by Beth » Sep 02, 2004 11:36 pm
Hi, just wanted to tell you that getting the reglan pump was the best decision I could have made! I had the trouble with anxiety when they gave me Reglan via IV, but have not had any problem with the pump version, except for some very mild restlessness at times. Then again, I was also in the middle of moving, so that may very well have been the cause.
Some things that I've done that helped with the pump:
I found that if I leave the needle in longer than 48 hours, my leg is a little sore afterward. I change the site every two days, but some have found that they can go longer without needing to move it., while others have had to move it more often. (I think two days is the usual recommendation from Matria, the nursing people).
If you use an ice pack for a few minutes before putting the needle in, it will numb the skin (I learned that one here, thanks guys!). Just make sure you hold off on taping it down until the chill and any wetness is gone before putting the tape on.
Although you don't have to, I found that using a couple pieces of cloth tape over the adhesive pads that comes with the injection site kit was a big help. I use one or two pieces on top of the "button" (you'll see) and one a little lower to keep the tube in place. Otherwise it can pull out a bit and need to be changed more often, especially if I'm very active.
I also use a permanent marker to circle the spot where I last inserted the needle. That way, I can be sure that I'm at least an inch away from the previous one or two sites.
One last one, if you are given a rate of, say, 250/hr, this means that it will go through 1000 ml in 4 hours. So, if you're below 2000 and going to bed, you may want to change the cartridge before going to sleep at first. Sorry if that sounds like I'm stupid, but my brain was so mathmatically challenged I really had to think it out. Must have been the glucose deprivation...
I sure hope that your experience with the pump is as good as mine! I ended up in the hospital every couple days for a time, and haven't been nearly that bad since. The vomiting still comes and goes (and you can get "extra" doses of meds through the pump if needed), but the nausea is much easier to handle now, less intense and not as prolonged. I also do the unisom/B6 thing, which helps too.
I really hope that you hit on something that helps. Sounds like you've got a lot on your plate, just thought I would share some things that helped me with the whole pump thing. I hope you post again when you can to say how you're doing...hang in there!
Beth