feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
I'm set to have another PICC line placed on Thursday. My first PICC in 2007 was placed in the bend of my arm.
I hated it! my line was constantly getting blood back up....was heparin flushing 4-6 times per day..
I see others have had their PICC's placed in the upper arm.....was even told that this is the most common and comfortable placement.
I am in rural MI and the Pain and Procedure dept. at the hospital does the bend in the arm placement.
they have agreed to put this line in the upper arm but now I'm feeling a little pensive about it, wondering if this will go off w/o a hitch, seeing as they aren't used to doing this..
wondering where your line was placed?????
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
I thought Piccs were always placed in the upper arm....I have had 3 all in the upper right arm......no problems with them......
-------------------- Oct 09 Positive CDC Western Blot Jan 10 Positive Babesia Duncani Jan 10 Cd57 28 Mar 10 EBV, IgM, IgG HHV-6 IgG Posts: 739 | From NC | Registered: Oct 2009
| IP: Logged |
sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
My PICC is inserted about 4in above the bend in my right upper, inner arm. I believe it would be more annoying and uncomfortable if it were in the bend of my arm.
Feelfit, try not to worry too much about your procedure on thursday. I know, easier said than done. Many of us are so used to being responsible for our own care that it is hard to trust and allow others to help us.
I'm sure that the RN or Radiologist scheduled to place your PICC will be well trained and highly experienced. This is what these people do all day, every day.
Take care feelfit Let us know how everything turns out.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
| IP: Logged |
feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
thanks Sammy and florence....I'm not a novice as far as Picc line and IV's go.
The one that i had at the elbow bend WAS very uncomfortable....my doctor says that the local hosp. always places them there.
She has ordered mine to be placed in the upper inner arm....ty sammy for reminding me that a nurse should *know* how to do this.....
i'll keep telling myself to *breathe*.....
Okay, will report back on Thursday afternoon
remember that I am now in Rural America Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
| IP: Logged |
Dawn in VA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9693
posted
Mine were all placed in upper arm area, ~ 2/3 up from my elbow and ~ 1/3 below my armpit. A couple of stitches in too via some sort of small plastic "holder" device on my arm to prevent the line from being pulled out (or pushed further in I guess, too).
UGH! I can't imagine having one in the bend- sounds SO uncomfortable.
PS If in this rural place o' yours you have an oncology dept at the hospital, I've heard it's good to have PICCs and other such things put in there b/c those docs do it so often. I'm sure you know, but just in case- always have it placed with live X-ray going so the doc can see exactly where it is.
-------------------- (The ole disclaimer: I'm not a doctor.) Posts: 1349 | From VA | Registered: Jul 2006
| IP: Logged |
aklnwlf
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5960
posted
Left inner upper arm about 3 or 4 inches above the crease of my elbow. Had no problems with it at all.
-------------------- Do not take this as medical advice. This comment is based on opinion and personal experience only.
Alaska Lone Wolf Posts: 6164 | From Columbus, GA | Registered: Jul 2004
| IP: Logged |
feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
thank you everyone....I am having it put in at the pain and procedure dept.....which encompasses oncology...
my doctor has written orders for upper arm....
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Mine was placed by a doctor in Interventional Radiology of local hospital- upper left arm, inner, 4 inches above bend of elbow- as several here have mentioned.
I have become much more of my own advocate. Whenever I am in a position to have a regular IV I refuse to let them put it in my hand-that's just plain lazy of them. I know I have good veins in my arm and it hurts a lot less.
Posts: 365 | From Sylvania | Registered: Aug 2008
| IP: Logged |
sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
JR, they usually start peripheral IVs in your hand first so that if you need another line later on they can work up the arm. It's not out of laziness.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Let us know how everything turns out.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic