When getting IV treatment, is there any difference in the possibility of effectiveness regarding a picc vs. mid-line? In other words, does one have a better chance of being effective vs the other?
Thanks.
-David
Posted by dmc (Member # 5102) on :
My llmd said to me when I asked, "It all goes through the heart eventually" since med goes in the blood.
I had asked him because I freaked when a doctor told me apic is put in chest. I think with pic you don't have to worry as much about it clogging and I think it can stay in longer.
My mom had a pic for months for her chemo (Breast Cancer)
I had midline put in at home by a nurse. I had to infuse with Heperin 2X day, to keep line open.
Posted by NoVAChick (Member # 9814) on :
I don't think there is a difference. The first time I did IV I had a PICC line. The second time, I had just an ordinary heplock from Monday thru Thursday.
The heplock situation was ideal because I could pull it out myself after my second Thursday infusion. Then I had a free 3-day weekend.
Never had a midline, so can't comment on that, but the Home Health RN had suggested it as an option to me before.
The efficacy of Rocephin was the same for me, PICC vs. heplock.
Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :
My LLMD said there was a big difference in penetration!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He said think of the arm vein as a water faucet and run your hand under it. Then turn it on full blast but think of it as a fire hydrant-that is the heart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He said it gets much better penetration throughout the body!!!
Posted by savebabe (Member # 9847) on :
I had problems with the midline pulling out and just not working. I would always opt for the picc. I had a vasular surgeon put it in so there were no problems. I was able to get about 10 months of use out of that line. \ Good luck.
Posted by blue43059 (Member # 9144) on :
Peripheral IV needs to be pulled after 72 hours.
Midline has to pulled after 1 month.
PICC Line may be left in place for 1 year.
Each of the above assumes that proper technique to prevent infection and complications is observed or the lines will have to be removed sooner.