LymeNet Flash: Picc Line Question

This is topic Picc Line Question in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by mimi (Member # 6680) on :

hello everyone [hi]

It has been 5 days now since my picc was put in

and I began IV Premaxin. My arm is still very

sensitive and sore. I had pain in my arm pit of

the picc line arm during the procedure and I

still have periodic pain there. The nurse at the

hospital said it was spasms of the veins. Is

this ok? Any advice would be appreciated. I have

an appointment Wed. to get my second abx. clindamyacin(sp) added

Thanks for your help,
mimi

Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :

It usually takes a couple of weeks for the PICC line to settle in. Don't think you need to worry right now.

Make sure the doc or nurse checks the line this week, but it doesn't sound like this is anything major.

Bea Seibert

Posted by mimi (Member # 6680) on :

Bea, thanks so much that makes me feel much better [Smile]

Thanks again
take care
mimi

Posted by deb obrien (Member # 5239) on :

hi mimi - i've had my picc for a couple of months now and periodically i get pain in my armpits (didn't have before) worse on the side where the picc is....for me i think it's related to lymph nodes - i think that they are somehow involved in clearing the infection...
deb

Posted by blackbirdsings (Member # 7972) on :

I don't want to alarm you, but this happened with my PICC line and my pain was also in my chest area and down my entire arm into my fingers.

I was told not to worry about it. In my third week the pain got worse and I had several sharp stabbing pains in my chest. We called on call and they said to go to the ER and get an ultrasound.

I have a 2.5" inch blood clot that starts by my heart and goes into my armpit. I did not present like most clots do. I just felt worse than I had in my life, felt that something bad was going to happen, and I knew I needed help.

We could still access my line, the only symptom I had of a clot was chills when we put saline and heparin in the line.

If your discomfort continues, I would ask for an ultrasound. It is better to be safe than sorry. Not all lines have to be pulled if you have a clot, it depends on location and how big it is.

I was put in the hospital, put on blood thinners and my line was pulled.

I am telling you this not to scare you, but just so you are informed. We were all shocked to find out I had such a big clot, it was a very serious situation. I wish somebody had listened to my complaints about the discomfort sooner.

So get an ultrasound if it continues. That way you will know for sure if it really is just spasms or if there is something else going on.

I hope yours is just spasms and it goes away! Good luck :-)

Posted by mimi (Member # 6680) on :

Thanks to you all [Smile]

for your help Deb,

that's a good possibility I had not consodered

that. Blackbirdsings, WOW [Eek!]

I am so sorry

about your experience. I certainly hope that is

not my problem I will keep a close watch on my

symptoms.
Thanks again and Take care

mimi