LymeNet Flash: anyone have trouble with a peripheral IV line

This is topic anyone have trouble with a peripheral IV line in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/30708

Posted by lymemomtooo (Member # 5396) on :

My daughter had a blood clot on her picc line and now is pulsing thru a peripheral line that is supposedly doing it's thing Mon-thurs and then out and we will repeat next week.

So far we have had major problems..The first line was only ok for 3 infusions and then the line somehow moved and when she flushed it wasn't going in the vein and was very painful..I took it out and called the nurse.

They had to come yesterday and put a new one in and we got one infusion before another blockage or something..The line is taped down and I can't see how it has moved but she said it is very painful and swelling outside of the vein when she tries to infuse..I tried to flush before calling the nurse and she screamed in pain..

Anyone with anything similiar?? lymemomtoo

Posted by arg82 (Member # 161) on :

Hi,

Sorry your daughter is having such a hard time. I haven't had similar problems but I did have to have a peripheral line put in for about a week while waiting to get my PICC put in two years ago. I didn't have trouble with the peripheral but it doesn't seem like a very good long-term solution.

Why not get another PICC put in? Or, if she's going to be on IVs for a while and pulsing them, ports are another option. I have a port in that was put in in July and I used for three months of pulsing of Rocephin (4 days on, 3 days off). I was expecting a longer course of IVs but I developed complications. Now I still have my port in and am waiting 'til I'm okay to go back on IV treatment. Just another option to think about.

--Annie

------------------
``The best way out is always through.'' -Robert Frost

Click here to join Lyme Pals.

Click here to see my Lyme journal.

Lyme Out Retreat Information Webpage

Posted by arg82 (Member # 161) on :

Oops, double posting for some reason.

[This message has been edited by arg82 (edited 14 January 2005).]

Posted by Carryon (Member # 4951) on :

Hi Lymemomtoo,

I agree with Annie, the peripheral lines are not a good long-term solution. I had peripheral lines for over three weeks at the beginning of my IV treatment because of difficulty in organizing a PICC (long story).

The veins are difficult to find as they have to find a new spot every few days. It sounds like the line is not in correctly and the infusion might be going into the tissues instead of the vein.

I found it torture to have the nurse try to find a new vein all the time and sometimes the spot where they put in a line turned out to be painful as it was crossing a joint in my hand or some other reason.

A PICC is so much easier. Good luck.

Carryon

Posted by lymemomtooo (Member # 5396) on :

Thanks Annie and CAryon...She has had 2 piccs..The first one fell out due to wet steri strips and the second was removed due to a blood clot..

Think the Doc is waiting to see that the blood clot thing is over before a new picc line..And not sure what caused it..She did take a massive overdose of prescription drugs just before Christmas and not sure if they or the antidote, or just it being a foreign object caused the clot..Think with time she will have a new one..

Carryon, you guessed right...The IV was in muscle and not the vein...Ouch! and I thought my daughter was just pulling something..Mom is stupid again...

Posted by Carryon (Member # 4951) on :

Good to hear that you found the reason for the pain. Do not beat yourself up. Understanding what is going on is very difficult. Wishing you and your daughter all the best.

Joan