posted
Any last minute tips from those of you who have done this?
Posts: 847 | From upstateNY | Registered: Dec 2007
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Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
Wishes and prayers for the best of the best.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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posted
Keltyl~ Your in my thoughts and prayers for the best, and that this treatment would help out in a great way. Take one day at a time.
I was on IV Rocephin for only 30 days and noticed progress after being off of the IV.
Posts: 515 | From In His Loving Care | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
Thank you for your kind words. I am really nervous, I guess mostly learning how to do all this myself after my ins quits paying in 28 days. Sat. a nurse will come in (only once a week), then starting Sun. I'll have to do it myself.
Posts: 847 | From upstateNY | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
Hi, I understand the nervousness, but it does go very quickly and the only thing that hurts is the lidocaine. (Numbing agent before PICC.)
Your arm will hurt for about three days, then (if you are like me) you won't even notice it. I had one for seven months. I would cut the foot off my husband's tube socks and cover it that way.
I'm sorry to hear your ins. will cut you off after 28 days; your doctor may be able to get you more med if he appeals. Especially if you have coinfections. God bless you, I will pray for you.
Posts: 374 | From United States | Registered: Nov 2008
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posted
Can someone explain PICC and PORT for me? I've only done orals so far. That may change.
-------------------- Sick since at least age 6, now 67. Decades of misdiagnosis. Numerous arthritic, neuro, psych, vision, cardiac symptoms. Been treating for 7 years, incl 8 mos on IV. Bart was missed so now treating that. Posts: 765 | From nw ct | Registered: Sep 2008
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Good luck keltyl
You will have no problem learning how to care for the PICC yourself. If you have questions you can always ask us.
Wear a button up shirt or a large loose fitting shirt to the hospital for your procedure. I learned the hard way, form fitted long sleeve shirts are difficult and painful to put on after the PICC placement.
Plan to take it easy over the weekend. Your arm may be sore for a couple days, try to rest it. You can take Ibuprofen and apply warm compresses to the site to help relieve the pain.
Try not to worry. You will do well!
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
Thanks all again...I may need to ask some questions.
James...I wasn't given the option of picc or pot, and I don't know what the difference is either.
Posts: 847 | From upstateNY | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
A Picc is a peripheral inserted central catheter= a line from your arm that runs up your arm towards your heart.
A port is centrally located directly in your chest.
Ketyl, the herx is hell but worth it in the end. Lots of support is good. Don't let them tell you that you can't feel it, that's bs. But the discomfort does fade over the days.
Watch the skin under the dressing for subtle changes- I developed adhesive and chloraprep allergies that forced me to pull my picc and go to daily infusions. You can change the dressing type and disinfectant to get the right one that works.
Get a arm cuff for the shower- or have someone ready to tape. You can order them from medical supply online at various sources.
You will be ok, and I will be thinking of you. Good luck.
Posts: 524 | From Hudson Valley, NY | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
The port is installed surgically into a chest, and is attached to an artery near the heart. It consists of tubing with a tip on the end where it is infused.
A PICC is a thin wire that is snaked up an arm to the heart. It's essentially similar to having an typical IV.
One has to be much more careful with a PICC as it's far easier to break. So one has to watch their activities.
A port is much more hardy, you can stay very active, with minimal restrictions. And you can shower with it.
The port has a much larger diameter tube so that infusing is MUCH faster.
My friend has had both. The PICC took an hour to infuse. She can infuse the port in less than 15 minutes.
She broke her PICC during sex (not overly active either). The port is essentially unbreakable. She works for an airline and can continue to lift heavy luggage without problems.
The PICC is easier and less complicated to install. The Port is much easier to use and harder to break. Neither is something one wants if one can avoid it.
I hope that helps explain the differences.
Ask your Dr or google it.
James
Posts: 872 | From New York City | Registered: Jun 2008
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