posted
Hi all, I dont have a PICC yet, so we are using peripheral lines in the mean time. I have one placed every week and the old one removed.
SO I have had this particular line for 5 days, and started noticing bruising...3 days after it was placed. They are pretty hard core bruises and there are several. The thing is they arent at the insertion site, they are along where the vein travels.... and they hurt.
I do not usually bruise, and this has never happened before.
Any ideas? I really dont want to pull my line....
Posts: 844 | From CA | Registered: Apr 2010
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Please notify your home care nurse. They need to come evaluate your arm. The site and the vein should not hurt, you should never see new bruises popping up like that.
Also, CDC recommends that peripheral lines be changed every 72 hrs to prevent infection and phlebitis. You may want to talk with your doc and nurse about this.
If you need several weeks or months of IV then a PICC is more appropriate for you.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
Thanks Sammy. The vein doesnt hurt-- its the bruises that hurt, and there isnt any redding around the inesertion site, so i don't think its infection related.
CDC also recommends against treating Lyme ;-)- lol. Some Dr's use peripherals for a while to make sure you tolerate IV meds before having you get a PICC.
I'll probably get a PICC soon. I dont have a home care nurse, my Dr's office handles the infusion services, but I will call them on Monday. Thanks!
Posts: 844 | From CA | Registered: Apr 2010
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
Some abx are really hard on the smaller peripheral veins and really should be administered only in the larger central veins to which only a Central Line or PICC can give access...
So this might just be a case of inflammation from what is being infused.
I do agree you need to be in contact with your doctor about this.
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Even though CDC doesn't properly acknowledge Lyme yet they do have many guidelines that do serve to protect and help us.
The bruising that you are experiencing really isn't something to ignore. Bruises that hurt near the vein of a peripheral IV can be a sign of blood clots.
If the vein or area around the vein becomes tender that can be a sign of phlebitis. Redness there is not good either.
I would remove the IV to be safe. If you really want to keep it, make an appt with your doc tomorrow so they can assess it.
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