I've been a ghost for a while. That's due, mostly, to treating Babs and feeling like a truck ran over me.
I'm having a PICC placed next Friday. I'm so scared. I nearly had a panic attack just reading about the procedure.
Does it hurt? What should I expect? Any strategies?
Thanks so much!
Posted by triathletelymie (Member # 26456) on :
I had a picc line placed 5 weeks ago and I, too, was scared! For the first 24-48 hours, my arm was in excruciating pain...not discomfort, but PAIN!!! That has subsided, for the most part, and I barely notice the picc anymore. Occasionally, I will feel a twinge of minor pain/discomfort, but that has been rare past the first week. It's really not that bad.
The biggest annoyance that I have with the picc line is not getting it wet. I wrap it with a plastic newspaper bag and then cover it with plastic wrap anchored with rubber bands. That has worked so far, although washing my hair in the shower with only one hand is a bit of a challenge (and, I'm sure, kind of comical looking too! ).
It was put in by a radiologist in a hospital. They wanted to put it in my right arm, since it was a more "direct" route. Since I am right handed, I asked if they could use the left arm, which they did. That was a wise move, I think.
I am pretty particular about keeping it dry, clean, etc. and the visiting nurses that come to change my dressing every week always comment about how good it looks...clean, dry, etc.
If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me.
Good luck!
Posted by Florence1 (Member # 22960) on :
I have had 3 piccs, I didnt feel them going in but I had some discomfort after the procedure but ultimately it went away and it was fine....
Posted by dmc (Member # 5102) on :
If your PICC is placed in a hospital as out patient you won't feel a thing.
I just had alittle discomfort after. (achy, sore arm)
I do not recommend getting it placed by some nurse.
In the hospital there was some kind of overhead scanner so the IR(Intervential Radiologist) could insure PROPER placement.
Didn't feel a thing and gabbed to whole time w/ the IR & crew about dogs.
Posted by Dawn in VA (Member # 9693) on :
Totally agree w/dmc. I'd also NOT recommend it being placed by a nurse, but must be done via live X-ray in a hospital setting.
They will first clean the area really well, inject some lidocaine as a local anesthetic, and then insert the PICC.
I was TERRIFIED beforehand and went through a lot of unnecessary anxiety. I had to have 3 separate placements in one month way back when due to issues along the way, and all placements went OK.
I'd also like to add that I would ask for stitches in which to hold the PICC in secure place once it's in there. There's some kind of thingee that goes around the end of the line near your arm and then lies flat against your arm (maybe 1/2 inch or so) with holes in it for that purpose.
Posted by wtl (Member # 19883) on :
This might not apply to you...
My wife went in just two weeks ago for PICC. Two nurses came, both stated they had a lot of experience with PICC line. They kept telling my wife that it wasn't a big deal. Then they asked me to wait outside.
It turned out I was outside for two hours. The nurses came out and said they failed to put it in. They tried both arms, twice on her left and once on her right. They said the reason was not that they couldn't find her veins but that she has a lot of nerves growing in the area that prevented the line to go through (I have no idea what that means). So they suggested to have the PICC line with fluraloscopy (spell?) that a radiologist can perform, but that needs to be a different prescription from the doctor.
In the end, her doctor decided to just get a port in. Her out-of-State llmd concurs that the port is a better option.
But seriously, her both arms afterward look worse than a life time druggie. I am not kidding...
You might be lucky like others said here.
Good luck.
Posted by keltyl (Member # 14050) on :
Have had 2 piccs put in at a hosp. No pain, no problems.
Posted by greengirl (Member # 25316) on :
Thanks so much guys. I am going to a radiology department to do this. Have any of you ever tried one of these:
My son has the PICC line and has had it for 6 months or so. The procedure was quick and painless for him he has never complained about it. He does have neirological symptons of lyme and does not communicate about it. But we change the dressings in the home and he never pulls away because there of pain while changing the dressing. I hope this eases your concerns.
Posted by sick of lyme-1 (Member # 28839) on :
No, I have not, I use Hefty shrink wrap. I have not had any water problems with this method. The nurse at the radiology department offered this information.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
greengirl, the DryPro PICC covers work great. Mine lasted about a year with daily use. I purchased mine from the manufacturers website. Customer service is excellent.
I found plastic wrap too difficult to apply by myself. It is much easier to use the DryPro PICC cover.
I've also had all of my PICC lines placed by nurses in the hospital. They use ultrasound guidance to make sure that it is placed properly. I had no bruising from the procedure. No matter who places the PICC either radiologist or nurse, your arm will still be sore for a few days after the procedure.
Rest, warm compresses (20min 3x daily), and ibuprofen can help relieve the pain and inflammation.
Good luck Posted by 2young2die (Member # 25434) on :
The doctor had a hard time placing my picc, I have very small veins. It took about 1/2 an hour, unusual for him. It was sore and I had some bruising.
It was 3 months before I felt comfortable with the picc and it didn't hurt. My biggest challenges were the adhesive dressing and tape used over it. I found out that I was allergic to everything.
I ended up using an Opsite 3000 transparent dressing, only Betadine to clean the skin and never using any steristrips directly on my skin.
Keeping it dry in the shower is another hurdle. My arms are partially paralyzed due to ALS so its hard to cover the arm myself. I use a disposable milking glove and johnson/johnson waterproof tape to seal it at the top. Works great!
Posted by greengirl (Member # 25316) on :
Thank you everyone. It's taken about a week, but I'm starting to feel much more confident with the line. I had one trip to the er for an U/S b/c there was some concern about clots. I, too, had a reaction to the first type of dressing.
I'm in the worst pain, now, ever. I pray for some relief soon.
Posted by WIGGY (Member # 15377) on :
Greengirl,
I'm going to order that PICC cover as wrap is
hard for me to do myself.
I hope you get some relief soon!
Posted by lymeboy (Member # 24769) on :
My veins are huge. The picc insertion wasnt painful atall for me. Afterwards, for a few days, it was a little uncomfortable. But it went away. All in all I had no bad experiences with it. keep it clean and wrapped.
Posted by azdaisy (Member # 25357) on :
Hi there Greengirl! hope you are doing well. Ive had my PICC for over a year and it was strongly suggested by two PICC nurses NOT to use the compression dressing like dry pro that could damage the line...you don't want to put another one in if you don't have too... I use Glad press and seal and tape! works like a charm. I leave my netting on to absorb any water that gets through and its easy peasy! I use tegaderms and providone ONLY! its been over a year and its all just fine. for me I had chest pain the first 10 days until my heart settled into having a roomate, but its so nice for all the injections and blood draws..i'm sure you'll be glad after a while! xoox
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