I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions) => Topic started by: angellady07 on February 04, 2008, 11:13:34 PM
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When the parmedics started an IV it became infiltrated. My question is how long does it usually take to heal ? I'm being treated with antibiotics. The IV was on my hand and I still can't make a fist. The center of the wound looks black. Last Wednesday the in center nephrologist said I may require plastic surgery. I don't care what my hand looks like, I just want to be able to use it. Help ...............
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God that sounds horrible!
How long was the infiltration happening? Did they treat it with cold or warm compresses? Seems like such extensive skin damage shouldn't have happened, especially to the degree that plastic surgery may be required! The veins in the hand are so small - when Jenna was in the hospital for her bladder surgery I had to constantly fight for the nurses to remove the uncomfortable IV's from her hand, even when they started to balloon up, they'd argue about it until I threatened to page the doctor myself. We know tissue damage can occur if not dealt with in a timely manner. Be sure that you're getting it checked frequently, that there's no infection and that there is no circulatory impairment. I am so sorry angellady!
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I noticed it because the site became painful. I don't know exactly how long it was out. The in center nurse informed me today I am dealing with an infection. It was originally treated with a warm compress but not right away.
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Geee, I cant say how long for healing, but I hope it heals quickly, sorry you have to deal with this :grouphug;
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This sounds like when my mom was in emergency and the nurse 'blew out' her vein in the top of her hand. Is that the same thing as infiltration? My mom's hand swelled to twice its size in a matter of minutes and turned black and purple! It hurt like heck too. They put a warm compress on it.
Hope you feel better quickly. The heat helped mom a lot. The swelling went down within 30 min, but stayed bruised for days and looks okay now.
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if the wound is black, my guess it'll take about 2 weeks to get normal skin colour back,here's hoping no plastic surgery :thumbup;
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Thanks for the replies. I'm upset because none of the docs seem to know how to treat my hand. One said it looks to him like a " chemical burn". I don't know what to do.
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Try this link for more info - it was slow to load and the pictures are graphic, but there's good description of the stages of infiltration:
http://community.nursingspectrum.com/MagazineArticles/article.cfm?AID=12209
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Thanks so much, Karol.
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I saw my nephrologist on Tues. He referred me to a hand surgeon/plastic surgeon. They have tried several antibiotics in center to no avail. I'm going to call and make an appt. today. I hope I receive good news.
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I hope you get good news too, good luck :thumbup;
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Dependant on "what" infiltrated into the tissue can make a difference also. Some medications injected into the IV fluids can cause necrosis or damage to the surrounding tissue. Do you know if it was just saline or if they injected any medication either into you at the hub or into the IV fluids.
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Thanks for your reply. They believe the damage was caused by phenergan. But they used multiple meds through that IV before it was discovered. I have an appt. tomorrow with the hand specialist. :thx;
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Just a update from my appointment last week. I've been on vancomycin (sp) to treat the infection. The hand surgeon also prescribed silvadene cream for me to apply topically. I see him again next week. I may need revision surgery.
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Sorry about all your troubles. How are you feeling now? Can you make a fist yet? Ouch, I know it is alot of pain. :grouphug;
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Thanks for asking, Traci. It's still swollen around my knuckle area and the infiltration site doesn't seem to be healing properly. No, I can't quite make that fist yet.
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I was infiltrated two times, but nothing like what you are going through. I hope it gets healing fast. Sounds like it has gone on too long. Praying for ya.
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I've been infiltrated several times. IV AND Hemo. It is NOT fun. I wasn't as bad as you, though. Man, I hope they are able to get it to
the point where you can use the hand. The things we go through. :cuddle;
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Wow it sure did some damage! I hope it continues to heal.
You need this...
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:rofl; :rofl; I remember a few nurses/techs that I would have worn that shirt for in center!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love that! Especially the one tyhat tried to blame it on me moving. :boxing; :boxing;
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Pink is my color too. :clap;