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Harm Reduction Leaving an IV in

B

BlueIV

Bluelighter
Joined
Apr 22, 2014
Messages
256
I'm having a procedure done at the hospital and I'll need an IV there. The procedure itself puts me at risk of having more life-threatening attacks that I need to treat via self-infusion. I'll need at least one regular dose at home in the recovery period. I'm concerned about having to start an IV when I'm on pain meds, probably not eating and drinking normally, etc, especially if it becomes an emergency situation. I've been told numerous times that I don't have easy veins to work with at the best of times.

Has anyone left an IV in for a few days when not in a clinic? Did you have an issues with it?
Do you think it's reasonable for me to leave it in until I'm feeling better? I would be supplied with saline to flush it if it stays in.
 
I had a PICC line in 2006, which I hated, but I was receiving chemo drugs, and most of the Oncology patients had them. Yes, it was easier to keep it in vs being IV every appointment, which as 3x per week back then.

Do you have a picc line, central, or peri cath, or what? Where is it located?

Just be sure to keep it clean, as you can get infections. Otherwise, keeping communication open with whom is doing your treatment is key. Many patients have IV/picc lines for a period of time, and do fine.

DO NOT use this to IV street drugs, please. Not saying you're a user, just warning you.
 
They don't give me much info. I'm assuming it will just be a cath, probably in my hand as this should be for less than a week. Once I'm out and at home it's my husband and I who are responsible for my treatment. If it's left in, it's at my request, not because they are recommending it.
 
BlueIV said:
They don't give me much info. I'm assuming it will just be a cath, probably in my hand as this should be for less than a week. Once I'm out and at home it's my husband and I who are responsible for my treatment. If it's left in, it's at my request, not because they are recommending it.
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Sending you well wishes for your treatment. I only asked because if I knew the location, could give you better advice.

HIV/Aids patients mostly had the PICC lines back in the 80's/90's, which being left in, caused some infections in some patients. PICC are very common for cancer patients as well.

If you have any ?'s once you get the IV in place, feel free to PM me. I can't substitute medical advice from your, but will talk.

Just keep the area clean, and you should be fine.
 
I'm in the hospital now on IV and the standard procedure is to change the site every 4 days to avoid infection.
 
LilikoiMoon said:
Sending you well wishes for your treatment. I only asked because if I knew the location, could give you better advice.

HIV/Aids patients mostly had the PICC lines back in the 80's/90's, which being left in, caused some infections in some patients. PICC are very common for cancer patients as well.

If you have any ?'s once you get the IV in place, feel free to PM me. I can't substitute medical advice from your, but will talk.

Just keep the area clean, and you should be fine.
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Thanks for the info!
 
Foreigner said:
I'm in the hospital now on IV and the standard procedure is to change the site every 4 days to avoid infection.
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Good to know. I anticipate wanting one in for 5 days max, starting from when I need an infusion a few hours before I'm put under. Hopefully less. The plan is for me to stay for 24 hours after the hospital and I'm most concerned about the 24 hours at home after that.
 
^ that's how it was last time I was in hospital as well, they were required to change location after the 4th day.
 
I'm very grateful to have this thing in. It was really kinda sketchy that I got to go home with it, a kind nurse let me go with it in and sent me with supplies. The physical trauma from the surgery keeps causing me to have attacks. I'm running low on flush supplies though - if I can't get more of those tomorrow I'll be back to what I usually do. Hoping that I can find the stuff I need at a homecare company and if not I'll try the ER.
 
It was lost when I tried to use it yesterday. Not sure if it's worthwhile to getting another one at this point - I'm hoping I won't be having too many more attacks.
 
I am not a doctor or nurse.

I believe the rule is to change lines every 24 hours, lest you contract sepsis. It's bullshit that you're left to figure this out yourself. If you are at all concerned, you go to the hospital and you tell them to change your fucking lines or you'll take their asses to court for malpractice. How is it that you have ended up in such a potentially dire situation? No money? No insurance?
 
Keif' Richards said:
I am not a doctor or nurse.

I believe the rule is to change lines every 24 hours, lest you contract sepsis. It's bullshit that you're left to figure this out yourself. If you are at all concerned, you go to the hospital and you tell them to change your fucking lines or you'll take their asses to court for malpractice. How is it that you have ended up in such a potentially dire situation? No money? No insurance?
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Canadian - I can't just pay for them to put one in.
 
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