posted
I am getting my PICC line removed tomorrow morning, and replaced in the other arm. It is causing pain near the clavicle, and when I try and flush it it feels like it is going out and up my neck. Trying to draw blood causes electric pain, while little blood return, and when it doesn't hurt it returns fine.
If I were to guess I would say there is at least a hole in the line, can that happen? Can it break way up there? I am concerned about the consequences of a broken PICC line.
Has anyone ever had it break halfway? Or gotten a hole in it?
thanks,
gambler
Posts: 243 | From chicago | Registered: Dec 2005
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hiker53
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 6046
posted
When they pull out the picc line (which is painless) there should be a colored tip on the end furthest in the body. Mine broke, but broke on the outside of the body. Hiker
-------------------- Hiker53
"God is light. In Him there is no darkness." 1John 1:5 Posts: 8878 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
Thanks for the info, I will try and make sure they measure and do everything right.
I have had the line for 6 months and had aches and twinges, but last night I was suddenly like--something's wrong and I reached to pull it out. But I thought of the blood on the rug if I did that and I decided to wait for my nurse,
I think the position of your shoulder can cause pressure on the line and cause it to clamp up, and maybe cause you some pain.
gambler
Posts: 243 | From chicago | Registered: Dec 2005
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
Mine broke but it was a rare product defect!!!!! They rushed me to the ER and it was scary. Yours doesn't sound broken!! Not like that! It is an emergency if it is and it does not sound the same at all-
I hope you get your problem fixed, though- whatever it is!!!! Take care, Best wishes, Sarah
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
I am scheduled for a PICC insertion this week, and these "problems" are getting me VERY, VERY NERVOUS!!!
Posts: 43 | From Suffolk County | Registered: Mar 2007
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As your doc if he can order a chest xray just to be safe. The tip may vary depending on the manufacturer but for the most part an experienced clinicial will be able to tell if there is any part of the line missing,
Kings park, California is correct. This is a rare occurance. As long as you take care of your line you should be fine don't fret...
I hope this helps,
Blessings,
Julia
-------------------- Please consult your LLMD before making any changes to your treatment regimen. Posts: 641 | From NJ, USA | Registered: Oct 2001
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But they still couldn't get blood return, they said it just happens. Whatever...
The line had come out quite a bit but I really think I had pinched my line and caused a small hole in it, but they said it couldn't happen, and they didn't take me seriously, when I said it hurt my neck.
I have lived with the thing in my arm for 6 1/2 months, infused about 540 hours with no problems, and suddenly it is causing electric shocks up my neck when infusing, but nothing's wrong?
I am so tired of this....
gambler
Posts: 243 | From chicago | Registered: Dec 2005
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I don't have a PICC, yet, but I've had experience with not being taken seriously for a very serious matter. It turned out I had to change physicians to get proper help. I ended up in the ER 5 times in 5 weeks. Each time the ER dr. started to help me, he would get on the phone to the dr. who did the surgery who then told him, "It's impossible! The patient doesn't have pain. Nothing's wrong."
Well, as it turns out, the new dr. did surgery on my to correct the problem. Ever since then, the pain has been gone. One of my main pain symptoms was "electric like shocks". These shocks could also be felt by others sitting next to me. it definitely wasn't imaginary. Whatever possesses a dr. to say "The patient doesn't have pain." How on earth would he/she possibly know? It isn't his/her body.
Glad you stuck to your guns and got it replaced!
Hang in there! Kayda
Posts: 582 | From midwest | Registered: Nov 2006
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quote:Originally posted by gambler: Thanks for your kind thoughts, MIchele...
I got my line replaced today.
But they still couldn't get blood return, they said it just happens. Whatever...
The line had come out quite a bit but I really think I had pinched my line and caused a small hole in it, but they said it couldn't happen, and they didn't take me seriously, when I said it hurt my neck.
I have lived with the thing in my arm for 6 1/2 months, infused about 540 hours with no problems, and suddenly it is causing electric shocks up my neck when infusing, but nothing's wrong?
I am so tired of this....
gambler
No one took me serious when I said mine JABBED me in my heart a couple months ago. They all said it wouldn't be detectable because it's the size of a spaghetti noodle. At best, it would "tickle." This was my 4th PICC in two years, and I know what it feels like when it "tickles" the heart.
My feeling, however, was brought on by a car hitting me, and jamming my arm (the one with the PICC) back in to my body. I couldn't flush the line, nor could I get blood return.
I'm 25, and now have extensive heart problems that immediatly followed this incident. But, according to the quacks, it's just a terrible coincidence.
I have had extensive experience with "positional" PICC lines, ones where you have to turn your head, lift your arm, rub your belly, and hop on one foot in order to use. It's more of an annoyance than anything else.
-------------------- Sometimes when I say �Oh, I�m fine� I want someone to look me in the eyes & say �tell the truth�
DId you get a 2nd opinion or a 3rd? Sometimes you gotta move mountains. I believe you. I have no idea why the MD's don't. Did they lose all their common sense in med school?
I think it is outrageous the way patients are mistreated.
Kayda
Posts: 582 | From midwest | Registered: Nov 2006
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lymewreck36
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4395
posted
I once had a crack in my pick line, years ago. It caused the pick to leak blood. I reported this to my lyme doc who told me to pull the line immediately because the crack could cause infection. I got off the phone and just pulled the line out myself. It took all of five seconds, was painless.
The I.V. company acted like I had done the impossible by removing my own pic. Don't know what the dangers of that are, but my lyme doc was terrified of infection, so I just did it.
The thing just slides right out.
Hope you are doing better.
Lymewreck
Posts: 1032 | From North Carolina | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
Where are the different places they can put a PICC line?
Do they put you asleep when they put it in?
And I think I remember someone recommending one brand over the other regarding the PICC line??
Posts: 310 | From TN | Registered: Jan 2007
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DId you get a 2nd opinion or a 3rd? Sometimes you gotta move mountains. I believe you. I have no idea why the MD's don't. Did they lose all their common sense in med school?
I think it is outrageous the way patients are mistreated.
Kayda
My PICC lines were always left in until they absolutely had to be taken out, due to clotting, end of treatment, or my homehealth nurse "nipped" the last one with scissors, causing lots of blood, and ultimately, it's demise.
I wasn't yet done with treatment, and because of the multiple PICC lines, trouble drs have putting them in, and my body's tendency to fake being better, I have a medi port in my chest now.
-------------------- Sometimes when I say �Oh, I�m fine� I want someone to look me in the eyes & say �tell the truth�
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