Time taken to load 4 syringes

[floopyjim]

Does anyone else get annoyed with the time it takes to load their syringes when preparing for scig?  I'm on subcuvia and have to get the contents of 7 10ml vials into 4 20ml syringes.  it takes upwards of 30 minutes to complete (by which time my fingers hurt because of pulling back on the syringes!)

What size vials do you use?  How long does it take for you to prepare?

James.

[marksmom]

Hi James -
Mark's dose isn't as big as yours, but one tip I've learned from trying to prime it through the tubing - once the medicine is in the syringe and the tubing is attached, I prime it by pressing the plunger of the syringe on flush on the table and pushing down on the syringe while holding the needle sets in my hand so I can see where the igg is in the tubing. It was very difficult for me to prime just by pushing the plunger, and I have found using the counter/table for leverage helps it go a lot faster and is easier on my hands!! It takes me about 10 minutes to prep for 20 ccs. I hope this helps, and if I sound confusing, let me know & I'll try to be clearer!

Rachel
Mom to Mark, 13, CVID

[john]

Hi Jim,
I have to get 90mls into two 50 ml syringes. This comes as 4 x 20ml vials and 1 x 10 ml vial.
To load the syringes takes about 4 minutes total.... Longer is the getting all the packaging off the gear, peeling off the vial labels and filling in the log book!!
I suppose all in all getting to the point of beginning the infusion takes about half an hour, and each syringe is emptied in an hour, making the whole process two and a half hours long.
When I did IVIg the infusion took two hours and it was only once every three weeks, but then I did have two hours travel to the clinic!

[floopyjim]

I realise it sounds like a whinge (OK, it IS a whinge!) but the vials are tiny - there is approx 2ml of air in the top so getting enough in to get the liquid out is a nightmare.

I did read about some people removing the rubber bung to speed things up but decided against it as I realise it's part of the aseptic environment.

Can't imagine trying to get 90ml into my abdomen - even with my larger than normal stomach it still takes over two hours to empty the four syringes!

[glowing]

It seems I'm luckier than most as my husband prepares mine for me.

[kane18]

Hi
Would using larger needles help? Some can be quite narrow which can make it difficult and strain your hands. Are you able to recieve your immunoglobulin in 20ml bottles, or is this not an available option?

I infuse 50ml of hizentra per week which comes in x2 20ml viles and X1 10ml. I fine using larger needles easier especially when drawing from the 10ml bottle.

Hannah