Something interesting happened after my Rocephin treatment today. We start off fine...painless insertion, FANTASTIC new nurse, chair near one of my favorite Lyme friends. But, after 10 minutes, my arm starts burning...not uncommon, but important enough to note (Especially since my pain, which usually starts at the site of the IV and extends up my arm, happened at an entirely different location).
Concerned, I mention it to Santa Maria -- my nickname for the bubbly new IV angel. After looking things over and discerning a) the needle is in the vein and b) the pain isn't unbearable), we decide it's probably harmless -- just another reaction to overactive nerves.
Unaffected, I finish the treatment and head off to lunch..feeling shaky, but no worse for wear. Within 1/2 hour, the above mark appears on my arm....along with several tiny red dots surrounded by white circles (if you look closely, you can see one towards the bottom right side of the rash).
The red "anchor" has now disappeared, but the white circles remain (resembling flat insect bites). I'm having all kinds of weird symptoms/reactions lately (back/rib pain, shortness of breath, ice pick pain in the shoulder, etc), but this is the only one that's visible.
Altered Today: Questioning Herx? Healing Crisis? Rocephin Allergy? Or, Something Else?
INTERESTING! And during a Rocephin treatment. Hmmmm...that ART testing may be on to something. You know I have to say it...I'm sorry about your weird rash. ;) I hope it doesn't hurt anymore!
Posted by: Melissa | 07/08/2011 at 11:09 PM
I know. I thought the same thing. However, the white circles give me pause. They look like wasp stings or SOMETHING. Makes me think it's a healing reaction. It will be interesting to hear if anybody else can relate. I remember somebody posting photos of rash reactions a while back online. Also recall people getting bullseye rashes after treatment. Maybe this is my version??? Send a photo to the doc...just in case.
Posted by: Alter Everything | 07/08/2011 at 11:18 PM
Do the white circles itch? Are the raised? I had something similar when I first started having allergice reactions to the NSAIDs I was taking. I was told they were "internal hives". Could that be it?
Posted by: Laina | 07/09/2011 at 10:41 AM
Hmmm...no itching or burning, just discoloration (only burned for a few minutes when the IV was in, but didn't feel it later). Internal hives...that's interesting. If it's an allergy though, wouldn't I have more marking at insertion?? It seems like I would get it all over my arm.
Curious, from a nursing perspective, can veins possibility have little holes in that area maybe causing slight seepage?
PS Nothing's raised. Everything flat, flat, flat.
Posted by: Alter Everything | 07/09/2011 at 10:58 AM
Seepage is definitely possible, especially on a person with chronic illness and someone who has a lot of infusions. That's just really strange. Hope it's nothing and goes away quickly!
Posted by: Laina | 07/09/2011 at 03:36 PM
Hmmm...interesting concept about the vein having holes and it seeping out. That would make me worry about your veins though, Kath. Let me know what Dr. K says!
Posted by: Melissa | 07/09/2011 at 06:05 PM