far as walking, which I was at the time I was hospitalized, you don't necessarily need to be in a hospital to have it, but you should have been sent to an infusion center.
My home infusion was a disaster. My vein collapsed the second day and I couldn't get the medicine to "push" without forcing it. I called the nurse who started it and she was whining about having to come because she had to put her kids to bed and this or that. She had to come the next day to start a new line for the 3rd and last treatment. Oh and the vein that I had to "force" the meds throuh became inflamed and painfully red and that lasted 3 months before it went away.
I am not a fan of home infusions. Some people don't have a problem and prefer it over an infusion center, but not me. If you start having problems it is best to be in a center where there is a nurse to take care of it right away.
Tricare would prefer to do it at home, but you don't have to. Just have your doctor order it be done at the infusion center and you won't have any problems is you have to ever go on it again.
As for all the supplies they give you...Keep them, they could come in handly later.
Take care and I hope the meds work for you.
Julie
I had my first dose in the hospital and frankly, would have been really anxious to do that for the first time ever at home. If you are not in bad shape as far as walking, which I was at the time I was hospitalized, you don't necessarily need to be in a hospital to have it, but you should have been sent to an infusion center.
My home infusion was a disaster. My vein collapsed the second day and I couldn't get the medicine to "push" without forcing it. I called the nurse who started it and she was whining about having to come because she had to put her kids to bed and this or that. She had to come the next day to start a new line for the 3rd and last treatment. Oh and the vein that I had to "force" the meds throuh became inflamed and painfully red and that lasted 3 months before it went away.
I am not a fan of home infusions. Some people don't have a problem and prefer it over an infusion center, but not me. If you start having problems it is best to be in a center where there is a nurse to take care of it right away.
Tricare would prefer to do it at home, but you don't have to. Just have your doctor order it be done at the infusion center and you won't have any problems is you have to ever go on it again.
As for all the supplies they give you...Keep them, they could come in handly later.
Take care and I hope the meds work for you.
Julie
I'm sorry that this happened to you. While I was taught how to set up the line and get the medication running, that was after my upteenth dose of steroids, so I was an old pro. Also, the nurse ASKED if I would be willing to learn how to do all of that. That being your first experience with steroids period, I agree that that was wrong of her to leave you. It sounds like she's been doing IVs for so long she just does the same thing with everybody, and doesn't take into account that everyone is an individual and she should tailor her care as such!
I agree with Lulu, that you should call the company (I know when I've had it done, they leave you a folder with stuff and there should be the company's name on there somewhere) and let them know about your experience. Explain that you are new to steroids, much less IV medication, and are not comfortable setting up the IV yourself. If they are a reputable company they should immediately send another nurse out to help you.
Not the same situation, but the first time I had a home health nurse come out for steroids, she stuck me 6 times and could not get the vein. Apparently I "tensed up and made my own veins collapse" (?????). I guess it was my fault that she couldn't find a vein? Sheesh. Well, after the 6th try I said no more, and she called the company, and fortunately there was another nurse in the area, who in five minutes came out. He got me in one stick. The company should be on your side and want to get you someone that will help you. The second nurse I had, and the one I stuck with, was wonderful. He stayed throught the IV, or sometimes would leave to do something but then come back just to take out the IV, knowing I was squeamish. You should be able to have a nurse like that.
So I would definitely call the company to let them know what happened. And in the future, if this happens again, tell the nurse that you are not comfortable with doing it yourself. He or she should then stay with you. If not, then I would most definitely complain with the company! Hopefully though, that won't happen again.
I'm giving you good nurse vibes!! Good luck :-)
I agree with Lulu, that you should call the company (I know when I've had it done, they leave you a folder with stuff and there should be the company's name on there somewhere) and let them know about your experience. Explain that you are new to steroids, much less IV medication, and are not comfortable setting up the IV yourself. If they are a reputable company they should immediately send another nurse out to help you.
Not the same situation, but the first time I had a home health nurse come out for steroids, she stuck me 6 times and could not get the vein. Apparently I "tensed up and made my own veins collapse" (?????). I guess it was my fault that she couldn't find a vein? Sheesh. Well, after the 6th try I said no more, and she called the company, and fortunately there was another nurse in the area, who in five minutes came out. He got me in one stick. The company should be on your side and want to get you someone that will help you. The second nurse I had, and the one I stuck with, was wonderful. He stayed throught the IV, or sometimes would leave to do something but then come back just to take out the IV, knowing I was squeamish. You should be able to have a nurse like that.
So I would definitely call the company to let them know what happened. And in the future, if this happens again, tell the nurse that you are not comfortable with doing it yourself. He or she should then stay with you. If not, then I would most definitely complain with the company! Hopefully though, that won't happen again.
I'm giving you good nurse vibes!! Good luck :-)
Kristi,
This just sounds wrong, wrong and wrong! Am I remembering you are under tricare? Call and tell them, don't just ask, that you must have a home health care provider present.
Stress that this is a safety issue - if you encounter a problem, you are all alone and have no one there to help. If this doesn't work, call your neuro - both of them - and leave messages with their services. Even though it is the weekend, someone is picking up messages. Let them know how this is being handled and tell them you need help if you are to complete this treatment.
I am so sorry this is going so wrong - hang in there and be vocal until someone understands that problem.
be well,
Lulu
This just sounds wrong, wrong and wrong! Am I remembering you are under tricare? Call and tell them, don't just ask, that you must have a home health care provider present.
Stress that this is a safety issue - if you encounter a problem, you are all alone and have no one there to help. If this doesn't work, call your neuro - both of them - and leave messages with their services. Even though it is the weekend, someone is picking up messages. Let them know how this is being handled and tell them you need help if you are to complete this treatment.
I am so sorry this is going so wrong - hang in there and be vocal until someone understands that problem.
be well,
Lulu
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