This seems scary, anyone have any experience with this?
Did it help?
Posted by dmc (Member # 5102) on :
yes, & yes. Not scary when done in a hospital as out-patient sugery.
There are quite a few on here w/PICC lines.
up for imput from those with a PICC now.
Posted by saved10 (Member # 18413) on :
They are going to put it in my arm is that where most of you have it?
Posted by Florence1 (Member # 22960) on :
yes...I have had 3 all upper right arm......all worked well............
Posted by Need Lots of Help (Member # 18603) on :
yes, I had a PICC line for three months. There is some mild pain associated around the insertion site for about 2 days, then after that the only pain comes weekly with dressing changes.
Posted by blinkie (Member # 14470) on :
I'm PICC'ed! Had a PICC(this is my second) since the end of January.
I just get a lot of rashes and itching from yeast and allergy to adhesives. Other than that, I wish I had done it sooner.
Posted by Jane2904 (Member # 15917) on :
We are looking into a Picc Line for DD.
Are there any medications given and numbing agents used for insertion?
DD is so sens to many things and just want to prepare ahead of time.
How long does the discomfort last after the line is inserted? Where will the pain/discomfort be located? Just want to make sure we understand the difference between normal and time to have it checked out discomfort.
Also anything else we should know about?
Thanks so much.
Posted by poppy (Member # 5355) on :
Yes, numbing agent used. Mine were never painful, just noticeable for a few days, then nothing.
People who are sensitive to one type of dressing can use others ordinarily. I never had any problem with tegaderm, though.
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
If you are planning on long term abx, like more than 6 months, why not consider a port.
They last longer with less trouble and much more freedom in doing things.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
They do use a local anesthetic at the site before starting the procedure.
My PICC line really did not hurt at all when they were putting it it. I just felt a weird tugging/ pulling sensation, that's the best I can describe it.
A couple hours later after the placement my arm started aching. Motrin ( ibuprofen) and apply a warm compress to the site relieved the pain.
You want to use warm compress, not cold because the cause of the pain is inflammation and blood vessel spasm/ constriction. The heat relaxes the blood vessels and allows them to dilate back open. This relieves your pain.
Baby the arm for a couple days so you don't get pain (from the spasms again), muscle pain in the arm, or bleeding at the site.
Once your arm is healed in a couple days, you can pretty much resume normal activity. Just be careful not to lift heavy weights with that arm or do too much repetitive motion, you'll feel sore if you do.
Showers are easy with a PICC if you get a DryPro waterproof PICC cover. You can even swim with the cover! I got mine directly from the site, customer service helped me with knowing what size to order after I measured my arm. The cover lasted with daily use for over a year!
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