June 28, 2023
David had a blood transfusion with iron at our local hospital. He received two units of blood and one unit of iron. After the first unit of blood was flowing for around 30 minutes, the nurse started the IV on the iron treatment. The IV was inserted into his left hand. After 5 minutes or so, David became clammy and I asked if he felt ok. He said I better get the nurse. I called for the nurse and when she got there, David lost consciousness. His heart rate fell rapidly, and a Rapid Code was called for him. Many people from different areas of the hospital responded to the Treatment Room. I walked out into the hall to give them room to work if needed. He was out a few minutes and then I heard him talking to the nurses. As one was asking about seizure history, David’s heart rate dropped, and he lost consciousness again. He said he could feel it coming on as he spoke with the nurses. By this time, they had contact Dr. W who was heading to the room. David came to again and after speaking with him, Dr. W ruled out an issue with the blood being given and determined it was a response to the pain he felt in his hand from the IV called vasovagal syncope. Basically, this occurs when your body overreacts to certain triggers. Dr. W. explained this was something that would need to be mentioned to medical staff going forward. It is usually harmless and may be avoided by laying straight back while an IV line is being inserted or blood is being taken. Because it is such a dramatic response with a rapid decrease in heart rate, they attached an EKG to David as a precaution. David has always given blood and never experienced this issue but he said the IV line hurt and his brain locked on to that pain and ran with it. The EKG was normal. The transfusion was restarted and went well.
IN AND OUT AND IN AGAIN (-d)
What a day, huh? I think I was doing really well until the part where I decided not to let the nurse or anyone know that the IV going into my hand was really really painful. My logic was that if I could get through it and it cleared and worked (which it did), I wouldn’t have to go through it again. Which did actually work, I just had to make it through the passing out twice to get there. In hindsight, I should have mentioned it immediately. I suppose I give myself a few tenths of a point for mentioning that the room was closing in and everything was going fuzzy moments before I went out though. Really, really grateful for everyone who was there when I came to and the even more people that were there when I came to the second time. Also I can’t express how great it was to be listened to by them so that we could all understand what happened and what I needed to be watched for. It also gave me some valuable information that I still share with each and every person that starts an IV in me from now on. Sometimes it even earns me a special wrist band. 🙂
HOBBIES OF THE MOMENT: old western tv and movies, John Wayne, The Rifleman, Gunsmoke, etc.
[…] that starts the IV gets my standard “If you start it in my hand I may pass out.” warning. More on that in one of our first posts. But overall they’ve all gone […]