LymeNet Flash: Getting a Picc line today

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » Getting a Picc line today

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Author

Topic: Getting a Picc line today

trimom
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 25843

posted

Getting picc line today.

Any helpful hints on caring for it? Or living with it?

Posts: 120 | From MA | Registered: May 2010 | IP: Logged |

gmb
Unregistered

posted

Do you have a waterproof protector?

Check out a DryPro. Its the best I've seen.

I've had my PICC since December 2011. Only issue was a light rash that went away when we switch to an �Alcohol/Betadine� type dressing.

I recommend that you ask fo this dressing ASAP before a problem starts.

Good luck after a month or so you won't know you have it, except when preparing for shower/bath

gmb

IP: Logged |

trimom
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 25843

posted

I will have a nurse come by tomorrow to teach me about infusion.

I'll check out the DryPro.

Procedure went smoothly.

Posts: 120 | From MA | Registered: May 2010 | IP: Logged |

kmasters
Junior Member
Member # 39251

posted

Hi, is the picc line placed in a doctors office?

Posts: 5 | From nj | Registered: Oct 2012 | IP: Logged |

gmb
Unregistered

posted

Download a booklet called "Infusion for Lymies". It's well done and funny at times.

My PICC was inserted at a local vascular services Out-Patient facility in an OR like room.

The first dose of Rocephin was administered under close watch by nurse staff in case of allergic re-action.

Some have it done at a hospital.

IP: Logged |

Ellen101
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35432

posted

trimom so glad to hear all went well!

Posts: 1748 | From United States | Registered: Dec 2011 | IP: Logged |

WendyK
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 18918

posted

Glad to hear it went well! I second the recommendation for the DryPro cover, it worked great for mine.

I used different cut up leggings or socks that matched outfits to hold the tube out of the way.

Keep it dry, and do overdo it (i.e. don't lift heavy stuff with that arm) and it should go well. I too ended up hardly noticing it after about a month.

--------------------
Wendy

Posts: 253 | From Near Albany, NY | Registered: Jan 2009 | IP: Logged |

desertwind
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25256

posted

Yes, keep it clean and dry!!! [Smile]

...

How often is the visiting nurse coming by each week?

Posts: 1671 | From Tick Infested New Jersey | Registered: Apr 2010 | IP: Logged |

trimom
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 25843

posted

Procedure was done at outpatient vascular center and took about 5 minutes.

Plan is to have visiting nurse come tomorrow then weekly.

After I got home from picc procedure, infusion company called twice once to make sure we were good to go for tomorrow. Second was the billing office asking for a credit card in case our insurance didn't cover it since my Western Blot wasn't positive. I'm IgM band 23 positive. I was so angry as they told me a week ago I was approved for 28 days from my insurance. I told them CDC says Lyme is clinical diagnosis. They were covering their behinds and making sure I'd be okay paying.

If and when my insurance doesn't pay I'm going with a cheaper option not infusion company. I can reconstitute vials of meds and put them in a saline bag. I have friends that are RNs that would likely help change the dressings.

A supervisor of the infusion company called me back. I'm angry that mainstream medicine din't/couldn't find out what is wrong with me despite doing so many tests and dr visits (ins paid for it all) and assured me I didn't have Lyme and now that we know what's wrong, insurance won't pay.

Posts: 120 | From MA | Registered: May 2010 | IP: Logged |

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