posted
Can anyone give me some links or advice for PICC basics, as I'm hoping to get one soon.
Mainly: -- what are the best ways to wrap it to shower? -- can one ever take actual baths and how? -- are there good links for self-maintenance, i.e. if one has someone to change the dressing, etc.? -- what protocols are working best for people these days who have PICCs and multiple infections? -- should I be taking natural anticoagulants *besides* chocolate which I plan to liberally snarf down to keep my blood flowing and clotting to a minimum? : )
Any help appreciated.
Posts: 929 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Oct 2007
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I have seen PICC lines that are well taken care of last as long as two years.
Your first question is a very valid one because if a PICC dressing gets wet, there is no guessing, it absolutely needs to be changed. Warm, wet areas are perfect places for bacteria growth. And, you don't want an infection in a central line as it is threaded to your superior vena cava in your heart.
For patients that I've cared for, I've placed plastic over the PICC dressing and liberally used waterproof tape to wrap the ends of the plastic. Even then, the dressing sometimes became wet and I simply changed the dressing.
Some companies claim they have a product that can be used to cover the PICC dressing for bathing. I do not have any experience with this as I've only worked with PICC lines in a hospital setting.
I am unsure how to answer your third question regarding protocols for peeps with multiple infections. My initial response would be to treat the cause of the infection. At the same time, learn the proper techniques to care for your PICC: flushing the line or lines, proper use of saline and heparin flushes, sterile dressing changes, proper use of a biopatch, etc...
PICC dressings need to be changed weekly. If you haven't heard of it, a biopatch is a cloth, spongy, circular device with a slit exactly one-half the diameter of the patch. With the help of the slit in the patch, you place the patch directly on the insertion site and the PICC line now comes out the middle of the biopatch. The biopatch will help with infections as it slowly releases an anti microbial over seven days, thereby reducing infections.
Watch out for redness, swelling, and pain at the PICC line insertion site. These would be signs of infection.
As far as anti-coagulants, perhaps you MD would be the best to help here as he would know your PT, PTT, and INR levels.
Be well, TheWino
**please do not take this post as advice as it is intended to be for informational purposes only.
-------------------- Wrinkles only go where the smiles have been --J. Buffett
All of my replies should not be taken as medical advice as they are my opinions only and I am not a physician. Posts: 55 | From Florida | Registered: Oct 2012
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posted
Google "Infusion for Lymies" and download the 30 or so page booklet. Its got dated info but much is still applicable.
For a PICC protector look up DryPro Picc Protector. Order a size slightly smaller than you measure, if too tight you can trim some of the tapered ends off to loosen. If too loose you will need to return for smaller size.
Posts: 119 | From ground zero | Registered: Mar 2014
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posted
Drycorp.com product called Drypro -for PICC line protection. I called their representative and they gave me addresses of pharmacies in my area that had this product in store, so I could try on the protector and pick the right size.
It worked well for me, I was able to enjoy the my summer vacation, swimming and taking showers no problems.
Posts: 191 | From va | Registered: Sep 2008
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posted
My son used the Drypro for PICC lines. It was great. He could shower and even swim in the pool.
-------------------- Son, 26, Dx Lyme 4/10, Babs 8/10 Had serious arthritis, all gone. Currently on Valtrex Daughter, 26,bullseye 7/11 arthritis in knees, cured and off all meds. . Self:Lyme, bart, sxs gone, no longer treating. Posts: 496 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Jul 2010
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beaches
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38251
posted
--what are the best ways to wrap it to shower?
Saran wrap and tape
-- can one ever take actual baths and how?
Not that I know of
-- are there good links for self-maintenance, i.e. if one has someone to change the dressing, etc.?
IMO your best bet is to have a nurse come in once a week to change the dressing.
-- what protocols are working best for people these days who have PICCs and multiple infections?
IMO IV 4G rocephin and IV 500 mg zith pulsed 4 days on/3days off combined with diflucan on the 3 days not on zith along with tindamax pulsed 2 weeks on/ 2 weeks off is an excellent pcl. And don’t forget probiotics and supplements. But of course discuss with your doc.
-- should I be taking natural anticoagulants *besides* chocolate which I plan to liberally snarf down to keep my blood flowing and clotting to a minimum? : )
That is something to discuss with your doc If clotting is an issue, discuss fish oil, Vit E, lovenox, etc.
Posts: 1885 | From here | Registered: Jul 2012
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